Georgia edges Texas in OT to win SEC championship: Dawgs in line for College Football Playoff first-round bye

An injured Carson Beck came back for one play in overtime to hand the ball to Trevor Etienne for the game winner

ATLANTA -- Without starting quarterback Carson Beck in the second half, No. 5 Georgia rallied behind backup Gunner Stockton to beat No. 2 Texas, 22-19, to win the first SEC Championship Game to go to overtime.

Beck came in on the last play of the game after Stockton's helmet was knocked off in a brutal hit. Beck, barely able to lift the right arm he injured right before halftime, handed the ball off to Trevor Etienne for the four-yard game winner. 

With the win, Georgia (11-2) should get a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff, while Texas (11-2) will play a first-round game; whether the 'Horns host or take to the road remains to be seen. Georgia is now 2-0 this season against the Longhorns after winning 30-15 in Austin back in October.

In relief duty for Beck, Stockton went 12 for 16 for 71 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Etienne, back in a starting role after missing Georgia's previous three games, led the way with 94 yards and two touchdowns as Georgia's run game finally got going in the second half.

Quinn Ewers had 358 yards passing and a touchdown but also threw two interceptions. His second of the night was especially costly with Texas trying to rally with a little more than three minutes remaining in the game and immediately put Georgia back in field goal position.

CBS Sports was here with you throughout the evening. Be sure to read on below for takeaways from Georgia's win over Texas. 

[Dec 7, 2024 at 9:06 pm ET · John Talty]

Blown opportunities doom Texas

Texas had many opportunities to win Saturday but couldn't capitalize on multiple scoring opportunities and committed way too many penalties at the wrong time. 

Quinn Ewers threw two interceptions – one a fluky tipped pass, another just a bad decision. Bert Auburn missed two field goals on drives that should have resulted in points. The run game never got going against a Georgia run defense that is good but not great this season. Only 31 yards on the ground isn't going to get it done against quality opponents. 

Texas got hit for 80 first-half penalty yards –  the most the Longhorns have had in a half since a 2022 Big 12 game against Oklahoma State – and finished with 11 penalties for 94 yards. Even in overtime, Texas was never able to hit the big touchdown play and had to settle for a field goal, opening the door for Georgia to win it.

Texas significantly out-gained Georgia, 389-277, and the defense did a great job in the first half of styming Carson Beck and the Bulldogs. Texas could -- and should -- have won its first SEC Championship in its first season in the conference. But when you let a dangerous team like Georgia hang around, as it did in a first half the Longhorns dominated in every way, you can't be shocked when it eventually blows up in your face.

[Dec 7, 2024 at 8:20 pm ET · John Talty]

Beck's status looms large

Carson Beck's status looms large for a Georgia team that won Saturday's SEC Championship Game. Beck suffered a right arm injury on the final play of the first half when Texas defensive lineman Trey Moore sacked and stripped the ball from the Georgia quarterback. 

Kirby Smart said after the game that Beck struggled to grip the ball during halftime and has an "upper extremity" injury. The Georgia head coach didn't have a lot of details and hoped that an MRI would tell more. 

Beck has had a rollercoaster season, hitting a massive skid midway through the season before pulling it together to finish strong after a loss to Ole Miss. 

Gunnar Stockton, Beck's replacement, had limited experience coming into a huge pressure spot and had only thrown a total of 16 passes this season before the game. He had exactly 16 on Saturday in the overtime win over the Longhorns, though he took a big shot in overtime as he ran toward the endzone. The offense did get a short-term bump from Stockton playing in the second half as it scored its first touchdown of the night on the backup QB's first drive. He looked poised in overtime, too, after throwing a bad interception late in the fourth quarter, which allowed Texas to send the game into overtime on a field goal with 18 seconds left. 

But even with all of Beck's ups and downs this season, if he's out for any extended amount of time, it is a significant loss for a Georgia offense that doesn't seem to possess the run game or receiver weapons to win it all in that scenario.

[Dec 7, 2024 at 8:01 pm ET · John Talty]

Georgia wins it

Final: No. 5 Georgia 22, No. 2 Texas 19

Trevor Etienne runs it from four yards out to win the SEC Championship Game in dramatic fashion. Carson Beck, who left the game at the end of the first half with a right arm injury, came back in for the play after Gunner Stockton's helmet came off during a brutal hit. Beck couldn't even lift his right arm, but mustered enough strength to hand the ball off to Etienne.

