Before the first round of the College Football Playoff began this year Gunner Stockton was the only QB in the CFP to have started a playoff game in his career. That gives him a unique advantage since no other QB knows what to expect when they take the field for the first time in the playoff like Stockton will.
Unfortunately Stockton didn’t have the best start last year when Georgia lost to Notre Dame in the quarterfinals. He didn’t play horribly as he completed 20 of 32 passes for 234 yards and one touchdown, but Notre Dame controlled the entire game and won fairly easily.
During Stockton’s press conference on Monday he was asked about how he’s handled that loss, and he expressed how he is using on that game as motivation for this year.
"I've had a bad taste in my mouth, to be honest, ever since."
Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton on how he handled the loss to Notre Dame last January: "I've had a bad taste in mouth, to be honest, ever since"
— Jordan D. Hill (@JordanDavisHill) December 28, 2025
Gunner Stockton draws on unique experience ahead of CFP matchup vs Ole Miss
It would be very easy for Georgia to overlook Ole Miss a little bit entering this matchup. The Bulldogs already beat the Rebels once this season and they are being predicted by almost everyone to beat them again. Ole Miss will also be without Lane Kiffin this time as well which will certainly impact their preparations.
But Georgia can’t afford to overlook them even if all of these factors are in their favor. Ole Miss is still capable of beating them, and if Georgia doesn’t give them their full attention then they could pull off the upset.
The good news is that Srockton doesn’t sound like he is overlooking them. And knowing how much the entire team looks up to him as a leader they will likely fall in line as well. So this is yet another example of why Stockton is the perfect QB for Kirby Smart and Georgia.