Georgia easily defeated Marshall in its season opener on Saturday, largely due to the performance of quarterback Gunner Stockton.
In his first start at Sanford Stadium for the No. 4 Bulldogs, Stockton scored four touchdowns in the lopsided 45-7 victory. The redshirt junior threw for two scores and ran for two more against the Thundering Herd.
“It felt different,” Stockton said following the game. “Running out as a starter is a lot different from hoping you’ll get in, but I really enjoyed everything about it. Glad today went the way it did.”
Stockton ignited the Georgia offense, making play after play to showcase his abilities as both a passer and runner. He completed 14 of 24 pass attempts for 190 yards and two touchdowns while also leading the Bulldogs in rushing with 73 yards on 10 attempts with two scores.
Stockton’s ability to escape the pocket and make plays with his feet didn’t surprise head coach Kirby Smart.
“Proud of Gunner. Great leader, great competitor,” Smart said. “Just does it the right way. Got us out of some negative plays. Had too many times that we could have been sacked, and he escaped. He took care of the ball well, made good decisions, and made good reads on his pulls. Continues to distribute the ball and did a nice job.”
Stockton scored his first rushing touchdown in the opening quarter when Georgia was up 7-0. He pulled the ball out of his tailback’s hands on a read option and darted 13 yards past defenders on his way to the end zone.
Following the score, it looked to some like Stockton pointed a finger at a Marshall player, appearing to taunt him. However, he explained later that he was actually pointing at wideout London Humphreys, who made a key block that helped him cross the goal line.
“Yeah, it was fun,” Stockton said of the moment. “We were playing football; it’s supposed to be fun.”
Stockton later threw a touchdown pass to Humphreys late in the third quarter, giving the Bulldogs a 38-0 lead after the PAT. He also threw a scoring pass to transfer wide receiver Zacariah Branch earlier in the third.
“He is a dog. When I got here, just seeing the workouts and the way that he was carrying himself day in and day out, I knew that he could be a threat in a run game and passing as well,” Branch said of his quarterback. “He can move. I’m definitely happy for him to go out there and be able to show his wheels and be versatile as well.”
Branch led the team in receiving with 95 yards on three receptions and a touchdown.
Stockton appeared thrilled to be at Sanford Stadium on Saturday.
“Being in the huddle with all the guys on the sidelines, and just enjoying the moment, and just chasing good memories,” he said of the experience.
Stockton hopes to continue his success at home next Saturday in a 3:30 p.m. start against Austin Peay.