ATLANTA – Gunner Stockton, a little-known backup who had barely played for Georgia, came off the bench after an injury to Carson Beck and led the No. 5 Bulldogs to an improbable 22-19 overtime victory over No. 2 Texas in the Southeastern Conference season championship game on Saturday.

The Bulldogs (11-2) won their third SEC title under coach Kirby Smart, but the trophy comes with an even bigger prize – a bye in the first round of the new 12-team College Football Playoff. Georgia entered the game ranked fifth in the CFP, but is now assured of playing in the quarterfinals of the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day looking for its third national title in four seasons.

“This team never says no,” said a jubilant Smart amid the confetti falling at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Texas (11-2, No. 2 CFP) failed to win an SEC title in its first season in the league and will host a first-round game on either Dec. 20 or 21. Both losses came to the Bulldogs. who prevailed 30-15 when the powerhouse programs met in Austin during the regular season.

But the big question for Georgia during the celebration was the health of Beck, the two-year starter who was sidelined with a throwing arm injury on the final play of the first half.

Stockton, a third-year student, had played just six games in his college career, all of which were just rehashes of overwhelming victories. He led the Bulldogs to a touchdown and two field goals before taking a hard hit on a run in overtime that sent his helmet flying.

“This kid is a winner,” Smart said of his replacement. “This child is special.”

Beck, barely able to lift his arm, came back into the game and scored the first goal at the 4. All he had to do – and apparently could do – was pass the hand to Trevor Etienne, who charged in end zone to end the first overtime game in the 33-year history of the SEC Championship.

Georgia topped the regular season, winning for the second straight week after posting a 44-42 victory over Georgia Tech in eight overtimes in the regular season finale.

This one was even sweeter, especially after losing his offensive leader.

Beck went down on a wild final play of the first half while trying to throw a ball into the end zone. Trey Moore knocked the ball away with a punch to his right arm, setting off a wild scramble that ended with a couple of sideways hits and a Georgia lineman ending up with the ball.

Even more concerning for Georgia, Beck remained on the turf holding his throwing arm while his teammates hovered over him. He eventually trotted slowly off the field, but Smart said his day was over.

Not quite.

After leading Texas to a field goal on the first possession of overtime, Stockton was forced to leave the game after a first-down run ended with a hit that ripped off his helmet.

Etienne took the handoff from Beck and drove the center forward. The stricken quarterback threw his left arm up in celebration, his right arm hanging at his side.

Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers threw for 358 yards but was sacked six times and threw two interceptions.

Take away

Texas: This has to really hurt the Longhorns, who missed a prime opportunity to cap their debut SEC season with a championship. The running game struggled to get anything going, finishing with just 31 yards on 28 carries. And there are a lot of questions about an offensive line that gave up a total of 13 sacks in its two losses to the Bulldogs.

Georgia: The best thing for the Bulldogs is to get some extra rest for the playoffs, especially with Beck’s status in question. But kudos goes to Stockton, who completed 12 of 16 passes for 71 yards and made that huge run in overtime, throwing off an interception that gave Texas a chance to tie the game on Bert Auburn’s 27-yarder with 18 seconds left -Field goal scoring regulation.

Next

Texas: The Longhorns will certainly host a first-round game, but now must win four games to win a national championship.

Georgia: Smart says he plans to celebrate for perhaps 48 hours – instead of his usual 24-hour rule – because the Bulldogs won’t play for nearly four weeks.