No Carson Beck? No problem.

The Georgia Bulldogs earned a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff by winning the SEC Championship game against Texas 22-19 in an overtime classic.

Texas was forced to miss a field goal on its first possession of overtime, and Beck got back into the game with a first-and-goal because Gunner Stockton’s helmet came off on the previous play. Beck handed the ball off to Trevor Etienne, who stormed into the end zone and secured the win.

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Trevor Etienne of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates his touchdown with teammates against the Texas Longhorns in the third quarter of the 2024 SEC Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on December 7, 2024. (Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

Georgia was in trouble in the first half, and then everything seemed to come crashing down when Beck injured his arm on the final play of the half. Kirby Smart said Beck would not return as the Bulldogs trailed 6-3.

But Stockton’s first trip was a storybook one. He marched Georgia 75 yards in 10 plays, and Etienne rushed in for a score. It was the first touchdown of the game and the Bulldogs had their first lead. Texas then missed a field goal and Georgia scored another three points to take a 13-6 lead just before the start of the final quarter.

Early in the fourth quarter, Quinn Ewers found DeAndre Moore on a quick slant, and Moore did the rest for a game-winning 41-yard touchdown. On the next drive, the Longhorns forced a three-pointer – or so they thought.

Gunner Stockton (14) of the Georgia Bulldogs assists David Gbenda (33) of the Texas Longhorns during the third quarter of the 2024 SEC Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on December 7, 2024. (Butch Dill/Getty Images)

Georgia reached into its bag of tricks and faked a punt on the fourth and fifth line from its own side and converted. The Bulldogs parlayed that into a drive that lasted over nine minutes, almost as much time as they had the ball in the entire first half. And it ended with a field goal that gave the Bulldogs the lead by three with 4:32 left.

The Longhorns had plenty of time, but on third down Quinn Ewers threw an interception, giving Georgia the ball inside the Texas 30-yard line with 3:36 left. However, Stockton returned the favor on third-and-13, giving Ewers a chance to return the favor. The Longhorns got within field goal range, and Bert Auburn, who had previously missed two field goals, equalized and sent the game into overtime.

It was without a doubt Stockton’s biggest game of his life. His previous seven appearances have mostly been riots and meaningless contests. His previous career high in pass attempts was 12. On Saturday, he threw the ball 16 times, completing 12 passes for 71 yards.

Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton warms up before the SEC championship against the Texas Longhorns at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Dec. 7, 2024 in Atlanta. (David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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It was just a week ago when the Bulldogs went eight overtimes against Georgia Tech. Even though this one was shorter, it’s definitely a lot sweeter for the Bulldogs.

It was Texas’ second loss of the season. The first game was also on October 19th in Austin against Georgia.

It remains to be seen whether the Longhorns will play a home game in the first round of the playoffs. However, to do this they would have to lose at least seven places.

There is a possibility that these two teams will face each other a third time – in the national championship.

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