The Texas Longhorns fell to the Georgia Bulldogs in the 2024 SEC Championship. After a strong start, Texas could not finish off Georgia in OT. Challenges faced by the Texas Longhorns included no Kelvin Banks Jr. for this game. Trevor Etienne, who had been instrumental in Georgia’s previous defeat of Texas, returned from a rib injury. After a low-scoring game, this championship was decided in a shockingly brief OT. The Texas Longhorns were looking for revenge that did not come. They must now look forward to beating them next season. Regardless of how it ended, their first season in the SEC was a wild, magical, and historic ride.
SEC Championship Ends in Heartbreak for Texas
Their first bout against Georgia went less than stellar for the Texas Longhorns. They sadly did not fare much better in this rematch against Georgia.
1st Quarter
Texas started strong in the first quarter. Despite not being able to score a touchdown, they held Georgia back. Texas Longhorns Kicker Bert Auburn scored most of his field goals. Georgia was held scoreless. Texas had a strong defensive output despite missing Kelvin Banks Jr, due to injury. Running Back Tre Wisner, who notched a career-high rushing yards his last two games, had multiple aggressive runs pushing through the Bulldogs. That’s not to say Georgia’s defense was slacking; quite the contrary. Quinn Ewers was sacked with 1:35 left in the quarter and Texas Longhorn Matthew Golden capped off the quarter with a huge catch.
2nd Quarter
Backup QB Arch Manning was brought in the second quarter on 4th and 1. This strategy, like so many times before, paid off nicely. Blue got the first down through Manning’s legs and Auburn kicked the 42-yard field goal. The Texas Longhorns’ lead lasted until Peyton Woodring made a 44-yard field goal. Another FG attempt by Texas Longhorns Kicker Auburn hooked wide, keeping the score 6-3. At this point, Texas had recorded 234 yards to Georgia’s 53 and nearly doubled their possession time. The final wild play of the half saw the fall of Georgia QB Carson Beck.
3rd Quarter
The second half was the first time things did not start out Texas’ way. News broke that Georgia Bulldogs Quarterback Carson Beck would not be returning to the game. His backup, Gunner Stockton, put on a strong performance, reenergizing the crowd. And just like that, Trevor Etienne scored a 10-yard rushing touchdown. For the first time all game, Georgia was ahead 10-6.
Ewers found his favorite targets Matthew Golden and Tre Wisner but was unable to advance. The Texas Longhorns saw opportunities later with a 26-yard return by Silas Bolden. Unfortunately for Georgia, their punter Brett Thorson faced a non-contact knee injury running after Bolden. Unfortunately, Texas failed to capitalize, and Quinn Ewers was sacked. Texas Longhorns Kicker Bert Auburn missed a 51-yard FG attempt.
4th Quarter
The Texas Longhorns got their act together within two minutes of the fourth quarter beginning. Wide Receiver Moore Jr. caught an Ewers rocket and crossed the goal line. Texas’ first touchdown was punctuated by an extra point, and the SEC Championship Game was tied 13-13. Georgia then pushed ahead with a constant stream of first downs and recovered fumbles. Georgia was able to score another field goal and pull ahead 16-13.
Things took a further turn as Ewers was sacked and picked off, but the Texas Longhorns would not go quietly into that good night. With a little over two minutes to go, Texas Defensive Back Barron intercepted Georgia’s QB. The Longhorns made their way down the field despite their 11th penalty for 94 yards. There were some key plays made by Moore Jr., and Wisner, and a pass interference penalty called on Georgia. Georgia also recorded their seventh sack of the night on Quinn Ewers. Ultimately, Texas made a 37-yard FG forcing OT.
OT
Things started promisingly for the Texas Longhorns after a flashy first down to freshman Ryan Wingo. This would not last, and after multiple incompletions, the field goal team was brought out. After a successful 32-yard attempt, Texas was back on top 19-16. As per OT rules, it was now Georgia’s turn. Their drive would end up finishing the game fairly quickly.
Georgia would immediately pick up nine yards. However, Texas Longhorns Defensive Back Andrew Mukuba was not having that. He was instrumental in blocking the Georgia Bulldogs progress – to an extent. He was flagged for targeting – a call that was reversed upon further review. This would not be the break that the Texas Longhorns thought it would be.
After previously leaving earlier in the game, who should come back in but Carson Beck. Georgia’s starting quarterback returned after his right elbow was wrapped in ice. This would be all it took, as Beck engineered a 4-yard rushing touchdown by Trevor Etienne. It was all over and the Georgia Bulldogs claimed victory 22-19.
Final Thoughts
Another SEC Championship has come and gone. The Texas Longhorns made a valiant effort in their first year of being in the SEC. For Georgia’s part, Trevor Etienne proved his status as a known threat to Texas. He was just as destructive as he was in the previous matchup. The Texas Longhorns defensive line had work to do without Banks Jr, but for the most part, this was not their issue.
The game was lost after strong performances by both teams working to come out ahead of each other. This SEC Championship was certainly one to remember. In the first OT in history for a game like this, Texas even pulled slightly ahead with a field goal. Their undoing was Georgia’s final touchdown and, to no one’s surprise, Running Back Trevor Etienne put the final nail in their coffin.
