Gunner Stockton didn’t spend much time soaking in Georgia’s 48-21 win over Missouri. The quarterback sounded more interested in what still needs tightening up than in celebrating what the Bulldogs already did well.
Stockton said Georgia “executing pretty well” after the dominant victory, but he made it clear there’s still plenty left to clean up. “We’re playing pretty good.
I feel like we’re executing pretty well. Definitely need to get better in some areas, but there’s always room to improve and to get better, and I thought today we went out and executed pretty well.”
He also pushed back on the idea that the Auburn loss was some kind of turning point. “I wouldn’t say that.
You don’t want to lose, but I think we never want to feel that feeling again in this stadium. I thought everybody kind of came out and played how they could play.”
One of the early sparks came from Raylen Wilson, who opened the game with an interception. Stockton said the play set the tone in a big way.
“That was awesome. I didn’t know it was his first pick, but just seeing him and the joy that everybody had for him was awesome, and definitely getting started at the five or maybe even closer.
That was awesome.
Georgia’s run game had to adjust without Drew Bobo, and Stockton credited Cortez for stepping in and handling the job. “Definitely not having Drew out there was tough but Cortez, he did a great job just stepping up and leading.
With Drew he’s one of our best leaders, so Cortez did a great job today. Missouri’s a really good football team, and they do a great job stopping the run, so that was a good part.”
Stockton also owned up to his own mistake late in the first half, when Kirby Smart showed visible frustration. “When you have a coach like that it makes a national title contender right there.
I just didn’t really execute and had a bad throw. But that definitely has to be better.”
He had plenty of praise for the skill guys around him, too. On Talyn Taylor’s catch, Stockton said, “It was crazy.
I thought it was one-handed just at first glance, but he ended up getting two on it. But, it was crazy.
It was a good catch, and it was a good throw, too.”
Isaiah Canion and Chauncey Bowens also found the end zone, and Stockton said they’re enjoying the work paying off. “They’re having fun out there. All the work that they’ve been putting in to get to where they’re at is”
Stockton was just as complimentary about Nate Frazier, pointing to the way he runs and carries himself. “His cuts that he makes and just, you can tell by the way he runs how he loves this football team. He’s a great teammate.
Craig Dandridge earned a mention as well. “He’s a great player.
You wouldn’t think he was as young as he is. Just the maturity he has and the way he attacks practice and meetings, anything.
He’s a great player, so.”
As for where Stockton wants to sharpen things, he said the focus starts with his own mechanics and decision-making. “My pocket movements.
I feel like it could’ve been a little bit better today, and I feel like protections I could’ve got us in a little bit better spot. And just that two minutes before the half just being a little better.”
He described Isaiah Canion as a receiver who changes the math on contested throws. “He’s explosive.
That first drive or the second one the 50/50 balls, they aren’t really 50/50 with Isaiah. Just the way he attacks the ball and goes after it.”
Stockton said the offense’s growth has come from staying locked in week after week. “I think just buying into the process and attacking each week and not going through a lull in practice and just making the most out of each day.”
And when it comes to the receiver room, he sees a group gaining confidence as the season moves along. “I feel like the confidence of everybody’s kind of grown a little bit, and it goes back to the way we attack practice and trying to attack each day. They’re making plays, they’re getting open, and finding a way to get it to them and let them be explosive.”
In Other News...
Georgia Suddenly Has A Real Offensive Line Decision Before Missouri
Georgias offensive front is suddenly in flux heading into Missouri, with starting center Drew Bobo downgraded to doubtful. That leaves Georgia weighing a few different options in the middle of the line, including Cortez Smith or Malachi Toliver, or shifting Helton over to center and making other adjustments around him.
For a team that likes to keep its protection and run-game structure as steady as possible, the timing is less than ideal. Georgia also listed Joshua Horton as questionable and Amaris Williams as out, so the Bulldogs may have to sort through multiple personnel issues at once before they take the field. [Read more 🡒]
Georgia Community Mourning After Tragic Loss Of Bulldogs Commit
The Georgia football community is mourning the death of Marcellus Young Casario, a defensive lineman at Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School who had already committed to play for the Bulldogs. His commitment in June marked him as one of the programs promising future additions, and the news of his death following a medical emergency has sent a wave of grief through the school and the broader fan base.
Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School confirmed the incident and said emergency protocols were followed, while support has been made available to students and staff in the aftermath. For Georgia, it is a sobering reminder that recruiting news can give way to something far more painful, leaving the program and its supporters to absorb the loss of a player they expected to see in red and black. [Read more 🡒]
Georgia Has One Lingering Injury Concern Before The Next Game
Georgias injury report ahead of the next game leaves at least one spot worth watching, with Drew Bobo listed as doubtful and Josh Horton still questionable. For a team trying to keep its footing in the stretch run, those designations matter because they can affect both depth and game-day flexibility, especially when the Bulldogs are already preparing for another SEC test.
The broader league picture added a little more uncertainty this week, too, after Ole Miss and Oklahoma had their game delayed because weather created travel problems and forced the SEC to announce a schedule change. Georgia is not directly involved in that matchup, but any shift in the conference calendar is a reminder of how quickly the rhythm of a season can change, and why the Bulldogs will be keeping close tabs on their own availability as kickoff approaches. [Read more 🡒]