Georgia Stuns CFB Fans with SEC Title Win vs. Texas to Clinch CFP Bye as Beck Injured

Despite losing starting quarterback Carson Beck to injury before halftime, No. 5 Georgia persevered and used a stout defense, a strong run game, an impressive effort from backup Gunner Stockton and even a little trickery to defeat No. 2 Texas 22-19 in overtime on Saturday in the SEC Championship Game.

Georgia running back Trevor Etienne, who missed the past three games with a rib injury, scored a four-yard touchdown run in overtime to seal the victory.

Beck suffered a hand injury after he got hit while trying to uncork a last-second Hail Mary pass to end the first half:

Stockton, the Bulldogs backup quarterback, had only thrown 35 passes over his two seasons in Athens before being thrust into the spotlight with his team down 6-3 at halftime.

Stockton passed his first test with flying colors, leading Georgia on a 10-play, 75-yard touchdown drive capped by a Trevor Etienne 10-yard run to begin the third quarter.

Both teams then traded punts, but Texas returner Silas Bolden brought the ball back to the UGA 39-yard line. The Longhorns only advanced six yards, though, and Bert Auburn then missed his second field goal of the game (a 51-yarder) to keep the score at 10-6 in Georgia's favor.

Etienne immediately broke off a 48-yard run that later set up a Peyton Woodring 24-yard field goal for a 13-6 lead right before the third quarter ended.

In response, Texas' offense finally broke through. Quarterback Quinn Ewers went to work, first finding Matthew Golden for 25 yards before later hitting DeAndre Moore Jr. for a 41-yard touchdown.

After the PAT, Texas and Georgia were tied at 13 with 13:54 left.

UGA then executed an impressive 16-play, 72-yard drive that killed 9:22 off the clock. The play of the drive (and maybe the game) was a fake punt on 4th-and-5 from the 30-yard line in which offensive lineman Drew Bobo took the snap and shoveled the ball to Arian Smith for a nine-yard gain.

Georgia crossed into Texas territory and found more success running the ball, but the Bulldogs also got lucky twice after recovering their own fumbles.

The second one was nearly disastrous after Nate Frazier ran for 14 yards to the Georgia four-yard line on first down before Andrew Mukuba punched the ball out. Smith saved the day, though, with a recovery.

The drive stalled, but Peyton Woodring knocked home a 21-yard field goal for a 16-13 lead.

Georgia's defense then came up big, as Daylen Everette picked off his second pass of the game (this time on a 3rd-and-17 Quinn Ewers pass) to set the Bulldogs up for a win.

That immediately set the Bulldogs up in field goal range at the Texas 28, but disaster soon struck. Stockton, who managed the game well and made key throws to keep Georgia drives going in the second half, felt the pressure and threw a pass into Texas traffic. Jahdae Barron didn't let him get away with it, picking the ball off and returning it to the Longhorns' 34.

Ewers then went to work, converting a key first down on 4th-and-3 from the Georgia 48 after finding Moore for four yards. A key pass interference call later in the drive put Texas on the Georgia 14-yard line, but the Longhorns' attempt at a game-winning touchdown did not come to fruition after a Mykel Williams sack and two Ewers incomplete passes.

Auburn then hit the field for a 37-yard field goal and nailed it with 18 seconds left.

Georgia ran out the clock in response, and the game went to overtime.

Texas started with the ball and got one first down before the drive stalled. Auburn then hit a 32-yard field goal to give Texas a 19-16 lead.

Then it was Stockton's time to shine. He first completed three passes to get Georgia's initial first down before running for eight yards to the Texas four-yard line to set up first-and-goal. However, Stockton took a hit to the head and lost his helmet, so he had to leave the game for one play.

An injured Beck then returned, and he handed the ball off to Etienne, who scampered through an open gap for the victory.

In the box score, Etienne finished with 122 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns. Stockton completed 12-of-16 passes for 71 yards and a pick.

For Texas, Ewers connected on 27-of-46 passes for 358 yards, one touchdown and two picks. Matthew Golden caught eight passes for 162 yards, and Moore had nine catches for 114 yards and a touchdown.

Needless to say, it was an incredible win for the resilient Bulldogs, who assured themselves of a top-two College Football Playoff seed with the SEC title game win. Despite losing their starting quarterback, the Bulldogs found a way to win.

Fans, analysts and one notable head coach were impressed with their efforts, including some who shouted out Stockton.

As for Texas, it's a tough loss for head coach Steve Sarkisian's program, as the team won't be getting a first-round bye now. However, the Longhorns will certainly get a quarterfinal home game.

We'll all find out soon enough where everyone is going when the 12-team College Football Playoff is revealed Sunday at noon ET on ESPN.