Big-Game Experience Is Key For UGA Football QB Gunner Stockton In Sugar Bowl
ATHENS - This time a year ago the Gunner Stockton era began.
After Carson Beck went down at the end of the first half of last year’s SEC Championship game, Georgia’s backup quarterback from Rabun County got the news he’d be leading the Dawgs in the second half.
Fresh off the bench, and with his team rallying behind him, Stockton led the Bulldogs to a thrilling 22-19 overtime win over Texas.
Stockton saved the day in Atlanta, but things didn’t go the same in New Orleans a few weeks later.
Now, Stockton has a full year of experience and big-game moments under his belt. He’s not being thrown into the fire this year. He’s battle-tested and has already played in and thrived on several big stages.
Georgia Bulldog head coach Kirby Smart said over the weekend that his impressive play this season should give him more confidence heading into the College Football Playoffs...
“Yeah, I think it was huge for him”, Smart told reporters. “I think it was really huge for the game at Tennessee. I mean, all the games he played this year, he created value through those experiences, even the second half of the SEC championship. Those are huge moments and huge atmospheres. But those were really good defenses, at Texas and Notre Dame, those two games, the game in the SEC championship and the game at the Sugar Bowl. So they certainly created confidence for him. How much that transitions to this year, I think it's way more about the games he's played in this year already.”
Stockton has certainly had his clutch moments this year. The 4th and 6 touchdown pass in Knoxville still might be the biggest play of the year. When the game was on the line, Stockton came through again and again, leading the Dawgs to their ninth-consecutive win over the Vols.
On the road at Auburn, Stockton led several efficient second-half drives including a diving “superman” touchdown run to secure the victory. Once again, when Georgia needed him most, on the road in the SEC, Stockton came through.
Stockton completely dominated the Ole Miss defense, was terrific against Texas, played winning football against the Gators, and had no problem taking care of Mississippi State on the road in Starkville.
When the SEC Championship game rolled around Stockton threw for three touchdowns and had zero turnovers.
This isn’t the same Gunner Stockton we saw in last year’s Sugar Bowl. Like the rest of his team, Stockton is playing with confidence and is hoping to have a different result in the Big Easy next month.
