Everything Georgia Football QB Gunner Stockton Said After UGA's 41-13 Win Over Oklahoma

 They played their butts off. Um, you know, they, they, uh, you know, they executed really well and, um, they gave us the ball with really good po- position a lot. So, um, you know, hats to them. They played their butts off. Very strong first half for the offense, but in the second half it seemed to kind of dissipate a little bit.

What was kind of the issues going on in the second half? Yeah, we didn't, uh, we didn't execute like we, like we were supposed to. Um, there's a couple plays that, you know, that was on me. I didn't get us in the right plays. Um, but definitely stuff to work on. Uh, Gunner, coming into this game- Good job

Oklahoma's defense was, uh, ranked top five in scoring defense, only giving up less than eight points a game. What were you able to see out of there to kinda carve this defense up for, you know, the amount of points that you were? Yeah, they, they're really good on defense. Um, they do a bunch of stuff. Um, this week was a...

It was a hard week to get prepared for 'em, but, um, I thought we did a good job executing. Um, definitely can get a lot better, but, um, I thought we did some good stuff. And how, how big was it that the defense gave you those short fields to work with, uh, to, you know, score those touchdowns? It was everything.

Um, our defense played their butts off, like I said, um, and gave us a really good position for a, for a score. Gunner, how important was it for you guys to capitalize off of those opportunities that were gifted to you by Oklahoma? It was. It was a big momentum plays, like, um, when our defense gets a, gives, gives us the ball in a good spot, we gotta capitalize, and I thought we did a decent job with that.

What was it like watching Chris Cole have the day that he did? And also, where did he get the nickname Tarantula from? Can you describe that? I don't know where he got it from, but uh, guy, he, uh, he played his butt off. Like, you know, just seeing him run to the ball and swarm the ball, it's, it's really about anything like I've never seen.

Um, I know it's, it's hard going against it in practice. So, uh, he played his butt off. Gunner, I don't think you missed a throw until, like, midway through the second quarter there. What have these first couple SEC games has done for your confidence level? Um, I think, you know, just trying to do what I do in practice and execute and, um, you know, if, if it isn't there, check it down or run or just kind of play, and each play like it's own.

No Nate Frazier out there today. How would you assess what the, the running back core did without Nate out there? Yeah, it was, you know, love to have Nate out there. He's a great, great player, great teammate. Um, but I thought, you know, Peanut, he, uh, Dwight, he, he had a great run. Um, you know, he, he played his butt off.

He's one of the most explosive guys on the field. Um, Chauncey had a, had a good day and, you know, Bo had a good, some good runs and, um, I thought they, they played really hard. Feels like there was a concerted effort to stay aggressive there in the second half, even with the lead you guys had going into the locker room.

Why was that so important to stay aggressive for you guys in the second half today? I think just kind of doing what we've, what we do all week and what we're prepared for and, um, you know, whatever's called and going to execute it. You had three explosive plays to Tylan Taylor today. What was it like unlocking that connection, and how did that help the offense for you guys today?

Yeah, Tylan had some great catches. Um, you know, he's been making plays all camp and all, uh, all this week and, um, I thought he had a, did a great job today. It's, it's fun to see him celebrate and, um, you know, be, be explosive. It looked like a couple times, guys, I don't know if it was a route that the wide receiver was gonna run and you guys kind of were supposed to have something understood and maybe you weren't on the same page.

Did you... Were there a few times like that today? Yeah, a couple. Um, it's kind of on me. I didn't, I didn't get us in the right play. Um, but definitely stuff to work on. Is that part of just 'cause it's Oklahoma's defense that makes it tough, they're disguising things? Or is that just still getting chemistry with these guys?

No, it's just, just on me. Is there anything like initial reaction that you're gonna look at the film as like, okay, after this game, what am I gonna look at individually for my performance and what to improve on when you look at the film? Um, I think definitely just the execution of getting us in the right play and, um, little stuff like that and where I, I know I, I should have done and, um, definitely can get better at that.

Did you guys get going on SEC play? You took some hits today. It's... Are you where you want body-wise? 'Cause I know that was a big focus into your off-season, is keeping your body strong as you get into these SEC games. Yeah. Um, you know, during the football season it's hard to keep weight on and stuff, but, um, my body's in pretty good shape right now, so I'm happy with that.

