While last year's national championship game was a nail-biter, watching the Dawgs unprecedented blowout last night was just as fun, a celebration of the season and era in UGA football. The game gave hope and desire for next season. More thoughts from the game:
UGA only rushed three linemen, but usually blitzed at least one other defender. You never knew where that extra guy was coming from, either from up the middle or from either end.
The TCU QB was supposed to be a running threat. He finished with minus 38 yards rushing. UGA QB Stetson Bennett rushed for 39 yards and two TDs. With four TD passes, his 6 total TDs tied Joe Burrow’s record for most TDs in a championship game.
TCU came into the game with momentum, embracing the underdog role. I had expected TCU to put up more of a fight. This season TCU scored 38 59 42 55 38 43 38 41 34 17 29 62 31 and 51 points, an average of 41 per game. They had several penalties due to nerves, at least two on kickoff and / or punt that pushed the Horned Frogs further back.
Announcer Kirk Herbstreit wondered who disrespected UGA, but he himself picked Tennessee to beat the Dawgs this year. After UGA blew out the Vols, the next week Kirk had to eat his words the next week, basically apologizing for not giving credit to the defending national champions.
I appreciated what Kirby said after the game, that his hardest battle is against entitlement, the big-headedness players get from success. At least three players announced they were forgoing their final year of eligibility to turn pro, missing out on the chance of an unprecedented third straight national championship.
Many today are saying Stetson is the greatest Bulldog of all time. Greatest UGA QB for sure. Perhaps a top three or four player. Without much research, here are my top ten UGGA QBs.
10. Matt Robinson SEC champ
9. Ray Goff SEC champ
8. David Greene SEC champ
7. David Paddock All American 1913-1915
6. Zeke Bratkowski All American
5. Aaron Murray SEC all time pass yds leader
4. Matthew Stafford #1 overall pick
3. Fran Tarkenton CFHOF AA PFHOF
2. Buck Belue natl champ SEC champ
1. Stetson Bennett 2 nattys
Some say Stetson's number should be retired. Even three-time all-America David Pollock has yet to be given that honor. Theron Sapp's number retirement might've been a hasty decision, bestowed for breaking a losing streak against Tech.
21 Frank Sinkwich
34 Herschel Walker
40 Theron Sapp
62 Charley Trippi
For all his success, Stetson’s answers to questions sometime lack introspection. Sure, the kid is only 25. I try to think about how I would’ve handled such success at that age. Bennett did give credit to the rest of the team. Many fans are finally getting their wish: someone else will be the QB next season. Going 15-0 again should be a breeze. Heir apparent Carson Beck did look sharp last night, though I’d sure like to see Gunnar Stockton get his chance.
Everyone is talking about UGA’s weak 2023 schedule, yet the Dawgs really only control three of the games. Oklahoma had been on the schedule but had to back out. No mention of that. UGA doesn’t play Bama or LSU during the regular season due to the SEC’s rotating schedule, but will surely have to face one of them in the SEC Championship Game. No mention of the face-off with Tennessee. UGA opens the 2024 season against Clemson. An article unfairly belittles the schedule, ridiculing UGA for playing Georgia Tech among other schools. UGA has played GT for over 100 years, but that’s besides the point. There are rumors UGA will force GT to move the game to a different date.
That said, the Dawgs have only lost one game in two years, and avenged that loss. They’ve beaten Bama, Ohio State, Michigan, Oregon, Tennessee, TCU, LSU, and everyone else. Auburn and Florida are down right now, though SC and Kentucky are on the rise. Still a tougher schedule than Ohio State, Michigan, and TCU.
Went to the gym this AM but took it easy. Small group tonight. Hot Stove tomorrow night.
More scientific reports of young people suddenly dying. Three more reports crossed my algorythmic feed today.
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