Georgia wins SEC in OT thriller over Texas despite Carson Beck’s injury, earns bye in College Football Playoff

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No Carson Beck? No problem.

The Georgia Bulldogs earned a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff by winning the SEC championship game over Texas, 22-19, in an overtime classic.

Texas was held to a field goal on its first overtime possession, and Beck returned into the game on a first and goal because Gunner Stockton’s helmet had come off on the previous play. Beck handed it off to Trevor Etienne, who waltzed into the end zone for the victory.

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Trevor Etienne of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates his touchdown with teammates against the Texas Longhorns during the third quarter of the 2024 SEC championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlantat Dec. 7, 2024. (Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

Georgia was in trouble in the first half, and then it seemed to all come crashing down when Beck injured his arm on the final play of the half. Kirby Smart said Beck would not return with the Bulldogs trailing 6-3.

But Stockton’s first drive was storybook. He marched Georgia 75 yards in 10 plays, and Etienne rushed in for a score. It was the first touchdown of the game, and the Bulldogs had their first lead. Texas then missed a field goal, and Georgia added another three points to take a 13-6 lead just before the beginning of the final quarter.

Early in the fourth quarter, Quinn Ewers found DeAndre Moore on a quick slant, and Moore did the rest for a game-tying 41-yard touchdown. On the next drive, the Longhorns forced a three-and-out — or so they thought.

Gunner Stockton (14) of the Georgia Bulldogs stiff-arms David Gbenda (33) of the Texas Longhorns during the third quarter of the 2024 SEC