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STATS THAT
MATTER
GEORGIA – 42
OHIO STATE - 41
BY: COBY SERINA
A look back at what decided the game
between Georgia and Ohio State.
C.J. STROUD WAS LIGHTS
OUT, BUT THE GEORGIA
D CAME THROUGH WHEN
NEEDED!
PHOTO BY: CARTER HORNE
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Helping UGA fans look
their very best since 1975
Stetson Fleming Bennett IV and the
physicality of these 2022 Georgia Bulldogs
are two core identities that have shaped
them to be the team that they are to this
point. They’re one game away from lifting
5.2
another National Championship trophy
and they have their Heisman finalist, run
game, and defense to credit for it. Of course,
there’s more to it, but those three things in
particular have been essential.
And it just so happens that those three
atttributes were on full display against
Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes in
the Peach Bowl last Saturday. The most
impressive of which was Stetson Bennett’s
fourth quarter performance. The sixth year
senior admitted that for a “30 minute period”
he played bad football, but when he wasn’t
living up to his standards he was going
above and beyond them.
His play on New Year’s Eve has his team back
for another national title against the 13-1
TCU Horned Frogs led by Sonny Dykes and
fellow Heisman Finalist Max Duggan. While
Vegas will keep the odds heavily leaning
in the Dawgs favor, keep in mind there’s a
reason that these games are actually played.
The numbers aren’t everything, but for the
Dawgs’ Peach Bowl victory here are the stats
that mattered.
190
In the fourth quarter of the 2022 Peach
Bowl, something just clicked in Stetson
Bennett. Down 14 points in a College
Football Playoff semi-final game, the
mailman did what he does best: delivered.
10 for 12 for 190 yards, two touchdowns,
to seven different receivers. Video game
numbers,
27
for sure. 190 is an impressive
halftime stat, but Bennett managed to fit it
all into 15 minutes. Although the numbers
are impressive, it’s the mentality that
should really boggle the mind. To start the
second half Bennett only amassed 17 yards
through the air, and on the other side of the
ball, Ohio State continued to add to their
lead. It takes a different kind of man to be
a difference maker, and Stetson Bennett
proved that he was just that in the Dawgs
42-41 victory over the Buckeyes.
5.2
Don’t be distracted by the sky-high passing
statistics and the big numbers on the
scoreboard. There’s a reason the Dawgs
were able to put up those kinds of numbers,
and it starts with having a physical rushing
attack. Coach Smart always says that teams
that can run the ball are more often than
not the guys that come out on top in these
big postseason games, and that’s just what
they were able to do (averaging 5.2 yards/
carry). Albeit there was a lot of catchup to
be played because of the volatility of the
Ohio State offense, but when they needed
to pound it on the ground, the Dawgs
were getting it done at a high level. A good
chunk of that yardage did come out of a
52-yard Kenny McIntosh run, but regardless,
fellow backs Daijun Edwards and Kendall
Milton averaged 7.3 and 8.7 yards per carry
respectively. RBU is in good shape heading
into its second national championship
appearance in the past two years.
190
27
The Georgia defense’s most impressive
stand began with a 5-yard rush from C.J.
Stroud in what would be the Buckeye’s final
possession of the game with 54 seconds
left to go. Subsequent play is a 12-yard
throw and catch to Julian Flemming. Next
play Stroud steps back and rolls to evade
pressure. What looked like a coverage sack
turned into a 27-yard run to put Ohio State
in position to kick a game-winning field
goal and take this one home. While fans at
home may have had their hands on their
head preparing for the end, the Georgia
defense didn’t even bother to flinch. Now on
the UGA 31, the Buckeyes tried a run which
went for a one yard loss. Stroud attempted
a pass, broken up by Kelee Ringo. Stroud
tried again, but it goes out of bounds. The
Dawgs bring the Buckeyes to fourth down.
Day calls on the kicking team, and they miss.
Even in the face of death, Georgia’s defense
remained composed, and even though they
let up 41 points, the defense won the game
on that drive.
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 46 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW