ATLANTA — Georgia beat Texas on a drama-filled Saturday night to claim the 2024 SEC Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The Bulldogs won the conference title 22-19 in overtime on Dec. 7, as running back Trevor Etienne took a handoff from injured quarterback Carson Beck and followed his blockers to score from four yards out.
Etienne didn’t start because of a rib injury but responded when called upon when his team needed him most.
Georgia cornerback Daylen Everette was named the game’s MVP. Still, head coach Kirby Smart reserved his highest praise for Etienne, who rushed for 94 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner in the extra period.
“No disrespect to Daylen,” Smart said. “I know Daylen had a big game and got the MVP, but Trevor was the MVP because he came and said, ‘Coach, I want to play this game. I came to this school because I want to win a championship.’” Georgia did not play well in the first half and was fortunate to trail only 6-3 at halftime. The Longhorns had multiple chances to go up two scores, but the Bulldogs’ defense stepped up when the offense struggled.
After Beck was injured on the final play of the second quarter, Georgia had to rely on backup Gunner Stockton in the second half. Stockton played well, leading the Bulldogs on a touchdown drive to start the third quarter.
Georgia took a 10-6 lead and extended it later in the quarter on a field goal from kicker Peyton Woodring.
Texas had a chance to tie the game midway through the third, but the Bulldogs caught a break as Texas kicker Brent Auburn missed his second field goal. He missed his first attempt in the second quarter.
Georgia took a 13-6 lead into the fourth quarter, but Texas tied it at the 13:54 mark when quarterback Quinn Ewers fired a pass to DeAndre Moore Jr. across the middle for a 41-yard score.
The drama ensued shortly after.
The Bulldogs drained the clock on their next drive and relied on their run game. Freshman tailback Nate Frazier had two big runs before the offense stalled out, and Woodring hit a 21-yard field goal.
The drive was also kept alive on a pivotal play when Georgia faced a fourth-and-5. The Bulldogs ran a trick play in which wide receiver Arian Smith caught the snap in motion and rushed for a first down.
While holding on to a 16-13 lead, Georgia’s defense delivered a turnover as Everette grabbed his second interception. The Bulldogs regained possession with 3:36 left, but Stockton tossed a pick a few plays later.
Texas began its final drive with 2:17 left on the clock.
The Longhorns marched down the field, with Ewers completing several long passes. Texas caught a break when Everette was penalized for pass interference, putting them at the Georgia 14-yard line.
However, the Bulldog defense held strong, forcing Auburn to attempt a 37-yard field goal, which he made to tie the game and send it to overtime. The Georgia defensive unit stepped up again and held Texas to a field goal to start the extra period.
A few plays into the ensuing drive, Stockton dug deep and got down to the Texas 4-yard line as he rushed for a first down.
Stockton took a brutal hit, though, and his helmet came off. So, by rule, he had to sit out the next play.
An injured Beck returned to hand the ball off to Etienne. The rest became history.
Smart talked about his team’s resilience after the game.
“I don’t know that I’ve had a more mentally tough team. They just keep coming and keep coming.
They never say ‘die,’” Smart said. “I have a lot of respect for the leaders in that room because of what they’ve been through. Probably the hardest schedule in history that we’ve ever had. They endured it, they came out on top, and they fought their way through.”