Rather than padding stats vs. teams that have no business playing in the Big Ten, Gunner Stockton has shown up time and time again to deliver one big win after another for the Georgia Bulldogs. Although the game was hanging in the balances for a while, Stockton and the Bulldogs prevailed over the Texas Longhorns to improve to 9-1 on the year and 7-1 in SEC play. He was simply outstanding.
It was 14-10 Georgia in the fourth quarter, then Stockton decided he wanted to win this one big. Georgia scored 21 unanswered points in their biggest statement game to date by humiliating Texas, 35-10. Stockton completed 24-of-29 passes for 229 yards, four touchdowns and an interception. He also had six carries for 29 yards and another rushing touchdown. Stockton is unreal in the red zone.
For as much hoopla as there has been around the four other quarterbacks everyone and their brother wants to give the Heisman Trophy to in Ohio State's Julian Sayin, Indiana's Fernando Mendoza, Texas A&M's Marcel Reed and maybe still Alabama's Ty Simpson, Stockton deserves at least a seat at the table, possibly taking the one that had long belonged to Simpson. Get this guy to New York, please!
Stockton could not be a better fit in Mike Bobo's offense, and it is only his first season as the starter.
Gunner Stockton is everything you would want out of a Heisman hopeful
No, it has not been perfect, but Stockton continues to grow and mature with every passing start. Of his nine victories on the season, three are what we would consider to be of the signature variety. Those games in question were over Tennessee, Ole Miss and now Texas. All three of those teams were ranked at the time. All three will be ranked heading into the 13th week of the college season.
Assuming Georgia Tech does not throw up all over itself between now and Black Friday, the Yellow Jackets should be seen as a fourth potential signature victory for Stockton and the Dawgs. Right now, there is not a player in the SEC who has greater command of his offense than Stockton has with Georgia. He has eclipsed both Reed and Simpson in that regard. What a tremendous week for him!
As far as if he could catch either Mendoza or Sayin out of Big Ten country, people really want to hang that three-point home loss to Alabama on him. Had he completed one, maybe two more passes, Stockton would be leading the No. 1 team in America and the favorite for the Heisman Trophy. People sure do love themselves some empty-calorie nonsense stats. This should be a narrative award, y'all.
Stockton is not going to win the Heisman Trophy this season, but he has earned his seat at the table.