Georgia has more time than Notre Dame to prepare for their College Football Playoff quarterfinal game in the Sugar Bowl on Wednesday night in New Orleans.
And that will help a team turning to an inexperienced quarterback with a season on the line.
Sophomore Gunner Stockton will start at No. 2-seeded Bulldogs (11-2) against No. 7-seeded Fighting Irish (12-1) after Carson Beck underwent season-ending surgery to repair an elbow injury in the second quarter. of the SEC Championship Game on Dec. 7.
Stockton replaced Beck and completed 12 of 16 passes for 71 yards in Georgia’s 22-19 overtime win against Texas. The win clinched a playoff spot and more time to prepare for the Bulldogs, though they didn’t know him until nearly two weeks later when Notre Dame cruised to a 27-17 first-round victory over Indiana on Dec. 20 in South Bend. , India.
Georgia coach Kirby Smart said the extra time helped Stockton by giving him reps with the first team, although the Bulldogs’ game preparation was limited until they knew their opponent.
“I think the biggest thing (for Stockton) is competition and practice, the conditions we put him in,” Smart said. “All those things allow him to be better as a quarterback.”
Stockton has completed 25 of 32 passes for 206 yards and no touchdowns this season, with one interception. Freshman Nate Frazier leads the rushing game with 634 yards and eight TDs on 129 carries.
Irish coach Marcus Freeman said he and his staff have “80 games” of Stockton to study.
“He can run their offense,” Freeman said. “He does things differently. He can extend plays with his legs; he’s a great athlete. The thing I’ve probably noticed most about him is he’s a very competitive person.”
Smart downplayed the possibility that Stockton’s running ability would lead to a big difference in the Bulldogs’ game plan.
“We are what we are,” Smart said.
The flip side of the break between games is that Georgia will have the equivalent of 3 1/2 byes while Notre Dame remains sharp with its 11th straight game win.
“It’s really difficult to manage how you keep your players in football condition and game condition,” Smart said. “Do you lose your rhythm? You watch it a lot of times in bowl games, people have those long breaks, it can affect the way you play.”
Notre Dame, like fellow first-round winners Penn State, Ohio State and Texas, prepares to play back-to-back postseason games as part of the 12-team CFP.
“Obviously, a first for me,” Freeman said. “You almost prepared for this first round like it was a chance for a bowl game. But then you realize that when the game is over, you go back to preparing. …
“In the playoffs, you have to prepare in a way that will give your program the best chance to win. Put everything on the table and, if you can get the result you want, you have to go. I’m back to preparing.”
The Irish will be without defensive end Rylie Mills for the season due to a knee injury suffered against Indiana.
“The value (Mills) provides to this team is tremendous,” said Freeman. “And he has done an excellent job as a footballer and a leader.
“He’s got to change and do it in different ways for the defense. We have some talented guys who will step up, who have increased their speed throughout the year, and we have a lot of confidence in them.”
Mills had 7 1/2 sacks this season, and he and preseason All-American Howard Cross III helped the defense overcome the loss of another All-American, linebacker Benjamin Morrison, who suffered a hip injury in October .
Cross missed the final three games of the regular season with a sprained ankle but returned against Indiana.
Offensively, Notre Dame’s Riley Leonard threw for 2,293 yards and 17 touchdowns in six games, while Jeremiah Love averaged 7.4 yards per carry, posting 1,057 rushing yards and TDs. 16 in 142 attempts.
–Field Level Media
Source link