Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack had high praise for Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton heading into Saturday night’s showdown in Athens.
Why Does Kane Wommack’s Praise of Gunner Stockton Worry Alabama Fans?
Wommack spoke about Georgia’s quarterback at a press conference today. His comments focused on Stockton’s running ability – something Alabama fans have been worried about given the team’s recent struggles against mobile quarterbacks.
He said, “I think he’s operating very efficiently right now. I think what they’re doing with him and the grit and toughness that they have shown, great football team, that will be a tremendous challenge.”
“We’ve got to become more consistent as a football team of how we handle adversity on the road and I can’t think of a better place than being able to test and prove that in Athens, Georgia this upcoming Saturday,” he continued.
He has previously also praised Stockton at a 68 Ventures Bowl event this week.
“I’ve been really impressed with their quarterback. I’ve been really impressed with Gunner,” Wommack said.
He continued, “Highly efficient in what he’s doing. I think Coach Bobo’s doing a great job of kind of working the frame of what they do offensively within the framework of what Gunner does well. He runs the ball well. He does a really good job of making decisions in the perimeter game.”
The comments highlight Alabama’s biggest worry this season – Wommack is praising exactly what dual-threat quarterbacks have used to hurt the Crimson Tide defense.
Florida State’s Thomas Castellanos exposed these problems in the season opener, rushing for 78 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries during the Seminoles’ 31-17 upset.
Last season brought similar struggles against Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia, who carried 20 times as his offense scored 40 points, and Oklahoma’s Jackson Arnold, who rushed for 131 yards on 25 carries.
Stockton presents the same type of threat when Alabama travels to Athens on Saturday. The redshirt junior has rushed for 124 yards and three touchdowns on 28 carries through three games, adding mobility that previous Georgia quarterbacks like Carson Beck didn’t provide.
What Apart From Stockton Makes Georgia Difficult for Alabama?
Georgia presents Alabama with multiple problems to solve on Saturday night. Stockton can damage them with his running, but running back Nate Frazier gives Alabama another runner to worry about.
Georgia’s receiving corps has gotten better this season, with Zachariah Branch leading the way. Alabama faces a dilemma where focusing on Stockton’s running opens up the passing game, while playing back to cover receivers gives Stockton room to scramble.
To handle these challenges, Alabama will have defensive tackle Tim Keenan III available after his return from injury. The senior’s presence strengthens the interior defensive line, though containing Stockton’s mobility will require discipline from the entire defense.
Georgia enters Saturday undefeated at 3-0 with momentum from their dramatic overtime victory at Tennessee. Kirby Smart’s team appears more balanced than in recent seasons, as Stockton’s running threat has opened up the entire offense and given Georgia multiple ways to attack defenses.
Wommack’s praise of Stockton this week suggests he understands the challenge ahead, but understanding it and stopping it are two different things. Saturday’s game will test whether they have solved this problem.
