Kirby Smart calls out Gunner Stockton 'naysayers' after comeback win over Tennessee

When Tennessee got off to a blazing start, Georgia had no choice but to put the ball in the hands of Gunner Stockton. Somebody who was a question mark heading into the game, we found out a whole lot about the quarterback on Saturday night. And Kirby Smart made sure to call out the people who doubted him.

“A lot of naysayers out there about Gunner,” Smart told ESPN’s Holly Rowe postgame. “I thought he played his tail off today.”

Plenty was made of Stockton’s two previous performances against Marshall and Austin Peay. Neither inspired too much confidence, totalling just 417 yards and two touchdowns. A new challenge of facing off against an SEC team awaited him.

Stockton stepped up to the plate and then some. His stats alone tell you how good he performed, throwing for 304 yards and two touchdowns while completing 23 of 31 passes. But there were certain moments where everyone knew Stockton had to drop back to pass, eventually delivering. The game-tying touchdown and two-point conversion stand out.

Going one step further, Stockton was making his first career start on the road. Yes, he got the nod in the College Football Playoff last season against Notre Dame. Neyland Stadium is a completely different beast, though, apparently living up to the expectations by Stockton’s standards.

“It’s a great atmosphere here,” Stockton said. “It was loud. We came in, overcame some stuff, didn’t play the best we wanted. But in the end, we won.”

Smart seemingly knew Stockton needed to have a big game in order for Georgia to win. His vision came to fruition, feeling the need to call out the “naysayers” afterward. Had to be a great moment for both the head coach and quarterback.

Georgia will get to celebrate this one for a little longer than 24 hours. No game falls on the schedule Saturday, getting a bye week in mid-September. It’s because another daunting SEC game pops up, giving Stockton a second chance to prove some people wrong.

Alabama comes to Sanford Stadium on Sept. 27, the first head-to-head matchup in Athens since 2015. Smart does not have a great record against the Crimson Tide, only getting worse after last season’s loss in Tuscaloosa.

Stockton likely needs to be great again to pull off a win vs. Alabama. For now, test passed against Tennessee, and Smart wants to make sure his guy gets appreciation.