ATHENS, Ga. — Georgia junior Gunner Stockton enjoyed a promising start as he began a season as the starting quarterback for the program for the first time, running for two touchdowns and throwing for a pair of scores as the fifth-ranked Bulldogs rolled past Marshall 45-7 at Sanford Stadium on Saturday.
Stockton, who had scoring runs of 13 and 11 yards, completed 14 of 24 passes for 190 yards and rushed for 73 yards.
Last season, he stepped in when Carson Beck got injured during the Southeastern Conference championship game and helped lead the Bulldogs to an overtime victory against Texas. Stockton also started in Georgia’s College Football Playoff game, a loss to eventual national runner-up Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl quarterfinal, because Beck — who has since transferred to Miami — was out due to his elbow injury.
“It felt different,” said Stockton of beginning the season in the No. 1 role. “Running out as the starter is a little different than hoping you’ll get in. I enjoyed everything about it.”
Zachariah Branch, a transfer from Southern California, had three catches for 95 yards for the Bulldogs, including a 47-yard touchdown. Stockton added a 2-yard scoring pass to London Humphreys. Georgia backup Ryan Puglisi threw a 23-yard pass to Elyiss Williams for another touchdown.