Georgia wins SEC Championship in OT thriller over Texas | Where they go next
ATLANTA — Georgia has all but locked up a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff after the Dawgs knocked off No. 2 Texas in the SEC Championship on Saturday in an epic thriller by a final of 22-19 in overtime.
After a snoozer in most of the first half, all eyes were locked back into the game after Georgia quarterback Carson Beck was injured on the final play before halftime. Beck was later ruled out with a hand injury, and sophomore quarterback Gunner Stockton answered the call.
Stockton instantly revitalized not just the Georgia offense but the Bulldog faithful in attendance at The Benz. Taking over under center, Stockton led the Dawgs on a 10-play, 75-yard touchdown, capitalized by a Trevor Etienne touchdown rush from 10 yards out.
The Dawgs defense allowed a 41-yard touchdown in the closing minutes of the third quarter but were otherwise stout against a strong Texas offense for the second straight matchup this season. The Dawgs were also aided by two missed field goals.
Georgia executed a crucial fake punt on fourth and five on its own 30, which later led to a Peyton Woodring 21-yard field goal with 4:35 left in the game. On the ensuing drive, the Dawgs’ Daylen Everette intercepted Quinn Ewers, but the ball was handed right back on a Stockton pick on third and long.
Texas ended up driving down the field on an 11-play, 47-yard drive in 2:12, ending on a 37-yard field goal to tie the game at 16 and send the SEC Championship into overtime for the first time ever.
Georgia won the coin toss in overtime and was able to hold Texas to a 32-yard field goal.
When the Dawgs got the ball back, Gunner Stockton took control on second and eight, running for eight yards up the middle and taking a massive hit to the helmet, popping his helmet off and falling backwards for the first down. Having to come out for one play, an injured Carson Beck reentered the game and handed the ball off to Trevor Etienne for a four-yard score when everyone in the stadium knew a run was coming, securing an SEC Championship title for Georgia by a final of 22-19.
It’s Kirby Smart’s third SEC title win as the head of Georgia (2017, 2022, 2024).
Georgia wins the SEC Championship
- Georgia gets automatic bid
- Georgia gets a first-round bye
- Georgia will be the No. 1 or No. 2 seed (depending on if Oregon loses)
- First CFP game would be Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1
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