Carson Beck has a stellar record as Georgia football's starting quarterback with only one blemish.
It happened on the first Saturday of last December and seven months later it's still fresh in his mind.
So Beck spoke with reporters after the morning session on the first day of the Manning Passing Academy in Thibodaux, Louisiana, last week and spoke candidly about his and the Bulldogs' lone loss during the 2023 season, which saw them go 13-1.
He was asked how much Georgia's 27-24 loss to Alabama in the SEC Championship Game and elimination from the College Football Playoff “affected” him and his teammates.
“Well, I can speak for myself,” Beck said. “Obviously, it's really frustrating, but you can't help it. Of course, when you lose a game like that in such an important game, you think about it, but every season is different.”
Georgia looks poised to once again challenge for the national title this year, the first season of an expanded 12-team playoff. Georgia must play strong road games against Alabama on Sept. 28, Texas on Oct. 19 and Ole Miss on Nov. 9.
Beck played some serious away games last season at Auburn, Vanderbilt, Tennessee and Georgia Tech.
The game against the Longhorns, who officially became SEC members on Monday, will be Beck's first time at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.
“I've actually never been to the stadium,” said Beck, who served as a counselor at the camp. “I've heard it's a great environment. I'm really looking forward to it. Obviously, they're going to be a top team and we're going to be a top team. I'm really excited about this tournament and to be able to play in their stadium. I think it's a great place to play away.”
Beck, projected to be a high pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, passed for 3,941 yards with 24 touchdowns and six interceptions last season, but failed to throw a touchdown pass against Alabama, completing 21 of 29 passes for 243 yards and being sacked twice.
Georgia finished 13-0 and out of the playoffs, having to settle for a matchup with Florida State, a team devastated by player withdrawals.
Georgia missed the playoffs but still dominated the Seminoles, 63-3.
“If they'd expanded a year earlier, that would have been great,” Beck said with a laugh.
–USA Today Sports reporter David Eckert in Thibodaux, Louisiana, contributed to this report.
