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No. 2 Georgia is turning to backup quarterback Gunner Stockton as the team aims for a national championship.
Coach Kirby Smart confirmed on Monday that Georgia is gearing up for Stockton to lead the offense in the Sugar Bowl on January 1, where they will face No. 3 Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal. Stockton stepped in after starting quarterback Carson Beck sustained a right elbow injury during the first half of the Bulldogs’ narrow 22-19 overtime victory against Texas in the SEC title game on December 7 in Atlanta.
The Fighting Irish secured their spot in the quarterfinals by defeating Indiana 27-17 in the first round on Friday night. Smart emphasized that the focus for Stockton and the Bulldogs will be on preparing for Notre Dame. “The biggest thing is just competition at practice,” Smart noted. “The situations we put him in help him grow as a quarterback.”
On December 9, Georgia announced that Beck and his family were evaluating treatment options for the injury, which may include surgery. However, the team has not provided further details about the nature of the injury.
As of two weeks later, no updates have been shared by Beck or the University of Georgia.
“The only update I can provide is that they are still deliberating on their options and the decisions they need to make as a family,” Smart said.
5
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
ND
+1.5
+104
O 44
2
Georgia Bulldogs
UGA
-1.5
-124
U 44
Beck injured his throwing arm during the SEC title game but made a courageous return to execute the handoff on the game-winning play in overtime. Stockton briefly left the field after taking a hit that knocked off his helmet.
Despite his injury, Beck managed to hand off to Trevor Etienne for the decisive 4-yard touchdown run, although he could not lift his right arm afterward.
In his brief appearance against Texas, Stockton completed 12 of 16 passes for 71 yards, though he did throw one interception.
“I think we are who we are,” Smart stated. “We’ve played an entire season offensively. Gunner is a talented athlete, just like Carson. I don’t know how much that changes our approach.”
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