TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Gunner Stockton delivered one of his sharpest performances of the season Saturday night, picking apart Alabama’s defense and making critical throws when Georgia needed them most.
In one of college football’s toughest road environments, Stockton completed 18 of 22 passes for 249 yards and a touchdown while adding another score on the ground, helping No. 2 Georgia secure a 20-17 win over No. 6 Alabama at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
The victory marked the Bulldogs’ first regular-season win over the Crimson Tide since 2007 and their first in Tuscaloosa under head coach Kirby Smart.
Stockton finished with an 81.8% completion rate, with his lone interception coming on a deflected pass. He also rushed six times for 12 yards, contributing to 261 total yards of offense.
Beyond the numbers, Stockton’s poise and execution in critical situations stood out.
“He’s a cold-blooded, cold-blooded killer,” Georgia safety Khalil Barnes said. “We see it every day.”
Barnes spent the offseason competing against Stockton in practice and wasn’t surprised by what he saw Saturday night.
Neither was Smart.
“He had a couple plays that, hey, they didn’t work out. He didn’t let them affect him,” Smart said. “He doesn’t let things fester and affect him. And when he’s gotta stand in there and throw a bullet and make a play, he was able to do it tonight.”
Stockton Comes Through on Third Down
One of the biggest differences Saturday night was Georgia’s ability to extend drives, particularly when Alabama’s defense had opportunities to get off the field.
The Bulldogs converted seven of their 13 third-down attempts, with Stockton completing nine of 10 passes for 104 yards in those situations. Six of those completions resulted in first downs, and Alabama failed to sack him on a third-down attempt.
Stockton’s efficiency was especially important late in the game, when Georgia needed to maintain possession and protect its narrow lead.
One of his biggest throws came in the fourth quarter, when he connected with tight end Elyiss Williams on third down to help the Bulldogs run out the clock.
“Saw a little window to be able to throw it in there, and definitely Elyiss had a great catch and came down with that,” Stockton said. “So that was pretty special.”
Rather than playing conservatively with a three-point lead, Smart wanted Georgia to stay aggressive.
“I told Mike (Bobo), be aggressive. We’re not playing to run it and punt,” Smart said. “We’re gonna try to win the game right now.”
Smart credited the Georgia offensive coordinator for the play call and Stockton for executing it.
“The call on third down, backed up, won the game,” Smart said. “Who makes that call? He did, and who executes it? Gunner did, so I think both those guys deserve a lot of credit.”
Moving Past the Mistakes
Despite his efficient passing numbers, Stockton had a few moments he’d like to have back.
He threw an interception on a deflected pass and nearly had another picked off on an underthrown ball. Georgia also dealt with penalties and other offensive miscues that put the Bulldogs behind the chains.
But Stockton didn’t allow those mistakes to affect his approach.
“I think definitely, at least for me, throwing a pick and almost another one, just trying to always respond, not dwell on the bad moments and just learn from them and move on,” Stockton said. “Don’t let it carry over in any emotion. It’s easier said than done, but definitely just trying to do that.”
Stockton continued to spread the ball around, connecting with multiple receivers while making adjustments at the line of scrimmage. He also contributed with his legs, scoring a rushing touchdown to help Georgia keep pace with Alabama.
The senior quarterback credited his chemistry with the receiving corps to their work together in practice.
“A lot of work put into it,” Stockton said. “I don’t know if every ball was a dime, but they definitely made some plays. Definitely can do better at that.”
Smart said Stockton’s ability to move on from mistakes has improved with experience, particularly in high-pressure situations.
He pointed to another important third-down conversion when Stockton connected with Craig Dandridge near Georgia’s sideline despite tight coverage from one of Alabama’s top defensive backs.
“The one conversion to Craig over on our sideline on their best corner,” Smart said. “He threw a hitch over there, and we just got enough for first.”
Those plays weren’t always spectacular, but they kept Georgia’s offense moving when it mattered.
A Special Win in Tuscaloosa
Saturday’s matchup also drew plenty of attention to Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell, who had improved considerably through the Crimson Tide’s first five games.
Stockton said he paid little attention to the outside discussion surrounding the two quarterbacks.
Following the game, Russell waited for Stockton to finish his television interview before congratulating him on the victory.
The gesture impressed Georgia’s quarterback.
“He was awesome,” Stockton said. “I try to do better with that, try to shake the quarterback’s hand no matter what. Just seeing that at a younger age is pretty special.”
Stockton also acknowledged the significance of winning in Tuscaloosa, particularly for Smart, who spent nine seasons as Alabama’s defensive coordinator before returning to Georgia.
“At the end of the day, you just want to win, but definitely there’s a little icing on the top,” Stockton said. “Definitely a special win.”
The Bulldogs improved to 6-0 with the victory, but their attention will quickly turn to another SEC matchup against Auburn next Saturday.
For Stockton, the focus remains on improving, regardless of what happened against Alabama.
When asked whether Saturday’s performance proved anything about himself, the quarterback offered a simple answer.
“I hope I proved I never quit,” Stockton said. “I love my team and just keep playing.”
