Gunner Stockton played an excellent second half during the SEC Championship game against Texas about a month ago. He was one of the biggest reasons why Georgia football was able to come from behind and knock of the Longhorns for the second time this season.
But this comeback win didn't come without a few scares. After Carson Beck was injured in the first half, the biggest fear for Georgia was Stockton suffering an injury and UGA having to pivot to their third QB. And that fear was almost realized during overtime when Stockton took a huge hit on the second to last play of the game.
This was one of the biggest hits in any game this season and it caused Stockton to miss the next play. Thankfully this was because Stockton's helmet came off on the play and not because he was injured, but the initial fear was that this hit could seriously impact his availability going forward.
But Stockton was able to walk off the field on his own power which was a great thing to see. And Notre Dame football QB Riley Leonard was very thankful to see Stockton get up and not be injured as well.
“I was glad to see him pop up. As I fellow QB, you’re always happy to see that.”
When asked about Gunner Stockton and the goal line hit in the SEC Championship, Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard said “I was glad to see him pop up. As I fellow QB, you’re always happy to see that.” pic.twitter.com/FaxKzKLdZS
— Anthony Dasher (@AnthonyDasher1) December 30, 2024
Notre Dame and Georgia appear to be on good terms
It's really cool seeing Leonard share this about Stockton, because at the end of the day he doesn't have to feel this way. All Leonard really needs to focus on is himself and Notre Dame, but to take the time to really care about the health of another player is really cool to see.
This doesn't mean he doesn't want to beat Stockton and Georgia on Wednesday as badly as Georgia wants to beat him, but it is nice to see that both teams want to win this game the right way. Both teams want to win when the other is at full strength, and those are always the best games that every fan wants to see in the College Football Playoff.
Sure Georgia will be shorthanded without Beck, but they have already shown they can be a great team with Stockton under center, so this game on Wednesday has all the makings of being one of the best games of the college football season.