The college football world will be fixated on the Big Easy this New Year’s Day as the No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs square off against the No. 7 Notre Dame Fighting Irish in a tantalizing College Football Playoff quarterfinal matchup. While the spotlight always shines bright on the CFP stage, it will be especially intense for one young man – Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton.
Stepping Into the Fire
The third-year sophomore signal caller has played sparingly so far in his Georgia career, biding his time behind established starters like Stetson Bennett and Carson Beck. But when Beck went down with a season-ending elbow injury in the SEC Championship Game, Stockton was thrust into action. He responded admirably, leading the Bulldogs to a gritty 22-19 overtime triumph over Texas.
Now, Stockton is poised to make his first career start on the grandest of stages against a Notre Dame defense eager to make a statement. Irish linebacker Jack Kiser made it clear they won’t be underestimating the young quarterback, even with his limited game experience.
“He’s not the veteran guy, but at the same time, he’s playing at Georgia,” Kiser said. “He’s their starting quarterback. He was a big-time recruit. I don’t think you can underestimate this dude at all.”
Jack Kiser, Notre Dame linebacker
A Mystery Man
Part of the intrigue and challenge surrounding Stockton is the limited film available on the young quarterback. He’s only appeared in a handful of games, mostly in mop-up duty, leaving Notre Dame without a complete picture of his tendencies and capabilities. Irish defensive tackle Howard Cross III acknowledged the difficulty in preparing for such an unknown commodity.
“I mean, we have limited film,” Cross said. “It’s kind of like having every piece of the puzzle except for one. We don’t really know if he’s a passing quarterback or a running quarterback. We know he’s good, but we don’t know what his tendencies are.”
Howard Cross III, Notre Dame defensive tackle
Still, what Stockton may lack in college experience, he more than makes up for in raw talent and pedigree. The former high school phenom amassed over 13,000 passing yards and 4,000 rushing yards in his prep career, accounting for a staggering 254 total touchdowns. His dual-threat abilities give the Georgia offense a new dimension that could pose serious problems for the Irish.
The Kirby Smart Seal of Approval
Despite Stockton’s inexperience, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart expressed unwavering confidence in his young quarterback. Smart praised Stockton’s decision making, accuracy, and athleticism, as well as the intangibles he brings to the position.
“He’s been raised around football,” Smart said. “He’s a coach’s son. All the players play harder for him. Do you make the players around you better is what you look for in a quarterback. I think he raises the skill level of everybody around him because of who he is. So that’s my reason for believing he’s a good quarterback.”
Kirby Smart, Georgia head coach
An endorsement like that from a coach as respected as Smart carries serious weight. If he believes in Stockton’s abilities and leadership, Irish defenders would be wise not to dismiss the young signal caller, even with his small college sample size.
A Bulldog Identity
Ultimately, no matter who is under center, the Georgia offense still boasts an identity built on hard-nosed, physical football. The Bulldogs feature a punishing ground attack led by Kenny McIntosh and Kendall Milton that wears down opposing defenses. Their veteran offensive line is battle-tested from three straight CFP appearances.
That balanced formula allows Georgia to ease young quarterbacks into the fire without asking them to carry the offense alone. Look for offensive coordinator Todd Monken to lean on the running game early to settle Stockton into a rhythm before taking calculated shots through the air.
“Georgia is Georgia,” Kiser said. “They are not going to change their offense because of one guy. They will add in different things, the read series, maybe a couple more QB draws. He’s a little bit more dynamic as an athlete. We just have to be ready for that and understand that there are more wrinkles than what you might see out of any other Georgia game.”
Jack Kiser, Notre Dame linebacker
The Stage is Set
The Sugar Bowl showdown between Georgia and Notre Dame already had the makings of an instant classic. But the added intrigue of Stockton’s first start raises the stakes even higher. It’s a rare moment where a prestigious program turns to an unproven talent on the biggest stage, where legacies can be cemented in a single game.
Will Stockton rise to the occasion and lead Georgia to a third straight national title appearance? Or will the bright lights and relentless Irish defense be too much for the young signal caller to overcome? By late Monday night, we’ll have our answer – and college football will have a new protagonist in its never-ending story, for better or worse.
