Georgia did it again. After most analysts picked Texas to exact revenge on the Dawgs for the beating administered in Austin, the Bulldogs and Gunner Stockton had other plans.

The atmosphere for the SEC Championship at The Benz seemed very different this year. The crowd had a significant majority of folks in Red and Black, but based on resale ticket prices, demand for the game is not as strong as in the recent past. Some fans might have chosen between attending the SEC Championship or husbanding resources for the championship playoff run. However, as the kickoff approached, many(but not all) empty seats filled.

UGA won the toss and deferred. Texas moved down the field, relying on its passing game, but Daylen Everette intercepted, and Georgia took over on the Texas 33. On 4th down, Carson Beck attempted to draw the Longhorns offsides but failed; a punt followed.

The Dawgs stuffed the ‘Horns on the first two downs of the next series, then gave up a 50-yard pass to put Texas in scoring position. Georgia then stiffened and forced a field goal. Texas grabbed a 0-3 with 5:17 in the first.

Georgia punted to Texas. Touchback. Texas hit another long pass to the Dawgs’ 37 as the first quarter ended. The ‘Horns ran 5 minutes off the clock before cashing in with another field goal. At that point, at least, Georgia had kept Texas out of the endzone.

The Red and Black started on their own 25. Beck went to Yurosek for 19 and moved the ball into UT territory. Beck then rolled and threw to Delp for a first down at the UT 30. Georgia cashed in on the fourth down with a 3-pointer. UGA 3, Texas 6 with 5:41 in the half. That drive made Carson Beck more comfortable in the pocket and with his throws.

Texas immediately started a drive aided by an unnecessary roughness penalty. On third down from Georgia’s 20, Dan Jackson broke up a pass and forced Texas to try a field goal. The kick flew wide left. UGA 3, Texas 6 with 4:36 in the 2nd quarter.

Kirby’s Dawgs returned to work but failed to gain a first down. After the punt and great coverage, Texas put the ball in play from their 19. Texas had made a first down on their 32-yard line at the two-minute warning.

Georgia got the ball back with 37 seconds in the first half. A pass interference penalty gave Georgia a first down on the Texas 47 with 8 seconds left in the half. After an unsuccessful play, the Dawgs got a shot with one second left. No luck.

Georgia never seemed to match Texas’ intensity during the first half, but has kept the game close; with some clever halftime adjustments, Georgia can take control of the game.

The Bulldogs received the second-half kickoff, and Gunner Stockton came on in relief of Carson Beck, who was injured at the end of the first half. Stockton moved the team down the field, drawing huge cheers with successful runs and some acrobatic catches and moving the ball inside the 10, where Trevor Etienne ran it in for the score. The drive covered 75 yards in 10 plays and began the legend of Gunar Stockton. UGA 10, UT 6.

The team is pumped and is urging the crowd to get loud. The crowd responded. Now, the defense is responding with energized play.

Gunner Stockton returned at quarterback, starting on his 33, but a punt followed. Texas returned the punt to the UGA 39, but a sack forced a field goal try that failed. UGA 10, UT 6.

UGA takes over on its 32 after the missed kick, and on the first play, Trevor Etienne scampers to the Texas 19; then on 4th and 3, they go for it and get it. However, the offense could not move the ball, and Georgia added another field goal.

The third quarter ended with Texas at the UGA 37. The Longhorns’ drive ended with Ewers passing up the middle for 41 yards to Moore up the middle. Texas tied the game.

Georgia came back down the field behind Stockton’s passing and the rushing of Trevor Etienne and Nate Frazier. From the 5-yard line, two plays gain two yards, making for a huge third down from the three. An Incomplete pass on the third down forced Georgia to kick a field goal and take a 3-point lead. UGA 16, UT 1.3

Texas got the ball and drove inside UGA territory, converting a fourth-down try to keep their game alive.

Georgia and Texas traded field goals to send the game into the first overtime period in SEC Championship history. Texas got the ball to begin overtime.

On third down, KJ Bolden stopped a Texas receiver for no gain. UT kicked the field goal to put Texas on top by three points, giving the Dogs a shot to win or send the game to another overtime. Then, on third down, Oscar Delp powers for a first down.

Next, Stockton runs up the middle before picking up a first down on the Dawgs’ four-yard line. On the next play, Trevor Etienne drove up the middle for the score and to cement Georgia as the 2024 SEC Champion.