Georgia fans who were waiting to see Gunner Stockton turn loose with his legs may have to keep waiting.
Stockton didn’t run the ball a single time against Tennessee State, a notable pause for a quarterback whose mobility and toughness have become such a big part of his game. But in a 63-3 win over a tune-up opponent, Georgia had no reason to invite extra contact or dig too deep into the playbook.
That same approach could easily carry into Saturday’s matchup with Western Kentucky. Georgia is once again a massive favorite - 40.5 points as of today, per FanDuel Sportsbook - and if the Bulldogs handle business the way they’re supposed to, there may not be much incentive to unleash Stockton as a runner.
The opener showed exactly why his legs matter when Georgia needs them. In his first full season as the starter, Stockton’s running ability gave the offense something it had been missing since Stetson Bennett IV left: a quarterback who can hurt defenses with his feet and escape when plays break down. He used that part of his game over and over to extend drives and force defenses to think twice about settling into zone coverage or Cover 3 looks.
Against Tennessee State, though, Georgia didn’t need any of that. The running backs and receivers handled the heavy lifting, and keeping the quarterback out of harm’s way looked like the priority from the start. Stockton was out before the second quarter was even over, job done.
Western Kentucky could produce the same script. If the Bulldogs control the game, there’s little reason to suddenly ask Stockton to take off and expose himself to hits when this is really a chance to keep building the other parts of his game.
That means more work from the pocket, more reps going through progressions, more timing with the receivers, and more chemistry with an offensive line that is still coming together. Above all, it means staying clean.
The fuller version of Stockton - the one Georgia fans know best - is probably being held back for SEC play. Georgia’s conference opener at Arkansas is next, and then comes Oklahoma at Sanford Stadium. Those are the games where defenses may force Stockton to do more of what he does best: extend plays, escape pressure, and become part of the designed rushing attack.
So if Stockton looks a little ordinary again this weekend, that may actually be the point. Georgia knows what Gunner Stockton looks like when he’s really being Gunner Stockton. There will be plenty of Saturdays ahead when the Bulldogs will need all of it.
In Other News...
Georgia May Have Found An Unexpected Answer On The Offensive Line
Georgias offensive line got a fresh look in the opener against Tennessee State, and one of the more notable developments was true freshman Zykie Helton earning the start at right guard. For Kirby Smart, it marked the third time a true freshman offensive lineman has started a season opener in his tenure, another sign that Georgia has not been afraid to trust a young player when the competition and the preparation point in that direction.
Helton got there by putting together a strong spring and arriving early to get a head start, but his path has also been shaped by far more than football. He dealt with Crohns disease and major health challenges in high school, and Smart pointed to both his toughness and his growth as reasons he has worked himself into a meaningful role up front. For Georgia, the larger question now is how quickly that early opportunity turns into something lasting along the line. [Read more 🡒]
Stetson Bennett Gives Georgia Fans A Reason To Smile Amid NIL Anger
Stetson Bennetts climb with the Los Angeles Rams keeps giving Georgia fans a familiar reminder of how far the former Bulldogs quarterback can go. The Rams named Bennett their backup for the first time in his NFL career, a notable step for a player who became a staple of Georgias championship run and remains one of the programs most recognizable success stories.
Back in Athens, the week has brought a different kind of chatter, with Kirby Smart again leaning on his message about continuous improvement as Georgia prepares for Western Kentucky. But the online noise has centered on the Bulldogs NIL collective, Glory Glory Georgia, which put week one game highlights behind a $20 monthly paywall and drew criticism from fans who were quick to voice their frustration. [Read more 🡒]
Stetson Bennetts Rams Role Feels Less Secure Than It Looks
Stetson Bennett has officially opened the season as the Rams backup quarterback, but the label comes with a catch. Los Angeles listed the former Georgia star ahead of rookie Ty Simpson, yet Sean McVay was careful to frame the job as more of a shared space than a settled depth-chart victory, calling the two quarterbacks 2A and 2B.
McVay also made clear he will make the call if the backup is needed later in the season, which leaves Bennett in a familiar spot: present, but not necessarily secure. His contract runs out after this year, and the Rams seem to view Simpson as a real alternative rather than a long-term understudy, so Bennetts hold on the role could hinge on how the season unfolds. [Read more 🡒]