If Georgia is going to do a better job supporting its QB, Mike Bobo says it starts with the run game

Georgia will have a new quarterback next season. Carson Beck is headed to Miami, leaving Gunner Stockton and Ryan Puglisi to battle it out to replace the two-year starter.

Stockton got the start in the College Football Playoff loss to Notre Dame. Georgia coach Kirby Smart recognized that Stockton did some good things in his first start, in addition to how he helped Georgia in the SEC Championship game.

“Gunner did some good things.” Smart said after the Notre Dame game. “Any time you don’t have pass pro, it’s tough. He had some tough moments out there. When it’s your backside and you can’t see it coming, it’s tough. I thought he tucked it down and ran. He got us out of a couple sacks with his feet and legs, threw the ball away. Did some good things there. But obviously it wasn’t enough with the two turnovers, and we’ve got to be better for sure.”

While pass protection was a major issue against Notre Dame, Georgia’s inability to run the ball was a season-long issue for the Bulldogs. Against Notre Dame, Georgia had 101 non-sack rushing yards.

The Bulldogs averaged 124 rushing yards per game, the lowest of the Smart era. That’s despite having talented running backs in Trevor Etienne and Nate Frazier.

Etienne did miss time this season due to a rib injury and suspension, while Frazier struggled with fumbles. While both had bright moments, the two running backs also know they needed to be better.

Etienne has yet to publicly announce his plans for next season, but the expectation is that he will be back. Whoever is handing Etienne and Frazier the ball, Georgia knows it needs to get more out of its ground game.

“You know, obviously, it is frustrating. We pride ourselves on being able to run the ball,” Gerogia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo said prior to the Notre Dame game. “I could sit here and give you a lot of reasons, but all they’d be is excuses, point blank. You could sit here and say injuries, you can say this, bottom line, excuses.We got to be able to run the ball if we want to continue to win in these playoffs.”

At times, Georgia found success running the football. The wins over Texas came to mind for Bobo, especially after he challenged the offense.

Entering the 2025 season, that challenge will exist once again. Even with Georgia having to replace four starters on its offensive line.

“You know, we got to find ways to move the ball on the ground,” Bobo said. “You know, we’ve got to be committed to the run, whether things are going good or things are going bad, to still run that ball, to help us be balanced and run and pass.”

Etienne had a critical red zone fumble that took points off the board against Notre Dame. And with Georgia’s offense trailing 20-3 before it touched the ball in the second half, it ended up putting an even greater load on Stockton’s shoulders in the comeback effort.

The lack of a consistent running game put a lot on Beck’s shoulders this past season. With Georgia finding itself in more third-and-longs, Beck felt the need to make more plays, which in part led to more turnovers.

While Stockton is a more willing runner than Beck, he had just 16 rushing yards on 6 attempts against Notre Dame. Given the violent hits Stockton also tends to take, the Bulldogs may not be willing to run him as much as one might think.

Heading into 2025 with a new quarterback — most likely Stockton at this point — Georgia knows that the running game will be critical to help elevate the offense around its quarterback.

“We didn’t help him out a lot. He made his plays, and he’s really special,” tight end Oscar Delp said of Gunner Stockton. “Everyone saw a glimpse of what he can do. We didn’t help him out too much. He never doubted his team for a second. This is who he is and the kind of guy he is.”