The college football world shifted on its axis during the 2024 season, and if you're asking who won ga texas game, the answer is a double dose of red and black. Georgia didn't just win; they essentially acted as the welcoming committee for Texas's first year in the SEC by showing them exactly how physical life in this conference is going to be.
Twice.
The Bulldogs took down the Longhorns not once, but twice in marquee matchups that defined the 2024 campaign. First, they went into Austin and silenced a "burnt orange" crowd that was convinced they were the new kings of the hill. Then, they backed it up in December by grinding out an overtime win in the SEC Championship. If you were a Longhorns fan, 2024 was basically a year-long lesson in Kirby Smart’s defensive philosophy.
The October Shocker: Georgia 30, Texas 15
Let's talk about that October 19th game first. Honestly, it was a bloodbath in the first half. Texas came in ranked No. 1 in the country, looking invincible after a hot start. By halftime, they were trailing 23-0.
It was ugly.
Quinn Ewers, the Texas quarterback who usually looks like he’s playing a video game on easy mode, was under siege. Georgia’s Jalon Walker turned into a one-man wrecking crew, racking up three sacks by himself. The Bulldogs' defense was so stifling that Steve Sarkisian actually pulled Ewers for a bit to put in Arch Manning, hoping for a spark. It didn't work. The Longhorns were held to a measly 38 total yards in the first two quarters.
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Trevor Etienne was the hero on the ground for Georgia. He finished with three rushing touchdowns, including a one-yard plunge in the fourth quarter that basically iced the game. Even though Carson Beck struggled with three interceptions, the defense was so dominant it didn't even matter.
The Bottles, the Flags, and the Chaos
You can't talk about this game without mentioning the "Bottle Toss." Late in the third quarter, Jahdae Barron intercepted Beck and returned it to the 9-yard line. A flag flew for defensive pass interference. Texas fans lost their minds.
Water bottles rained down on the field. The game stopped for several minutes.
In a bizarre turn of events, the officials actually got together and overturned the penalty during the delay. It was one of the most controversial officiating moments in recent SEC history. Kirby Smart was livid on the sideline, arguing that the crowd essentially "bullied" the refs into changing the call. Texas scored shortly after to make it 23-15, but Georgia’s defense clamped down again to finish it 30-15.
The SEC Championship Rematch: Georgia 22, Texas 19 (OT)
If the first game was a statement, the second one was a survival test. On December 7, 2024, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, the stakes were even higher. The winner got a first-round bye in the newly expanded 12-team College Football Playoff.
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This game was a defensive slog.
Neither team could move the ball consistently. Texas had a 260-54 yard advantage in the first half but only led 6-3 because of self-inflicted wounds and penalties. Then, disaster struck for Georgia: Carson Beck went down with an injury.
Enter Gunner Stockton.
The backup quarterback, who had barely seen meaningful snaps, had to step into the biggest game of his life. He wasn't flashy, but he was gutsy. He led the Bulldogs to 13 points in the second half. Texas managed to tie it up with a late field goal by Bert Auburn to force overtime at 16-16.
In the extra period, Texas settled for a field goal. Georgia, knowing a touchdown won it, handed the ball to Trevor Etienne again. He powered through for a 4-yard score, giving Georgia the 22-19 victory and their third SEC title under Smart.
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Key Stats and Players
- Trevor Etienne: The definitive "Texas Slayer." He scored five total touchdowns across the two games against the Longhorns in 2024.
- Jalon Walker: His performance in Austin (3 sacks, 8 solo tackles) solidified him as a top-tier NFL prospect.
- The Texas Run Game: Georgia completely deleted it. In the SEC Championship, Texas ran 28 times for only 31 yards. You can't win big games when you're that one-dimensional.
- Gunner Stockton: 12-of-16 for 71 yards in relief during the title game. It wasn't "Heisman" numbers, but it was "Winner" numbers.
The Aftermath for Both Teams
Georgia used these wins to secure the No. 1 overall seed (or a top bye) in the College Football Playoff, while Texas had to settle for hosting a first-round game. The real takeaway, though, was the power dynamic. Many experts thought Texas would steamroll the SEC. Georgia proved that the road to the title still runs through Athens.
For Texas, the 2024 games were a "welcome to the big leagues" moment. They have the talent, but Georgia’s depth on the defensive line was a puzzle they couldn't solve in 120 minutes of football.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're looking back at these games to understand the future of the SEC, keep an eye on these specific trends. First, watch the recruiting battles for defensive linemen; Georgia’s ability to rotate "monsters" upfront is why they won both games despite mediocre quarterback play at times.
Second, pay attention to the "home field" myth. Georgia winning in Austin by 15 points shows that top-tier SEC teams aren't intimidated by 100,000-seat stadiums. If you're betting or predicting future matchups, look at the "trench" stats (sacks and rushing yards per carry) rather than the hype surrounding the quarterbacks. That's where the 2024 Georgia-Texas series was actually decided.