What did the preparation look like for this specific game? Yeah, it was tough. Um, you know, Oklahoma, they do a bunch of stuff on defense, so, um, you know, you have to be ready for a bunch of stuff. But, um, you know, just going back to just trust what you see and executing, so that's kind of it. What was it like fans out there today and the, the strikeout and just, just felt like the biggest home atmosphere you guys have had yet so far this season.

Yeah, it was awesome. Um, you know, coming out it was loud, like on defense, on third downs and, you know, even on second and first down, like they were loud all, all day. So, um, uh, they had a really big impact on, on the game. Were you frustrated at times in the second half with the way that y'all were performing?

I mean, I, definitely. Um, you know, when you don't execute the way you, you know, you think you should, um, I was kind of mad at myself and little stuff like that. Um, but definitely, um- How do you, how do you move past that part of it, kind of getting mad at yourself, so to speak? I mean, you can't... It'd be a mistake to, to stay that way.

Yeah, you gotta respond. Um, you know, it's not gonna be perfect and, um, just got to next play m- uh, mentality and just be in the moment. Gunner, what'd you see from Talon Taylor making some plays down field? Uh, how big of a boost is that to the offense? Oh, it was huge. Um, it was awesome, awesome seeing Talon, uh, make some plays and, you know, everybody knows he can do it and, um, it was nice to see him, see him go out there and have fun and make 'em.

We've seen more and more in Thomas Blackshear. What have you seen out of him coming out? Why is he earning his playing time and getting out there? I think just the way he attacks, you know, practice and every day. Um, you know, he's- he's really explosive, he's twitchy, and, um, he does... He runs some great routes and, uh, he's a great teammate, too.

Do you feel like you've gotten the tight ends involved the way you want to so far this season? Yeah. Um, I mean, we- there's a bunch of guys that can play winning football. And, um, you know, they're ph- physical in the run game and can do anything in the pass game. So, um, it makes it pretty hard for a defense.

Gunner, Georgia's had four blowout wins. What, what does that... What have you learned about this team in those four weeks? Is that indicated, indicate, indicative of how good this team is? Yeah. Um, you know, it's great. You know, really the scoreboard hitting the scoreboard, we got to play each, each week as its own.

And, um, you know, we're on to the next week. So, um, you know, we're not complacent by any means. Gunner, when your defense provides you with so many turnovers, like, what's kind of the, the energy and the assignment was... How does this help this d- this offense, you know, make a differ- make your job even easier?

Yeah. They, they did a great job today. Um, you know, John Ma- I talked to him after the game. He's, he's a great dude. I have a, a lot of respect for him and the way he plays. Um, but our defense played really good and, um, you know, gave us the ball in great position. And, um, it, we had to capitalize on a lot of it.

I wanted to ask about Peyton. He hit a 45 and a 49 today. How, how important is he for y'all? Oh, he was clutch. Um, you know, any time you can walk away with points is, is huge. So, um, you know, he's, he's the man. Gu- Gunner, Drew said it felt like the offense hit a bit of a lull in the, in the third quarter. From your perspective as the quarterback, just kind of what kind of kept y'all from getting this going much when you came out of the locker room?

Yeah. We hit a little bit of a lull. Um, definitely just being able to execute. Um, there's a couple plays that, you know, I should've, uh, checked that I knew I should have. Um, but definitely stuff to work on. Was there... It, it seemed like there was a lot of downfield shots there in that third quarter. Was that a conscious effort in the game plan?

Was that something you were trying to do? Just what was, what, what was the thought process behind taking so many of those shots downfield? Yeah, just take a shot. You feel like the explosive plays are, you know... That was the whole talk of the off-season, was be more explosive. You hit a couple of big ones today.

You feel like that's where you guys want it to be? Yeah. Um, definitely can get better. Um, you know, it doesn't have to be a 40-yard shot to have, be explosive. Um, you know, just getting it to our guys in space and they can make it explosive. So, uh, you know, just doing your job and getting the ball to them.

How well did you get to know Jared Curtis during his recruiting process? He's going to be coming here next week with Vanderbilt and, uh, I don't know if you had a chance to see him g- get a chance to start in the SEC. Yeah. Um, I, I met him a couple times. Um, you know, I think he's a really good guy. Um, you know, I hadn't, I hadn't really seen any, much film on him yet, um, or watched their game, but definitely will be able to.

Thank you. Appreciate y'all. Thank you.