Game of the New Year

Quite the nail-biter of a Peach Bowl last night, as Ohio State's offense made the elite Bulldog defense look quite human. UGA only led 53 seconds in the first half, and only 54 seconds in the second. At least two plays will be remembered: Kirby's last-nanosecond time out before the sucsessful OSU fake punt, and TE Brock Bowers' Matrix-like stretch to stay inbounds to convert a crucial first down.

UGA didn't really rush the passer well all season. They knew they'd need to pressure OSU QB CJ Stroud to win the game. After the Buckeyes went up 7-0 it seemed like the Dawgs did better pressuring the QB, but then in the second half hardly any pressure at all. Then they'd rush up the middle and Stroud would just sidestep them and drift to the outside. The TCU QB loves to run, so UGA must address this weakness.

The UGA defense has so many injuries, particularly DE Nolan Smith. His replacement went down in the Peach Bowl. Also all-SEC TE Darnell Washington. Buckeye fans were bemoaning the fact their WR got knocked out of the game, but UGA was missing just as many players. The Dawgs benifited from a couple of crucial calls that went their way, but OSU received their fair share as well. 

W&MC were at the game with Thomas & Holly. Thomas graduated from TCU and Holly from UGA, so they've secured tickets to the national championship game. A&C watched on TV.

Crazy that the fateful field goal attempt took place right when the clock struck midnight. I heard that Buckeye fans were watching at a packed bar in Ohio. As the kick wobbled wide left, hundreds of balloons and confetti were released from the ceiling.

I love me some Stetson Bennett, though he was uncharacteristically off target for a good chunk of the game. But in the fourth quarter Bennett rebounded and tossed two TD passes.

Interesting that Stetson is 25 years old, had a redshirt season as well as an extra covid season, but still doesn't wear the patch signifying that he's a college graduate. Does he have the motor board sticker on the back of his helmet?

After the kick Kirby was telling his players on the bench to stay off the field, but Stetson was running wild. After the game ended the TV showed Bennett hugging his brother. It reminded me of when Doug Flutie threw his Hail Mary, and he was hugging his brother Darren, a BC WR.

Of course I waited until the game ended to take Winnie outside. She was already uncomfortable from hearing the fireworks, and at 12:05 am of course the neighborhood fireworks were still going strong. I couldn't see them but I could see the smoke. Winnie took one step outside and didn't want to go any further.

After the awards ceremony we went upstairs to bed. Miss Shivonne had gone to bed hours earlier, but there she was still awake, sitting up in her crib. She went right back to sleep. Didn't get to sleep quite as late as I'd wanted this morning. Shivonne ate a big breakfast.

Watched the Falcons and took a nap. Cleaned upstairs and did some laundry.