New Georgia QB Gunner Stockton presents a challenge for the Irish

NEW ORLEANS — Notre Dame linebacker Jack Kiser said the Fighting Irish are not underestimating Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton because of his inexperience heading into Wednesday’s College Football Playoff quarterfinals at the Allstate Sugar Bowl.

Stockton, a third-year sophomore, had played sparingly for the No. 2 Bulldogs until he was forced into action after starter Carson Beck injured the elbow of his throwing arm on the final play of the first half of the Dec. 7 SEC championship game. .

Stockton rallied the Bulldogs in the second half of a 22-19 overtime win against Texas.

“He’s not the veteran, but at the same time he’s playing at Georgia,” Kiser said. “He’s their starting quarterback. He was a great recruit. I don’t think you can underestimate this guy at all.”

Stockton is expected to make his first career start against No. 7 Fighting Irish at Caesars Superdome on New Year’s Day (8:45 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN+). Beck had season-ending elbow surgery on Dec. 23 and declared his intention to enter the NFL draft on Saturday.

Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart said Beck was expected to join the team in New Orleans this week.

Stockton met with the media for the first time at Monday’s Sugar Bowl media day. He didn’t say much other than he was excited to finally get a chance to start at quarterback, even if the stage will be one of the biggest in the sport.

“It’s amazing,” Stockton said. “I mean, it’s a dream come true. I’m excited and excited for the opportunity. It’s a special opportunity and I’m enjoying it.”

Stockton has completed 25 of 32 passes for 206 yards with no touchdowns and one interception in four games this season. Most of his action came in the second half against the Longhorns, completing 12 of 16 passes for 71 yards with one interception.

Fighting Irish defensive tackle Howard Cross III said Stockton’s lack of playing time this season has made their preparations more difficult.

“I mean, we have limited film,” Cross said. “It’s kind of like having every piece of the puzzle except one. We don’t really know if he’s a passing quarterback or a running quarterback. We know he’s good, but we don’t know what his tendencies are.”

Stockton was one of the most productive quarterbacks in Georgia high school history during his four years at Rabun County High School, amassing 13,652 passing yards with 177 touchdowns and 4,372 rushing yards with 77 scores. As a senior, he completed 71.3% of his attempts for 4,134 yards with 55 touchdowns and one interception.

Stockton spent the last three seasons at Georgia and sits behind starter Stetson Bennett, who led the Bulldogs to back-to-back national championships in 2021 and 2022, and then behind Beck the last two seasons.

Smart said he has confidence Stockton can perform because of his decision-making, accuracy and athleticism as a dual-threat quarterback.

“He was raised around football,” Smart said. “He’s a coach’s son. All the players play harder for him. If you make the players around you better, that’s what you look for in a quarterback. I think he raises the skill level of everyone around him because of who he is . So that’s my reason to think he’s a good quarterback.”

Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman said his staff has used the 86 plays in which Stockton was on the field this season to come up with a defensive game plan. He doesn’t expect the Bulldogs to change their identity or game plan because Stockton is under center.

“I don’t think they’re going to completely change their offense because of who’s at quarterback,” Freeman said. “He does a lot of things well that Carson Beck did well. He can throw it. Carson Beck is more athletic than I thought until I started watching the film.

“I don’t expect it to be that much different, but it’s also a game of adjustments. We have to be able to see what they’re trying to do and their offense versus our defense.”

Kiser expects Georgia to rely on its running game and veteran offensive line to take pressure off Stockton, but he also won’t underestimate the quarterback.

“You know, Georgia is Georgia,” Kiser said. “They’re not going to change their offense because of one guy. They’re going to add different things, the read series, maybe a couple more QB draws. He’s a little bit more dynamic as an athlete. We just have to be ready and understand that , that there are more wrinkles than you’ll see in any other Georgia game.”