Georgia QB Carson Beck out for season, Gunner Stockton to start for Bulldogs in CFP

When the Georgia Bulldogs begin their College Football Playoff run, they will do so without their starting quarterback.

Carson Beck is out for the remainder of the season, the school announced on Monday. The fifth-year senior suffered an elbow injury on his throwing arm in the final play of the first half in the SEC championship game against Texas. He sat out the entire second half and came in on the final play in overtime to hand the ball off to Trevor Etienne for the game-winning score. Since then, there was skepticism Beck would be able to play in the quarterfinal round against Notre Dame. Now, he'll be out for the entire postseason.

The school said Beck underwent a successful surgery Monday to repair his ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), which was performed by surgeon Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles. He is expected to make a full recovery and "is expected with throwing to begin spring of 2025," the school added.

Who will be starting QB for Georgia vs. Notre Dame?

With Beck out, head coach Kirby Smart will turn to sophomore Gunner Stockton to lead the Bulldogs into another deep playoff run. Stockton came in for relief for Beck in the SEC championship game and went 12-for-16 for 71 yards and an interception.

Prior to that, Stockton made three appearances in the regular season, mostly in the end of blowout victories. His numbers on the 2024 season are 25-for-32 with 206 yards and an interception.

Even before Monday's announcement, Georgia had been preparing for Stockton to start the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1 against Notre Dame, giving him plenty of time to prepare to make his first career start.

"He got lots of reps prior to these practices, but he’s getting much more now,” Smart said. “When you get ready for an opponent like Notre Dame, you need time and we have time.”

Stockton will certainly have a challenge in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal matchup against a Fighting Irish defense that ranks top five in the country in points allowed (13.8) and passing yards allowed (162.3) per game. However, Notre Dame suffered a blow of its own when the team announced Rylie Mills, who leads the team sacks, would be out for the remainder of the season due to a right knee injury.

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman said Stockton taking over the starting duties will require adjustments in the defensive game plan since Stockton can become a running threat.

"He can run their offense. He does things a little bit differently. He can extend plays with his legs, he’s a good athlete. The thing I probably noticed most about him, he’s an ultra-competitive individual," Freeman said.

Georgia and Notre Dame will face off on Jan. 1 in New Orleans with a spot in the playoff semifinal on the line.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Carson Beck out for season, Gunner Stockton to start for UGA in CFP