Everything Texas players said after OT loss to Georgia
By Shane Black
An instant classic took place inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday afternoon as Texas football fell to No. 5 Georgia 22-19 in the SEC Championship. It was the first SEC Championship decided in overtime in the 33-year history of the game.
Texas football players speak on the loss to Georgia in SEC Championship Game
The Longhorns dominated the first half. Texas outgained Georgia 260-54, led in time of possession 20:11-9:49, but only entered the locker room with a 6-3 lead. Offensive miscues, including back-breaking penalties, an interception, and a missed field goal, proved to be the difference.
On the last play of the first half, Georgia quarterback Carson Beck suffered an elbow injury that kept him on the sidelines for the rest of the game. In stepped redshirt sophomore and former five-star Gunner Stockton.
Stockton led the Dawgs on a 10-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to start the second half, setting the tone for the Georgia faithful.
Although Stockton did not press the ball down the field, his presence clearly energized the Bulldogs on both sides of the ball. Stockton finished 12-16 for 71 yards and provided a much-needed rushing element from the quarterback position. His eight-yard carry in overtime proved to be the difference, as Trevor Etienne scored the game-winner on the subsequent play.
Texas looked to be the better team most of the afternoon, but they could not overcome 11 penalties, two interceptions, and two missed field goals. It did not help that three of Georgia's fumbles bounced out of bounds or right into the hands of a Bulldog.
This loss stings; there is no denying it. That said, Texas has to regroup and refocus with a national championship on the line in the coming weeks.
Here is everything Texas players said after the loss.
Quinn Ewers, QB
“You know, some plays didn’t go our way. We just couldn’t capitalize in some key moments in the first half. It’s just tough, tough, tough losing big games like this.”
On the red zone struggles: "We just didn't capitalize at the end of the day. I think it was all on us. We had plenty of opportunities to go capitalize and just some games go that way I guess. We're going to take a look at it and go from there."
"I think we moved pretty well in the pocket. That just goes back to the O-linemen making a pocket for me.'
Jahdae Barron, DB
"It can't just be 'poor me's' for the next two weeks. We've got to get back to work."
On his 4Q INT: “At the end of the day, good is not good enough, so I’ve just got to do more.”
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