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Nothing is going to come easy for Gunner Stockton against Notre Dame during the College Football Playoff quarterfinal on New Year’s Day. 

The third-year sophomore will be behind center for Georgia as they aim to stave off an upset at the hands of the Fighting Irish. 

Stockton took over at quarterback for the Bulldogs after Carson Beck injured his elbow during the SEC championship game on Dec. 3, miraculously leading them to a 22-19 comeback win over Texas to punch their ticket to the playoff. 

But Stockton’s numbers belie the feel-good story. 

During essentially one half of play, Stockton threw for just 71 yards with an interception and no touchdowns. 

Over 12 connections through the air, Stockton averaged just 5.9 yards per completion, relying on mostly dump offs and throws underneath. 

Gunner Stockton drops back to pass during Georgia’s win over Texas in the 2024 SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

That outing came against a stout Longhorn pass defense, although his task on Wednesday will be arguably just as tough, and now his opponent will come into the game with several weeks of tape on the second year backup. 

Notre Dame was the third-ranked team in college football in passing yards allowed per attempt (5.6) and passing yards allowed per game (162.3).

The Fighting Irish held a strong pass attack at bay during the first round of the College Football Playoff earlier this month.

Indiana’s Kurtis Rourke threw for just 215 yards against Notre Dame after averaging more than 250 a game during the regular season.

It’s safe to say Stockton is nowhere near as talented as Rourke, who finished ninth in the Heisman Trophy voting. 

The play: Gunner Stockton to throw for fewer than 177.5 yards (-115, Caesars Sportsbook)