KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Georgia head coach Kirby Smart had glowing words for quarterback Gunner Stockton following the Bulldogs’ dramatic 44-41 overtime win against Tennessee on Saturday. In what was Stockton’s first SEC road start, the young quarterback showed poise, resilience, and leadership under immense pressure — earning his coach’s praise for “growing up” in the heat of battle.
Stockton delivered a memorable performance, completing 23 of 31 passes for 304 yards and two touchdowns. He also added 38 rushing yards and another score on the ground, displaying his dual-threat ability. Perhaps most crucially, Stockton engineered Georgia’s comeback late in the fourth quarter, throwing a touchdown to cut into Tennessee’s lead before connecting with Zachariah Branch on a clutch two-point conversion to tie the game at 38. That resilience set the stage for the Bulldogs’ overtime triumph.
“He’s so tough, he takes shot after shot,” Smart told reporters after the game. “I thought he did a good job with the run game — his run game. It saved us on a couple of third downs. In the red area, he made a couple of runs. That plus-one run game can be big for us if he can protect himself. I thought he grew up tonight. He grew up a lot tonight.”
Stockton’s ability to balance composure with playmaking was a turning point for Georgia. While Smart acknowledged that there are areas where Stockton still needs refinement — particularly trusting the pocket and avoiding unnecessary scrambles — the head coach emphasized his belief in the quarterback’s upside.
“I want him to trust the pocket and stay in there, but that’s who he is,” Smart said. “I think we’re going to evolve with him. We can scramble and make some really big-time plays if he’ll keep his eyes downfield when he scrambles.”
Georgia’s win was not just a testament to team effort but also a defining moment for its new leader under center. Stockton’s ability to deliver in the clutch, with the weight of Neyland Stadium pressing down, gave the Bulldogs their ninth straight win over Tennessee and solidified his role as a rising star in the SEC.
Georgia now heads into its bye week before returning home to Sanford Stadium for a much-anticipated clash with Alabama on September 27. For Stockton, the challenge will only grow — but Saturday night proved he’s ready to shoulder the responsibility.
