Georgia Coach Hints at Possible Changes with Gunner Stockton at Quarterback vs. Notre Dame
The No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs prepared to face the No. 3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Wednesday night at the Sugar Bowl with a trip to the College Football Playoff semifinals on the line.
The Bulldogs will be without starting quarterback and former Heisman candidate Carson Beck vs. the Irish, putting the onus on new starting quarterback Gunner Stockton to play his best under the bright lights in New Orleans.
Recently, Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo shared practice intel on what the Bulldogs are doing to make Stockton, a former four-star prospect, comfortable heading into the showdown between two iconic programs.
Gunner Stockton runs vs. Texas in the SEC Championship Game.
© Joshua L. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
“Moving into this game prep, things are centered around him and his strengths and what he does well,” Bobo said during a Sugar Bowl press conference Saturday.
Stockton’s running skills could beget more designed QB keepers against the Irish.
“Things are a little bit more specific to him. Questions are asked to him whether he likes this scheme or this play going into practice and whether we carry it or not.”
The Bulldogs are favored by one point, but things could get dicey if Georgia’s run game doesn’t play up to its capabilities and Stockton isn’t able to settle in under the bright lights vs. a talented Notre Dame defense that ranks eighth in the nation.
The Bulldogs rank 11th in passing offense nationally but 99th in the run game, averaging just under 130 yards on the season.
“It’s frustrating,” Bobo said. “We pride ourselves on being able to run the ball. I can sit here and give you a lot of reasons but all they would be is excuses, point blank.
“We’ve got to be able to run the ball if we want to continue to win in these playoffs.”
