Back-to-Back: Bennett leads Bulldogs in rout of TCU
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart called a timeout with 13 minutes left in the fourth quarter to let quarterback Stetson Bennett soak in the moment.
The sixth-year senior then walked off the field at SoFi Stadium with a standing ovation after his performance in the Bulldogs’ 65-7 win over Texas Christian University (TCU) in the national title game.
For one final time, Bennett, also known as the “Mailman,” delivered for the No. 1 Bulldogs.
Bennett acknowledged he was emotional during the huddle before he walked off the field.
“The huddle, because I told all the guys, what are we doing?”
Bennett asked after the game.
“Why don’t we have a play? I was like they’re letting me walk out of here. But in the huddle, just as simple as it is, just one last huddle with the guys. And that was special coming off and seeing coach Smart, that was really cool, and I appreciate that a lot.”
Bennett completed 18-of-25 passes (72 percent) for 304 yards and four TDs. He also totaled 39 rushing yards on three attempts while adding two more scores on the ground.
The Nahunta native also accounted for 36 of the Bulldogs’ 65 points, which ties a record set by LSU quarterback Joe Burrow in the CFP national title game in 2019.
Bennett was already a legend before this game, although he added to his legacy on Monday.
However, he brushed off comments that he is the greatest quarterback in program history.
“There are so many different variables that go in -- scheme, players around you. I’ve been along for three years, we brought back pretty much the entire core of our offense from last year, so we were all clicking,” Bennett said. “We had a really good offense. It makes me proud of what I’ve accomplished when I hear that because it means I’ve done some things right, but I don’t know if it’s accurate or not.
I grew up watching Murray and Stafford and Shock and Greene.
And who’s to say? Those dudes were all amazing.”
Bennett started his stellar performance on Georgia’s first offensive drive. He marched the Bulldogs right down the field, scoring in five plays, and covered a lot of yardage in the process.
Georgia faced a 2nd-and-3 from the TCU 21-yard line when Bennett took matters into his own hands.
He took the snap, dropped back, and then took off running for a 21-yard score. Bennett’s TD rush put the Bulldogs up 7-0 early and they never looked back.
The Horned Frogs were able to get a score and trail 10-7 later on in the first quarter, but Georgia would respond. A few plays into the next drive, Bennett dropped back in the pocket and delivered a 37-yard TD pass to wide receiver Ladd McConkey in the end zone for six.
It was all Georgia after that. Bennett then tossed three more scores and rushed for another. The Bulldogs scored 58 unanswered points following TCU’s lone TD of the night.
Smart highlighted that Bennett’s performance on Monday night was “the best of his career.”
“His mental makeup is that of a quarterback that believes he can make every throw, and what he did tonight was truly amazing,” Smart said. “(It was) probably the best game of his career with some of the checks he made, and some of the decisions he made. Just really elite.”
Georgia offensive lineman Tate Ratledge was thrilled for his quarterback after the victory.
“I have tremendous respect for Stetson,” Ratledge said. “Just the way he goes about himself, and the way he’s always been doubted. You just can’t say enough about a guy like him.”
McConkey, who hauled in five receptions for 88 yards and two TDs, was extremely impressed with Bennett’s determination to leave as a champion.
“Everything he’s earned, he deserves. He started at the bottom, literally, and worked his way to the top,” McConkey said. “Now, he’s going to go down and out as one of the greatest quarterbacks in the University of Georgia’s history. I couldn’t be happier for him.”
Bennett will leave the program as one of its most successful quarterbacks. He also made history on Monday as he broke Aaron Murray’s single-season passing yards record (4,127 yards)..
The Pierce County product leaves the Bulldogs with a 65.1-percent completion rate, the best in program history, with a minimum of 300 career pass attempts. Bennett also ranks fourth in passing yards (8,428) and fifth in TDs (66).
Smart said that he believes that Bennett can succeed at the next level as a pro.
“People have slept on Stetson (Bennett) for too long,” Smart said. “He needs an opportunity to play for a long time at the next level.”