[Dec 7, 2024 at 7:54 pm ET · John Talty]

Texas settles for FG first

OT: Texas 19, Georgia 16

Bert Auburn hit his fourth field goal of the game to give Texas a 19-16 overtime lead. It will now be up to Texas' defense to hold Georgia to a field goal or less, or this game is over. 

[Dec 7, 2024 at 7:45 pm ET · John Talty]

Going to overtime

End 4Q: No. 2 Texas 16, No. 5 Georgia 16

A wild game wasn't ready to be over in regulation. We're getting the first ever SEC Championship Game overtime experience after a successful 37-yard Bert Auburn field goal tied things up for the Longhorns with 18 seconds left. Both these teams made critical interceptions late in the fourth quarter, with a late Gunner Stockton INT proving especially costly for a Bulldogs team on the verge of winning it.

Texas will start with the ball in overtime. 

[Dec 7, 2024 at 7:42 pm ET · John Talty]

Auburn ties it with FG

Late 4Q: No. 2 Texas 16, No. 5 Georgia 16

After missing his two previous kicks, Texas kicker Bert Auburn delivers with a successful 37-yard field goal to tie the game and likely send it to overtime with only 18 seconds remaining in regulation. Auburn is now 5 of 5 in his career on field goals to tie or take lead in final 2:00 of fourth quarter and overtime. The SEC Championship has never gone to overtime since it began in 1992. 

[Dec 7, 2024 at 7:25 pm ET · John Talty]

Stockton gives it right back

4Q: Georgia 16, Texas 13

In a drive that felt almost assured to at least add three points, Gunner Stockton threw an interception to give Texas life with a little more than two minutes remaining in the game. Stockton had never thrown more than 12 passes in a college game headed into tonight. It was his 13th pass of the night that resulted in the interception. 

[Dec 7, 2024 at 7:19 pm ET · John Talty]

Ewers INT could do it

Late 4Q: No. 5 Georgia 16, No. 2 Texas 13

A bad Quinn Ewers decision could doom Texas' comeback efforts after Daylen Everette intercepted the pass on Texas' 29-yard line. It's Ewers second interception thrown to Everette in the game, and this one was especially costly with a little more than three minutes remaining in the game. 

[Dec 7, 2024 at 7:14 pm ET · John Talty]

Wild drive gives UGA lead

Late 4Q: No. 5 Georgia 16, No. 2 Texas 13

On a drive that featured a fake punt and two fumbles, Georgia retook the lead on a Peyton Woodring 21-yard field goal. Texas defense forced two fumbles but couldn't come up with either. It did, however, stand up and stop Georgia from scoring a touchdown when it had first-and-goal from the 4-yard line. 

[Dec 7, 2024 at 7:02 pm ET · John Talty]

Gutsy Kirby breaks out fake punt

4Q: No. 2 Texas 13, No. 5 Georgia 13

On a 4th-and-5 in his own territory and with punter Brett Thorson injured, Kirby Smart broke out the fake punt on a sweep to receiver Arian Smith that picked up the first down. Smart hasn't always had success with fake special teams plays inside this building, but this one worked at a time when Georgia really needed it. 

[Dec 7, 2024 at 6:57 pm ET · John Talty]

Texas ties it up with explosive play

4Q: Texas 13, Georgia 13

All it took was one play for this one to be all tied up after Georgia dominated the third quarter. Quinn Ewers hit DeAndre Moore Jr. on a slant for a 43-yard touchdown to put Texas right back in the game and put considerable pressure on Georgia replacement QB Gunner Stockton. 

[Dec 7, 2024 at 6:54 pm ET · John Talty]

Georgia has lead headed into 4th

End 3Q: No. 5 Georgia 13, No. 2 Texas 6

The Bulldogs took control of the game in the third quarter, scoring 10 unanswered points to take a 13-6 lead into the fourth quarter.

Gunner Stockton, who stepped in to replace Carson Beck, gave the Georgia offense an early spark, leading an efficient first drive that gave Georgia its first touchdown of the game early in the third quarter. Georgia added a field goal just before the quarter ended, set up by a fantastic 48-yard run from Trevor Etienne.

On the Texas side, the Longhorns again blew a scoring opportunity. Texas got the ball on Georgia's 39-yard line after a successful punt return, but walked away with zero points after Bert Auburn missed his second field goal of the night. Texas is still out-gaining Georgia for the game, 276-170, but Georgia appears to have full control of the game.

[Dec 7, 2024 at 6:50 pm ET · John Talty]

UGA extends lead

3Q: Georgia 13, Texas 6

The Bulldogs extended their lead on a Peyton Woodring 24-yard field goal. Trevor Etienne set up the field goal with a 48-yard gain, the Bulldogs' longest offensive play of the game thus far. 

[Dec 7, 2024 at 6:40 pm ET · John Talty]

Auburn missed again

Late 3Q: Georgia 10, Texas 6

Despite starting the drive on Georgia's 39-yard line, Texas again comes away with zero points after kicker Bert Auburn missed his second field goal of the night. Texas is still significantly out-gaining Georgia, 274 to 113, but keeps blowing scoring opportunities. That one especially hurts and could be the difference in this SEC title game slugfest. 

[Dec 7, 2024 at 6:36 pm ET · John Talty]

Big drive here for Texas

3Q: Georgia 10, Texas 6

The momentum has flipped in this game and the Georgia faithful, who far outnumber Texas fans here, are getting very loud. What can Quinn Ewers dial up here against UGA? Would be nice to see Sark get a little aggressive going after the Georgia secondary again. 

[Dec 7, 2024 at 6:24 pm ET · John Talty]

Georgia takes lead

3Q: No. 5 Georgia 10, No. 2 Texas 6

A fired up Georgia offense, led by backup quarterback Gunner Stockton, easily moved down the field and took a 10-6 lead on a Trevor Etienne 10-yard touchdown. Stockton looked great, going 3 for 4 for 36 yards, and the passing game helped open up the running game for Etienne. A sleepy Mercedes-Benz Stadium has come alive with loud Georgia fans after the Bulldogs went up on the Longhorns. 

[Dec 7, 2024 at 6:19 pm ET · John Talty]

Major potential implications to Beck's injury

If Carson Beck's injury is significant, there could be bigger implications beyond possibly not winning the SEC title game. If Georgia were to lose and drop to three losses on the season, could the committee reconsider its place in the field if it believes this Georgia team isn't the same without its start quarterback? The precedent is there with the committee leaving undefeated Florida State out of the field last year after Jordan Travis went down. Lot of game left here but an unexpected development to monitor tonight. 

[Dec 7, 2024 at 6:13 pm ET · John Talty]

Beck out for game; Stockton in at QB

Start of 3Q

Major development here in Atlanta. Carson Beck will not return for the rest of the game with a right arm injury, ESPN's Holly Rowe reports. Gunner Stockton is in at QB and will go the rest of the way. Before Saturday, Gunner Stockton was 13 for 16 for 135 yards and zero touchdowns in limited action this season.

[Dec 7, 2024 at 5:50 pm ET · John Talty]

Beck injured on wild final play of first half

Halftime: No. 2 Texas 6, No. 5 Georgia 3

An underwhelming first half produced a wild play with a second remaining. Georgia quarterback Carson Beck was strip-sacked during a Hail Mary attempt, and Texas took the ball all the way back to Georgia 20-yard line before play ended. However, the bigger story is that Beck appeared to injure his throwing (right) arm during the play. He stayed on the field for a bit before walking off with trainers while favoring his right shoulder. His second-half status is unclear. 

[Dec 7, 2024 at 5:46 pm ET · John Talty]

Beck keeps throwing INTs that don't count

Carson Beck has thrown interceptions on back-to-back plays but luckily for Georgia neither counted after offsides penalties on both plays against Texas. In the first meeting between these two teams Beck threw three interceptions, but hasn't thrown one in here officially. 

[Dec 7, 2024 at 5:24 pm ET · John Talty]

Missed opportunities continue

2Q: No. 2 Texas 6, No. 5 Georgia 3

Texas is dominating this game and yet still holds only a three-point lead despite out-gaining Georgia 234-53. Bert Auburn missed his first field goal of the day after hitting his first two to let Georgia escape without any damage. It's a dangerous proposition to let a Kirby Smart team hang around, especially with the Bulldogs getting the ball to start the second half. 

