There are always a handful of concerns when it comes to a first-year starting quarterback, especially when he goes up against notable conference foes for the first time. Through his first five starts of the season, Gunner Stockton has led Georgia to a 4-1 record and a 2-1 mark in SEC play. His biggest win so far was on the road at Tennessee in Week 3. His only loss was a narrow one at home to Alabama.
While he did not have to empty the chamber vs. Marshall and Austin Peay in the non-conference, Stockton has looked the part going up against the Volunteers, Crimson Tide and most recently the Kentucky Wildcats. Of course, playing on the road at Auburn is not going to be easy. He may be asked to do more than he is probably ready for. It could come down to how well he distributes the football.
Here is a look at how many Georgia players recorded at least one reception every game they played.
- Marshall Thundering Herd (12): Zachariah Branch (3), London Humphreys (3), Oscar Delp (2), Colbie Young (2), Chauncey Bowens (2), Elyiss Williams (1), Thomas Blackshear (1), Cash Jones (1), Sacovie White-Helton (1), Tyler J. Williams (1), Lawson Luckie (1), Dillon Bell (1)
- Austin Peay Governors (9): Young (7), Jones (3), Humphreys (3), Noah Thomas (3), Branch (3), Talyn Taylor (2), Nate Frazier (2), White-Helton (2), Bell (2)
- Tennessee Volunteers (9): Branch (5), Young (4), Bell (4), Luckie (3), Humphreys (2), Jones (2), Delp (1), White-Helton (1), Bowens (1)
- Alabama Crimson Tide (5): Young (4), Bowens (4), Branch (3), Humphreys (1), White-Helton (1)
- Kentucky Wildcats (9): Bell (4), Branch (4), E. Williams (3), Humphreys (2), Delp (1), Jones (1), Frazier (1), Young (1), Bowens (1)
In all four of Georgia's victories this season, the Dawgs have had nine different players record at least one reception. In their lone defeat on the year, only five players came down with a grab. Zachariah Branch, London Humphreys and Colbie Young are the only Georgia players with at least one catch in every game. Dillon Bell and Cash Jones have recorded receptions in every game Georgia has won...
Not to say Bell and Jones need more targets, but spreading the ball around is how Georgia will win.
If Gunner Stockton can hit six or more receiving targets, Georgia will win
Water will find its level here. The big question is if that number of receivers with a catch needs to get to nine, or just exceed five... Since Georgia narrowly lost to Alabama at home, let's say for the sake of argument that connecting with six different receivers is the line of demarcation here, as opposed to completing balls to nine different players. Let's unpack why distributing the ball is important for him.
What this does is not only put more pressure on the opposing defense, but it will open up more running lanes and clearer throwing windows for him to deliver the ball to. Where Stockton can get in trouble some times is not being able to make his second reads effectively. There are times where he locks onto a receiver. Many quarterbacks do it, so he is not alone in that. However, it cannot happen.
Georgia does not need its offense to get stuck in the mud on the road vs. Auburn when the home underdog Tigers are thinking upset. Again, Stockton's counterpart in Jackson Arnold is going to have to beat them. However, Stockton cannot play down to his competition vs. Auburn. He needs to prove to everyone in Dawg Nation he can win another tough game like this on the road vs. SEC competition.
Right now, if he can get Bell and Jones involved in the receiving game, Georgia might have this one.