Athens, Ga. — Gunner Stockton delivered the best performance of his young career, throwing for 289 yards and four touchdowns — three of them to tight end Lawson Luckie — as No. 9 Georgia stormed back in the fourth quarter to defeat No. 5 Ole Miss, 43–35, on Saturday night in Sanford Stadium.
The Bulldogs (6–1, 4–1 SEC) erased a nine-point deficit entering the final quarter, scoring 17 unanswered points to hand the Rebels (6–1, 3–1) their first loss of the season.
Stockton completed 26 of 31 passes and added a 22-yard rushing touchdown, guiding Georgia to its biggest win of the year without committing a single turnover.
“It was a great day,” Stockton said. “We just played for each other, and that’s the best part of our team.”
Luckie shines as Stockton stays poised
Luckie was nearly unstoppable, hauling in touchdown passes of 17, 10, and 7 yards — the final one giving Georgia a 40–35 lead with 7:29 remaining. The score capped a nine-play, 67-yard drive after Georgia’s defense forced the game’s first punt early in the fourth quarter.
Kicker Peyton Woodring added his third field goal of the night — a 42-yarder with just over two minutes left — to seal the comeback and complete the Bulldogs’ fourth straight win over Ole Miss.
Ole Miss fades after fast start
Lane Kiffin’s Rebels looked dominant early, scoring touchdowns on their first five drives and taking a 35–26 lead late in the third quarter behind quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, who distributed the ball to eight different receivers.
But Georgia’s defense tightened up when it mattered most, holding Ole Miss without a single first down over the final 15 minutes.
“When our defense started getting stops, everything shifted,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said. “Our guys just refused to back down.”
Chambliss showed flashes of brilliance, converting a fourth-and-short with a 16-yard scramble in the third quarter, but the Rebels stalled when Georgia’s pressure began to collapse the pocket.
Georgia finds its rhythm
The Bulldogs offense, steady all night, capitalized every time Ole Miss faltered. Stockton’s accuracy and command kept Georgia ahead in the time-of-possession battle and prevented the Rebels’ defense from resting.
Despite losing key contributors — including receiver Colbie Young (ankle) and safety Kyron Jones (foot) — Georgia found enough depth to finish strong.
The win positions Georgia to move up in the AP Top 25, while Ole Miss is expected to remain in the top 10 despite the road loss.
The takeaway
Georgia: Stockton continues to mature as a steady, efficient leader under pressure. The defense, though shaky early, delivered in crunch time with two consecutive stops that changed the game’s momentum.
Ole Miss: The Rebels’ offense remains explosive but showed vulnerability once Georgia’s front seven adjusted. The inability to match Georgia’s late surge ultimately ended their unbeaten run.
Up Next:
Ole Miss: Visits No. 14 Oklahoma next Saturday.
Georgia: Gets a bye week before facing Florida in Jacksonville on Nov. 1.
