When The Lights Are Bright Gunner Stockton "Doesn't Flinch"
Real Georgia Fans Don’t Miss the Dawg Post Newsletter - Sign up now!
ATHENS - After a really tough performance in Atlanta against the Yellow Jackets, Gunner Stockton had to rebound in the SEC Championship game.
The Dawgs were rolling defensively, but the offense needed to bounce back in a major way.
Even after Stockton’s worst game of the season, offensive coordinator Mike Bobo had no doubts about his quarterback.
“He's an extremely tough individual”, Bobo told the media that week. “Mentally and physically, and that's what you want in that position. A guy that's tough. You also want a guy that's humble and goes to work every day. He doesn't need to be told that he's the greatest. He doesn't flinch if you get on him. He doesn't get too high. He just goes to work. And that's the thing I've been proud of.”
Stockton showed plenty of that mental and physical toughness last season. He still needs to improve his decision making and play overall, but his toughness and clutch play is undeniable.
Two of Stockton’s best drives last season came on the road in the 4th quarter. Up In Knoxville, Stockton was 8/10 in the 4th quarter for 98 yards. Everyone remembers Stockton’s perfect 4th and 6 touchdown pass to London Humphreys, but that wasn’t the only big throw Stockton made on that drive.
Before tying the game on a perfectly-thrown ball to Zachariah Branch on the two-point conversion, Georgia had a 2nd and 12 from their own 38-yard line. Stockton stood firm in the pocket and delivered a strike to Sacovie White-Helton to keep the chains moving.
Shortly after that, Stockton hit Dillon Bell on a 3rd and 7 screen pass where Bell did most of the damage.
Then came the pass. With Neyland Stadium rocking and the game on the line, Stockton didn’t flinch. He delivered his best throw of the game in the biggest moment.
He did the same in Jordan-Hare Stadium too. In the 4th quarter at Auburn, Stockton was 9/11 for 81 passing yards. The Dawgs were also 5/8 on 3rd down in the game’s final quarter.
Up 13-10 with ten minutes to go, Stockton hit London Humphreys for 17 yards on a massive 3rd and 8 on their own 27. It was the game’s biggest play at the time. Once again, Stockton didn’t flinch.
Shortly after that Stockton found Branch for six yards on key 3rd and 4 around mid-field. The chains kept moving. After that, Stockton connected with Humphreys on a massive 4th and 3. The chains kept moving, and time was ticking on the Tigers.
But Stockton wasn’t done. The Auburn faithful knew what was coming. They had seen this game before. After converting another third down, this time finding Nate Frazier on a 3rd and 1, Stockton delivered the dagger as he dove into the end-zone for the game-clinching touchdown.
In a wild, rabid environment, Stockton came through again. He led the Georgia offense on a 16 play, 78-yard drive that took 8:45 off the clock.
That’s what he does. The lights are never too bright. He’s never too up, never too down. He’s in control of his environment.
There’s obviously room for improvement as a passer, as expected, but Stockton has the traits of a big-game quarterback. He’s shown it before and he’ll have opportunities to show it again in 2026.
Going to Tuscaloosa won’t be easy. Oxford won’t be either. However, it’s clear Stockton is capable of playing well in tough environments.
