Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck was injured in the first half of the SEC championship game, giving Gunner Stockton the keys to the Georgia offense. Stockton performed admirably, reawakening the UGA offense and leading the Bulldogs to a 22-19 overtime win.
Given Beck’s injury severity, Stockton could start a playoff game or multiple games. Former ESPN analyst David Pollack believes that might be beneficial for Georgia due to the energy Stockton brought to Georgia.
“I am not saying Carson Beck is not good … but Carson Beck is absolutely a flatliner,” Pollack said in a video posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. “He is not emotional. … When my quarterback gets juiced up, I love it. I rally behind it. When Gunner runs to the right on his first drive and runs a guy over instead of running out of bounds and the sideline is jumping up and down like crazy, it infuses your team.”
Beck is never the kind of person who emotionally fluctuates, unlike Kirby Smart, but Stockton was immediately fired up when he entered the game against Texas. That kind of energy can be infectious to the team and the fans.
Beck has done admirable work to lead the Bulldogs to the No. 2 seed in the College Football Playoff and an 11-2 record, but it cannot be denied the effect Stockton’s animated demeanor had on this game.
The first-round bye gives Beck more time to heal, but if Beck is not healthy enough for the Sugar Bowl, Pollack suggests Georgia will be just fine with Stockton under center.
Gunner Stockton brings something DIFFERENT to Georgia’s offense.
That is no disrespect to Carson Beck. Feel like that needs to be put in print so no one gets it twisted here. pic.twitter.com/7MFtF9pfxP
— David Pollack (@davidpollack47) December 10, 2024
