For a second straight year, Georgia’s season has ended in the Allstate Sugar Bowl and CFP quarterfinals.
Ole Miss knocked off the Bulldogs with a 39-34 win after losing the regular-season matchup 43-35 on Oct. 18.
Georgia is nothing short of disappointed with the season finale, after multiple injuries and a long-awaited victory over Alabama for a second consecutive SEC championship.
Several key athletes on the 2025 roster weighed in on the Jan. 1 loss shortly after the game concluded.
Quarterback Gunner Stockton threw for 203 yards and totaled three touchdowns on Thursday night, with two rushing and one passing to wide receiver Zachariah Branch. During the postgame conference, he explained that he wanted to give his best efforts, despite the time left on the clock.
“When there’s time on the clock, we feel like we’re still in the game, and that’s what we did,” Stockton said. “I mean, just playing for everybody on the team and just trying to give my best effort.”
Branch totaled 67 yards on eight receptions against the Rebels, to cap off his junior season with 811 receiving yards and six touchdowns overall. The USC transfer also hauled in 81 receptions, a new single-season program record at Georgia.
“I don’t really take losses too lightly, I’m a true competitor, so I don’t like losing at all,” Branch said during his postgame interview. “We fought out there and tried to put our best foot forward, but just didn’t come out with the W.”
Branch elected to enter his name in the NFL Draft earlier this week but was “blessed” for the chance to play with the Bulldogs alongside his brother, Zion.
“It meant a lot, just to get the opportunity [to play here], for the program giving me a chance, and trusting in me to go out and make plays for them,” Branch said.
Senior wide receiver Colbie Young made his return to the field for the Sugar Bowl following a six-game absence after fracturing his leg early in the Oct. 18 matchup with the Rebels. Young is also departing the Bulldogs’ football program, as he has used his final year of eligibility.
Young hauled in three passes for 22 yards in the Sugar Bowl.
“It meant everything [to return],” Young said. “Unfortunately, this is my last game, and I got [the chance] to contribute to this team; I couldn’t ask for anything more.”
Young said that he will most remember the 2025 team for the efforts of both the coaches and players.
“The resilience of these guys and the leadership of the men I’ve been around are just amazing,” Young said. “The enjoyment of football that they brought to this team and to myself is unforgettable.”