This year’s college football championship offered an unforgettable and exciting brand-new rivalry between the georgia bulldogs football vs texas longhorns football match player stats. The first time in their history as SEC adversaries, both of these powerhouse teams met in not just two, but two crucial season-defining games.
In the middle of October, there was a battle in Austin in which the Bulldogs gave their Longhorns their first campaign defeat. And then, as luck would have it, both teams fought again in Atlanta to play in an SEC Championship Game and played an overtime game that affirmed Georgia’s dominance.
This blog offers a complete recap of both matches and includes:
- Complete player and team stats.
- A detailed analysis of defensive and offensive performance.
- The most crucial turning points and game-changing plays.
- Section optimized SEO that targets search results for Georgia and Texas football statistics, player stats, and SEC highlights.
October 19, 2024 – Georgia 30, Texas 15
When Georgia came to Austin, Texas was ranked at the top of the list in the United States. Many expected Quinn Ewers and the Longhorns’ attack to succeed at home. Instead, Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs played a defensive game that smothered their Texas offensive line. They also succeeded in causing turnovers and leveraging an energizing rushing attack.
Team Stats
| Category | Georgia Bulldogs | Texas Longhorns |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 283 | 259 |
| Passing Yards | 175 (23/41, 3 INTs) | 230 (28/49, 1 INT) |
| Rushing Yards | 108 | 29 |
| First Downs | 14 | 19 |
| Turnovers | 3 | 4 |
| Sacks Allowed | 1 | 7 |
| Time of Possession | 30:26 | 29:34 |
Key Georgia Performers
- Trevor Etienne (RB): 19 carries, 87 yards, three touchdowns. Etienne was a slug in red territory, slaying the Longhorns following defensive takeaways.
- Carson Beck (QB): had 21 completions in 41 attempts for 175 yards but three costly interceptions. Beck’s performance was not excellent; however, Georgia’s defense and Etienne’s ability to complete his passes helped bail Beck out.
- Daylen Everette (DB): Forced turnovers that altered the game’s momentum, resulting in small fields, which Georgia transformed into touchdowns.
- Georgia Defense: 7 sacks. This included several drive-killing hits on Quinn Ewers. Their ability to slash the pocket made the difference between the two teams.
Key Texas Performers
- Quinn Ewers (QB): 25/43, 211 yards, two touchdowns, one interception. Ewers displayed a calm, composed performance; however, his lack of running game exposed him.
- Xavier Worthy (WR): A reliable goal on the outside, expanding the field rapidly, even though he was contained within scoring territory.
- Adonai Mitchell (WR): Contributed with important intermediate receptions. However, Georgia’s corners stopped long-range threats during the game’s final minutes.
- Texas Offensive Line: The most significant liability. With seven sacks and constant pressure, the team could not stop Ewers from holding drives for long periods.
Turning Points
- Georgia’s defensive pressure- The Longhorns’ line of o-line was broken down quickly. Georgia took advantage of the situation with sacks and QB hits.
- Etienne’s Efficiency- The three touchdowns resulted from mistakes, highlighting Georgia’s potential.
- The Crowd is Unrest– A controversial officiating decision against Texas during the second quarter sparked a riot among the crowd, briefly slowing the game.
The Bulldogs took home an impressive 30-15 victory. They established them as a contender for the national title while also exposing the offensive weaknesses of Texas.
December 7, 2024 – SEC Championship: Georgia 22, Texas 19 (OT)
Six months later, Georgia and Texas met again, this time in an SEC Championship Game in Atlanta. With playoff implications in the balance, the game was a success and lived up to the full extent of excitement, with huge passing figures by Quinn Ewers, a gritty performance by Georgia’s backup quarterback Gunner Stockton, and another amazing performance by Trevor Etienne.
Team Stats
| Category | Georgia Bulldogs | Texas Longhorns |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 277 | 389 |
| Passing Yards | 136 | 358 |
| Rushing Yards | 141 | 31 |
| First Downs | 19 | 21 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 3 |
| Time of Possession | 31:59 | 28:01 |
Key Georgia Performers
- Trevor Etienne (RB): 16 carries, 94 yards, two touchdowns. Another time, Etienne was the difference with his play, which included the overtime game-winning score.
- Gunner Stockton (QB): When he was called into action following the injury of Carson Beck, Stockton delivered an efficient 12/16 pass for 70 yards and one interception. His calm when under pressure was vital.
- Arian Smith (WR): 5 receptions, 41 yards, transferring the chains on various important drives.
- Georgia Defense: Three turnovers were forced, including two late interceptions that stopped Texas drives.
Key Texas Performers
- Quinn Ewers (QB): 27/46, 358 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions. Ewers produced impressive numbers, but struggled to make decisions late.
- Matthew Golden (WR): 8 receptions, 162 yards. Golden destroyed Georgia’s secondary several times, which gave Texas the best chance of winning.
- Quintrevion Wisner (RB): 19 carries, 51 yards. Ineffective against Georgia’s frontline and a lack of balance in Texas’s offense.
Game Defining Moments
- Beck’s accident- If Carson Beck went down, people thought Georgia’s offense might be slowed. Instead, Gunner Stockton stepped up.
- Explosiveness- Matthew Golden’s massive receptions helped keep Texas alive and even changed the course of events.
- Etienne’s Overtime winner- A four-yard touchdown running goal sealed the victory at 22-19, giving Georgia the SEC championship.
Comparative Analysis Across Both Games
Trevor Etienne: Georgia’s Star
Two times, Etienne rushed for 181 yards and five touchdowns. He was unstoppable when he played short distances, slamming Texas every time their defense slowed. The SEC Championship performance cemented his status at the top of Georgia’s list as their MVP.
Quinn Ewers: Big Numbers, Costly Mistakes
Ewers had thrown for 569 yards with three touchdowns; however, his three interceptions during the two games were at the worst time. The talent of his arm was obvious; however, turnovers could have swayed the momentum.
Georgia Defense: The Deciding Factor
In two games, Georgia forced seven turnovers and recorded 11 sacks. The ability of Georgia to cause the pressure needed and take advantage of their mistakes made both games winnable.
Balance vs Predictability
Georgia’s balanced attack (rushing and passing short) contrasted starkly with Texas’s heavy reliance on Ewers. The Longhorns in both games did not manage to establish a game on the ground, making them one-dimensional.
Broader Implications
- In Georgia: the victories validated Kirby Smart’s program as a top contender in the SEC and even in the face of new competition such as Texas.
- For Texas: Steve Sarkisian’s team displayed glimpses of brilliance for Texas, particularly during the SEC final; however, glaring flaws in the offensive line and the run game prevented them from winning.
- For the Playoff Image: Georgia’s victory over Texas has helped them confidently enter the College Football Playoff.
Conclusion
The 2024 georgia bulldogs football vs texas longhorns football match player stats will be remembered as the season’s most talked-about games. Between Trevor Etienne’s nimble rush scores and Quinn Ewers’ aerial show, the series featured everything to offer: drama, defense, and championship stakes.