[Dec 7, 2024 at 5:14 pm ET · John Talty]

Georgia strikes back

2Q: No. 2 Texas 6, No. 5 Georgia 3

The Bulldogs finally get on the board with a Peyton Woodring 44-yard field goal. After managing an anemic nine total offensive yards in the first quarter, Georgia's offense finally came alive for an 8-play, 49-yard drive that at least showed signs of life. Etienne finally got positive yardage on offense, running for 12 yards on the drive. 

[Dec 7, 2024 at 5:04 pm ET · John Talty]

Another Texas FG

2Q: No. 2 Texas 6, No. 5 Georgia 0

Another Texas drive stalls out deep in Georgia's territory, resulting in another 42-yard Bert Auburn field goal. Texas offense was rolling before a holding call and sack. Georgia can't do anything on offense right now, but despite dominating this game, Texas being forced to settle for field goals still allows the Bulldogs to even it up with one play. 

[Dec 7, 2024 at 4:55 pm ET · John Talty]

Texas leads after first

End 1Q: No. 2 Texas 3, No. 5 Georgia 0

Texas holds a 3-0 lead after the first quarter inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the SEC Championship. Texas moved the ball much more efficiently than Georgia — 170 to nine yards on offense – but only scored three points because of a fluky tipped interception in the middle of one successful drive and a just missed would-be touchdown pass in the other that ultimately resulted in a field goal.

Georgia seemingly got a boost with Trevor Etienne starting after missing the last three games, but it didn't make any positive difference in the first quarter. The Bulldogs had zero ability to get the run game going against Texas' vaunted defense, with Etienne losing six yards on his first two carries. 

[Dec 7, 2024 at 4:54 pm ET · John Talty]

Texas targeting Georgia DBs

Texas has found something it likes and that's getting receiver Matthew Golden in single coverage against Georgia DB Daniel Harris. Golden is now up to 4 catches for 107 yards in the first quarter, powering the Longhorns' offense early against the Bulldogs. 

[Dec 7, 2024 at 4:46 pm ET · John Talty]

Longhorns D is really, really good

1Q: Texas 3, Georgia 0 

Carson Beck and this Georgia offense has no chance right now against Texas' defense. The best play Georgia's offense has had thus far came on a pass interference penalty. Otherwise, the Bulldogs have negative yardage in the run game and Beck has only 15 passing yards. Going to be tough sledding for UGA if something doesn't change. 

[Dec 7, 2024 at 4:36 pm ET · John Talty]

Texas strikes first

1Q: Texas 3, Georgia 0

The Longhorns get on the board first with a Bert Auburn 41-yard field goal. The drive was set up when Quinn Ewers threw an absolute dime over a Georgia defender to Matthew Golden for a 50-yard gain. Ewers just missed on a touchdown throw to Golden but in what should be a tight game, coming away with points early is always important. 

[Dec 7, 2024 at 4:24 pm ET · John Talty]

Texas turnover

1st QTR: No. 2 Texas 0, No. 5 Georgia 0

A weird play gives Georgia its first possession. Texas receiver Isaiah Bond mishandled a pass, popped it up and got turned around, allowing for Daylen Everette to intercept Quinn Ewers' pass. The INT ended a promising Texas offensive drive that had advanced to Georgia's side of the field through passes to Matthew Golden and DeAndre Moore. 

[Dec 7, 2024 at 3:45 pm ET · John Talty]

Banks is out

Texas star left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr., who entered the game as a game time decision, won't play in Saturday's SEC Championship. It's a significant blow for the Longhorns against a talented Georgia defensive front that gave it problems in the first meeting between the two teams. Redshirt freshman Trevor Goosby will get the start in place of Banks. 

[Dec 7, 2024 at 3:30 pm ET · John Talty]

Texas vs. Georgia prediction 

It's always challenging to beat a team twice in one season – Georgia has even been the beneficiary of that truth against Alabama in the past – and Texas will be ready to go this time around. It got the bad performance out of its system in what was one of the biggest sports weekends in Austin history. Texas defense looks superb right now, the offense less so, and should be able to harass Carson Beck again. It'll be very close and the Mercedes-Benz Stadium crowd will be decidedly in Georgia's favor, but I like the Longhorns to win Round 2. Pick: Texas -2.5