Bennett delivers as Bulldogs tame Tigers to win SEC title
Bennett delivers as Bulldogs tame Tigers to win SEC title
ATLANTA — Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett delivered when it mattered most against LSU. The super senior tossed a season-high four passing TDs in a 50-30 win over the Tigers.
All four of Bennett’s passing scores came in the first half to four different UGA players. The Bulldogs’ signal-caller connected with Brock Bowers, Ladd McConkey, Darnell Washington and Dillon Bell during the first two quarters of action against LSU.
Bennett acknowledged that Georgia’s offensive success all came down to its execution.
“I was familiar with the plays. We repped them a lot during the week and during the season. We had executed them during the week,” Bennett said. “When it's the SEC Championship, you’ve got to play confidently. If you don't, then they're going to beat you. [We’ve] got good players. I don't think I got touched tonight. Our O-line was incredible.”
Bennett completed 23 of 29 pass attempts for 274 yards and four TDs against the Tigers. He spread the wealth around as 10 different Bulldogs hauled in at least one pass. Bennett’s favorite target was Bowers, who caught six passes for 81 yards and a score.
Bennett also highlighted that he thought Georgia’s offense was in sync against the Tigers.
“I felt like we were in a rhythm,” Bennett said. “We were in a zone. It felt like what we were calling, we were executing. We were having fun playing football there.”
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart was impressed with his quarterback’s performance on Saturday.
“Absolutely. I mean, I think it’s one of those things, this guy’s 23 of 29 in the second half. I mean, he didn’t get to do a whole lot in the second half, so I don’t know what he was in the first half,” Smart said. “He’s played really well. I had several people come up to me and say they thought he played the best game of his career tonight. He played really well.”
Bennett has led Georgia to a 13-0 record this season and another College Football Playoff berth. He helped the Bulldogs win their first national championship in 41 years in 2021. Now, Bennett has an SEC Championship to add to his collegiate resume.
He explained that he was happy to have finally won a conference title.
“Yeah, I think winning the SEC [championship] is a big deal. This is the best conference in football,” Bennett said. “National championships are huge and great. That's our next goal, but the SEC is the first goal and the second goal after winning the East. Winning the SEC championship, there's only one of those. It's a banner. It's the same thing as a national championship, just a little bit smaller scale. So, yeah, it was important.”
The Nahunta, Ga., native has completed 249 of 395 passes for 3,425 yards with 20 TDs and six INTs in 2022. Bennett has been productive on the ground as well, rushing for 243 yards with seven scores. He also has a chance to become Georgia’s single-season passing leader, which is currently held by former quarterback Aaron Murray at 3,893 yards.
Murray, who holds multiple program and SEC records, tweeted: “Not only is Stetson Bennett going to NYC, he has moved into GOAT status at UGA. He is the greatest QB in Georgia history.”
Bennett was named the 2022 SEC Championship Game MVP with his performance on Saturday. He becomes the fourth Georgia player to earn the honor. Former Bulldogs David Greene (2002), D.J. Shockley (2005) and Roquan Smith (2017) are the three other MVPs.
Georgia will more than likely play in Mercedes-Benz Stadium again in the Peach Bowl on Dec. 31.
“Yeah, I mean, we like this place,” Bennett said. “I don't know if it's the turf or humidity. I don't know if it's the turf or the humidity. Good Lord, it was hot in there today. I'm about to cramp up sitting here and I barely ran. I don't think it's anything about this place in particular. I think we just had a good game plan and went out and executed it.”
Here is the post-game press conference for Smart, Bennett and Chris Smith: