ATLANTA – Georgia all but earned a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff after the Dawgs defeated No. 2 Texas in the SEC Championship by a final score of 22-19 in an epic thriller on Saturday defeated in extra time.

After a first-half nap, all eyes turned back to the game after Georgia quarterback Carson Beck was injured on the final play before halftime. Beck was later sidelined with a hand injury and sophomore quarterback Gunner Stockton answered the call.

Stockton immediately energized not only the Georgia offense, but also the Bulldog fans in attendance at The Benz. Stockton took over under center and led the Dawgs with a 10-play, 75-yard touchdown run, capitalized by a 10-yard touchdown rush by Trevor Etienne.

The Dawgs defense allowed a 41-yard touchdown in the final minutes of the third quarter, but otherwise came out strong against a strong Texas offense for the second straight game this season. The Dawgs also had two missed field goals.

Georgia executed a crucial fake punt on its own on fourth-and-5, which later led to a 21-yard field goal by Peyton Woodring with 4:35 to play. On the ensuing drive, the Dawgs’ Daylen Everette intercepted Quinn Ewers, but the ball was passed right back by a Stockton pick on third-and-long.

In the end, Texas went down the field with an 11-play, 47-yard drive in 2:12 and ended the game with a 37-yard field goal, tying the game at 16 and securing the SEC Championship for the first time went into overtime at all.

Georgia won the coin toss in overtime and held off Texas with a 32-yard field goal.

When the Dawgs got the ball back, Gunner Stockton took control on second-and-8, ran eight yards up the middle and took a massive hit to the helmet, ripping his helmet off and falling backwards on the first down. After being sidelined for one play, the injured Carson Beck came back into the game and handed the ball to Trevor Etienne for a four-yard score when everyone in the stadium knew a run was coming, securing Georgia the SEC by a final out -Championship title from 22nd to 19th

It is Kirby Smart’s third SEC title win as Georgia’s boss (2017, 2022, 2024).

• Georgia receives an automatic bid
• Georgia gets a bye in the first round
• Georgia will be #1 or #2 (depending on whether Oregon loses)
• The first CFP game would be the Sugar Bowl on January 1st