Despite 2025 being Gunner Stockton's first full season as a starting quarterback, many Georgia Bulldog fans were disappointed from the lack of downfield passing plays from the Bulldogs offense. Many blamed offensive coordinator Mike Bobo for an excessive amount of screen passes and QB runs called.
However, if you compare the first two games of this season against the first two last year, it seems fans might have actually gotten what they have wished for.
Gunner Stockton's growth as a pocket passer could take Georgia to the next level
Georgia began its 2025 campaign last year in a very similar way as 2026. They started the season with two home games against Marshall week one and FCS school Austin Peay week two. In those games, Stockton was to be broken into the starting position.
He had 15 total carries and led the team in rushing yards the first game against Marshall. In those 15 carries, he had a total of 86 rushing yards and two touchdowns. In 2026, Stockton's play tells a completely different story. Stockton has only had one carry this so far this season, a scramble that went for four yards.
Despite Stockton nearly playing the entire game against Austin Peay last season, he also has more passing yards in 2026 through two games than he did through two games in 2025. He has passed for 436 yards and eight touchdowns with no picks despite only playing the first half of both games this year.
He has also had an impressive completion percentage of 88 percent compared to his 69 percent completion percentage and 417 passing yards a year ago. Stockton also only had two passing touchdowns in those games in 2025, a fourth of what he has done in less playing time in 2026.
In short, Stockton's passing production has increased significantly and his rushing attempts have dropped beyond what anyone would have predicted so far. The downfield shots have been coming more frequently, and the receiver room has stepped up in the way that it needed to so far. Despite the competition being weak to start the season, it still brings valuable insight to the season since Georgia faced similar competition to start 2025.
The Bulldogs offense to start 2026 has looked much more smooth and impressive to start the season than it did a year ago. A lot of that success can be in thanks to Stockton and his ability to take full control of this offense.
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