By Ansley Gavlak
Georgia Sports Communications 

Gunner Stockton waited his turn to become Georgia’s starting quarterback, and it proved to be every bit worth the wait in No. 5 Georgia’s 45-7 season-opening win over Marshall on Saturday afternoon. 

In his first start between the hedges, Stockton threw for 190 yards and two touchdowns, while also leading the Bulldogs on the ground with 73 yards and two scores of his own.

“It’s always a different feeling when you’re starting,” Stockton said. “This was a dream come true, and I enjoyed it for sure. We won a ball game, so we had fun, but we’ve got to get better each week.”

Stockton wasted no time demonstrating his dual-threat ability. On the opening drive, the redshirt junior connected with USC transfer Zachariah Branch for a 25-yard gain before scrambling 14 yards to convert a fourth down. The following drive, running back Nate Frazier helped move the ball down field, setting up Stockton for a 13-yard rushing touchdown– the first of his career. 

“He’s got a lot of fire, passion and energy,” head coach Kirby Smart said. “I think you saw it on some of those runs, how bad he wants it, how bad he competes.” 

In the second quarter, Stockton’s legs brought him into the end zone once again, marking the first time a Georgia quarterback has scored two rushing touchdowns in a game since Stetson Bennett did in the 2022 National Championship Game. 

“I had to look at myself here and say, ‘Am I the running back here or is Gunner the running back here?” Frazier said. “Because Gunner was running the ball like a running back. I’m so proud of him.” 

Coming off a season in which Georgia averaged just 124.4 rushing yards per game, John and Alice Sands Offensive Coordinator Mike Bobo made it clear the Bulldogs were putting an emphasis on the run game throughout the offseason. That was evident from the start, as Stockton, Frazier and Dwight Phillips, Jr. combined for 45 yards on the ground in the opening drive alone. 

Stockton led a slate of nine different players who combined for 239 rushing yards, including strong showings from Frazier, Phillips and Chauncey Bowens, before he took the bench with two minutes left in the third quarter. 

Although he wasn’t perfect, the signal caller displayed agility and poise — making plenty of plays under pressure.  

“I’m proud of Gunner,” Smart said. “He got us out of some negative plays two or three times that we could have been sacked, and he escaped. He took care of the ball well, made good decisions, made good reads.”

In the passing game, it’s clear that Stockton has already developed a strong connection with his receivers. Branch, quickly proving to be a valuable transfer addition, emerged as Georgia’s top receiver of the day, finishing with three receptions for 95 yards and a 47-yard touchdown on a screen play. 

“I think everybody wants to complete every ball they throw,” Stockton said. “I think being able to throw the ball in any circumstance is a big thing.”

But it wasn’t just Stockton’s performance that stood out; it was his leadership and character that made it clear that he is already an effective leader and a guy the team respects.

“I know how hard he’s worked; he’s been waiting for his turn,” linebacker CJ Allen said. “He comes in every day with his head down, working.” 

Smart has echoed that praise from the moment Stockton stepped onto the field in last year’s SEC Championship Game after Carson Beck suffered an elbow injury. 

“Everyone on the team loves the guy because he’s genuine,” Smart said. “He’s genuinely him. He is who he is. He doesn’t try to put up a fake facade; he’s just a worker.” 

Although this was only a glimpse of what Georgia could look like under Stockton’s leadership, it showed signs of a promising season. As Smart said, “you get what you expect with Gunner” — and the Bulldogs expect big things.