Texas took a 6-3 halftime lead against Georgia in the SEC championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday.

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck appeared to be injured on the final play of the first half when his arm and hand were hit while attempting a Hail Mary.

“He just said his hand got hit when he threw it there,” UGA coach Kirby Smart said. “The guy is completely out of touch with what people do in a situation like that. He needs to be aware of it.”

Smart said Beck “should” be able to return to the game, but the UGA Radio Network reported that backup Gunner Stockton is expected to play. The Bulldogs get the ball first in the second half.

The No. 2-ranked Longhorns dominated statistically, but a tenacious Bulldogs defense stubbornly kept them out of the end zone to keep the game close.

Texas advanced into Georgia territory on four of its five possessions, but managed only two field goals, Bert Auburn scoring 41 and 42 yards.

Georgia, ranked No. 5, saw Beck complete his first five passes before Texas was pressured and three dropped passes helped derail the UGA offense.

Beck completed 7 of 13 passes for 56 yards and drove the Bulldogs into Texas territory at one point, leading to a 44-yard field goal from Peyton Woodring that cut the Longhorns’ score to 6-3.

UGA received an upgrade before the game when Trevor Etienne, who was sidelined with a bruised rib, was made available.

Etienne is the Bulldogs’ leading receiver with three catches for 18 yards and four runs for 4 yards.

Halftime of the SEC Championship Game (StatBroadcast screenshot/Dawgnation)

Beck appeared to get a first down to the Texas 9-yard line, but Arian Smith dropped the ball. Two plays later, Wooding hit the field goal.

Texas outscored Georgia 260-54, with Quinn Ewers completing 16 of 25 passes for 228 yards with one interception.

“They’re not as good as we make them,” UGA coach Kirby Smart told the Georgia Radio Network at halftime.

“One thing about Georgia is they’re able to make adjustments,” ABC commentator Kirk Herbstreit said. “I know the receivers are struggling, but it’s not like they’re not able to make plays.”

Texas hurt itself with 8 penalties for 80 yards, while the Bulldogs were rejected 2 times for 19 yards.

“Hopefully they call them for a game this time too,” Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian told ABC at halftime.

The winner of the game will play in the Sugar Bowl on January 1st at 8:45 p.m.

Two teams secured admission to the College Football Playoff with wins in their conference championship games.

Boise State defeated UNLV 21-7 in the Mountain West Conference Championship Game on Friday night, and Arizona State defeated Iowa State 45-19 in the Big 12 Championship Game earlier on Saturday.