Stetson Bennett becomes an instant Georgia legend in historic national title win

Max Duggan was determined. So typically throughout this most inconceivable of soccer seasons for Texas Christian, the Horned Frogs’ fearless Heisman Trophy finalist was at his most harmful in these significantly grim moments, crushed and bruised together with his again in opposition to the wall, compelled to dig down deep, conjuring no matter miracle he might handle by means of a mix of sheer will and intestinal fortitude.

But no quantity of coronary heart or hope or, heck, even divine intervention might compete with the crushing inevitability of the Georgia Bulldogs, who left no discernible doubt about who belonged atop the game as they rolled to a 65-7 victory on Monday at SoFi Stadium, essentially the most lopsided within the historical past of the School Soccer Playoff.

Georgia (15-0) had spent all of their title protection this season particularly stomping out such miracles, successful 14 straight in scorched-earth style forward of Monday, when a determined Duggan dropped again simply earlier than half of the nationwide title sport, hoping his Horned Frogs would possibly nonetheless have a shot and a prayer.

Besides that acquainted model of hope, which had stored TCU (13-2) alive all season, wouldn’t do a lot good right here. Not in opposition to a dominant Georgia protection that held TCU beneath 200 yards or its well-oiled machine on offense, which racked up practically 600. Not in opposition to the defending nationwide champions, who hadn’t misplaced since final yr’s Southeastern Convention Championship sport. Not in opposition to Stetson Bennett, one other Heisman finalist at quarterback whose personal underdog story certainly shall be recounted for years to return.

In Georgia’s case, there was by no means any want this season to depend on hope or maintain out for miracles. Prefer it had so many instances earlier than on its technique to changing into the primary repeat faculty champion in over a decade, Georgia would overwhelm TCU in each different side of the sport. By the point Duggan threw that ill-fated third-down move right into a crowd of Georgia defenders, the Bulldogs had already left little doubt. The interception — his second — solely sped up the method.

Quickly sufficient, Bennett would do the remainder.

The sixth-year senior quarterback had way back already cemented his place in Georgia lore. A former walk-on who dreamed of at some point quarterbacking the Bulldogs had already carried the storied program to a nationwide title the yr earlier than, ending a 40-year drought. He’d confirmed practically everybody flawed within the course of, his personal coaches included, leaving little about his collegiate legacy in query.

Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker sacks TCU quarterback Max Duggan throughout the second half.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Occasions)

However leaving on prime final season had by no means settled proper with Bennett. Nearly one yr in the past precisely, he confirmed up in Georgia coach Kirby Good’s workplace, asking the coach if he ought to return.

“He stated, ‘I don’t perceive all people’s telling me I ought to simply experience off into the sundown and be the legendary quarterback who gained a nationwide title,’” Good recalled. “‘That’s not who I’m. I don’t get it. Why ought to I do this if I’ve a chance to play once more? Why don’t we go win it once more?’”

That bulletproof self-assurance was on show from the beginning Monday as Bennett put collectively a career-defining efficiency. He accounted for six touchdowns himself, two of which got here on the bottom, tying a School Soccer Playoff document. He threw for 304 yards and added 39 together with his legs.

Georgia operating again Daijun Edwards carries the ball in opposition to TCU within the second half.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Occasions)

Georgia vast receiver Adonai Mitchell (5) catches a landing move over TCU cornerback Josh Newton within the first half.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Occasions)

“Stetson speaks for himself, the way in which he leads and prepares,” Good stated. “His psychological make-up is such of a quarterback that believes he could make each throw, and what he did tonight was really wonderful. In all probability had his greatest sport of his profession, in my view.”

The stellar stats alone couldn’t fairly seize how utterly and confidently the quarterback had quelled issues of an upset on Monday night time. Bennett marched Georgia down the sphere in simply 5 performs on its opening drive, ending it himself with a 21-yard keeper for a rating.

He added one other landing on a 37-yard deep ball to Ladd McConkey and one other on a second keeper for a rating earlier than Duggan handed the ball again simply earlier than the half, with the Bulldogs already main 31-7.

Georgia coach Kirby Good celebrates after defeating TCU for the school soccer nationwide title on Monday at SoFi Stadium.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Occasions)

Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett celebrates with the nationwide championship trophy after the Bulldogs’ win over TCU.

(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Occasions)

Advertisement

It was in that second that Georgia and its quarterback determined to douse any lingering hope of a comeback with kerosene. Bennett launched a move effortlessly towards the tip zone, the place Adonai Mitchell got here down with a landing whereas combating with a TCU defender.

There was little struggle left within the Horned Frogs after that. They managed simply 67 yards within the second half, stifled by a dominant Georgia protection.

“They’re an amazing staff,” Duggan stated. “Clearly that’s not what we thought was going to occur or wished to occur or what we labored for. Nevertheless it was simply a type of nights we couldn’t actually do a lot on our finish.”

In the long run, it was as soon as once more pink confetti that fell from the sky, a conclusion that each one faculty soccer season had felt inevitable. The plucky upstarts had been pummeled. A second nationwide title had been secured. And now, there was no query of the place he would go from right here. So Stetson Bennett took a puff from his cigar and took within the scene, realizing he and Georgia had rolled their approach into the document books as soon as once more.