The passer ratings from yesterday’s starting quarterbacks:
- McNamara: 83.7
- Ridder: 90.9
- Young: 143.2
- Bennett: 187.3
That, despite violating a sacred rule about Georgia quarterbacking, throwing 30 times in a game.
And he was even better than the stats indicate.
… The Dawgs outflanked the Wolverines early with quick-game passing that neutralized Michigan’s pass-rush tandem of Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo. The ferocious bookend edge players had combined for 25 sacks this year, but they recorded zero Friday.
Several of those plays were called runs that Bennett checked out of, based on the Wolverines’ defensive alignment. “Stetson had to make a lot of decisions people aren’t aware of,” coach Kirby Smart said. “And he made good decisions.”
It was a numbers game at the line of scrimmage. When the box was too crowded, Bennett opted to take the ball outside it. “A bunch of those throws were run plays,” Bennett said, “and so I’d spin it out there on the edge.”
Yeah, there was a throw or two for which I’m sure he wishes he could have a mulligan, and one very questionable third and long decision that made me wince, but nobody plays a perfect game and in the absence of perfection, I’ll certainly take what he gave his team last night.
Get The Picture 
Stetson Bennett has become one of my all – time favorite Dawgs.
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He certainly takes no shit as evidenced by going right back at Kirby at the half.
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Going back at CKS isn’t a side to be on, clock management on SBIV’s part was the main point of contention, CKS wanted to add 3 more to the score board, since meeeshigun gave a gift…
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They couldn’t get the plays in. That isn’t on Stetson.
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I agree 100%. Plus they could’ve told Stetson to clock it or burned the last timeout. Kirby opted not to do either.
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He did play well, I’ll give him that. I was worried given Michigan’s ranking and his past performance against good teams like Bama or even defenses with some talent finally playing with an edge like Floriduh this season.
He had himself a night.
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Come on, Corch.
Can’t you give the kid credit without your thinly veiled caveats?
Had JT played and had the same exact game..play for play..you would be singing his praises and saying “See! I told you he’s the best”.
Be honest, Corch..is this not true?
Wish you could examine and weigh your attitude and adjust your faint praise of the kid to the appropriate level.
Not wanting an argument, just hoping you will see the light.
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As someone that has been critical of Stetson, I still cheer for him to prove me wrong. I love the story, Georgia native who fought his way to being a starter. He has confidence. It won’t top me for calling for a change when I think he has shown his ceiling in a game. JT may or may not be better. You may call this a backhanded compliment but good for him on the great night.
If JT had the same game I would still be quiet on his praises, the DL the chased Stetson was of the same talent level of their OL which the UGA D abused. If Michigan or Ohio St played an SEC schedule, I believe they would be bowling in Florida today. Bama is the benchmark. Hopefully the SECCG was a bad game plan and/or over confidence which will be corrected.
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If you can find where I had a single, actual caveat in that short statement there (and not something you imagined) I will apologize.
That’s pretty effusive praise from me. Do you want me to open up my veins and prostrate before him, you, PTC Dawg, and the other guy because he had a great game against Michigan?
Can’t win for losing. 🤦🏻♂️
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Gee, Corch, thanks a lot. I’m sure SBIV was waiting to hear your compliment. He has had himself quite a season. It’s just that he hasn’t made your A list and I know that hurts his pride. Really tho’, your continued ass holian remarks on him just serve to burn my ass since I know you’d not be able to carry his jock strap if you were in the same arena.
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He had a good night. Still think JTD is the better QB; but the staff loves him and you have to respect that. The question is – after losing to Bama twice by 17, with Stetson having key turn overs in each – can Georgia beat Bama with Stetson Bennett…
God, I hope so. Have put down some serious money for me and my two sons to spend the weekend in Indy… That’s a long drive back, with another loss to Alabama.
Let’s hope that lots of Demons can be exercised… By the way, it’s not terrible while we are there – but the weather is still a ‘might’ colder than ‘we’ are use too… Really wish this damn thing was somewhere warm..
But will admit, I love the fact that two SEC teams are playing for the Natty in Big 10 country…
LOL
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Same old tired “I know more than the coaches” horseshit.
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FWIW, i watch A LOT of Georgia games with non Georgia fans and every single time i get asked “why do y’all give this kid (stetson) so much shit ?! He looks good to me. Plus he can run.”
Every.Single.Time.
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Stetson has earned all of our support and belief. He played like a champ. We need Bowers back and healthy. Can’t stress that enough.
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Kirby said Bowers wanted to go back. He hasn’t missed any practice time. Unless something has come out today while I was at the range, Bowers is a full go for Indy.
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He was magnificent. His best game in a UGA uniform, IMO.
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Based on competition level, I don’t think there is any argument to be had.
Honestly, it’s gotta stack up as an all-time UGA postseason performance.
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Defense! GATA! Disrupt Young at all costs.
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Last night was the mailman at his best. Been saying if he plays within himself and prepares the way he did last night we CAN beat Bama. That and the real UGA defense. Also his escape ability is impressive.
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SBIV has a little “shimmy and shake” going on…
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Something not really being pointed out is the way he stood his ground and made throws when he was a millisecond from getting clobbered. He a tough one.
Also, several times a pass rusher came free and he quickly and magically escaped to save a sack, even turning the play into gains and first downs.
Don’t think we have another QB that can do that AND everything else he did in this game.
He did have the one un-savory fling…but no harm was done and it was his one and only glaring error of the game (that I can remember)
He also had a few dropped balls that would have improved his numbers (but you almost always have those with any QB).
(I really, really wanted to see big 0 hang on to that throw over the middle…I wanted to see how many Michigan D backs it would take to bring him down).
SB..Most valuable O player of the game.
Whatever happens against Bama…SB’s a legend and a hell of a good football player and obviously a well rounded and much loved young man.
Did y’all hear his team mates chanting his name after the game?
What’s that kind of love and respect worth?
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You called the right play OUD…all the awards he’s gotten and all the colunists praise won’t take the place of his teammates respect and admiration. Leadership…one of the intangibles that great QBs…and leaders in general.,,have. He’s field general in every way…cool, thinking, and competent.,,yes, occasional errors,,some that bite us in the ass.,,but, then, even Patton made mistakes.,
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Young while having a good game, did not look like the Heisman Trophy winner. Cincy put some heat on him and when he has to run for his life and get rid of it quick, he loses his Superman cape as well. Same with Auburn. If we put him under duress, then UGA can win the game. If we let him stand back there, eat a sandwich, take a few calls, check his NIL deals, and then have to look for a receiver, it is going to be another LONG night.
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^^^^THIS. Whomever thought a contain strategy was the way to go in the SECCG should…IDK…go coach at Oregon or something.
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Why would Bennett have a chip on his shoulder? He doesn’t care or listen to any of us right?
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Just you it turns out.
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Hahahaha. Good one Derek.
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Noticed from the outset the quick passes that he threw when pressure was coming. Love what Monken designed and he executed.
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Serious question. Did Ojabo play? I literally never heard his name. I think I saw him abused on one play and the announcers just referred to “the defender” that lost contain.
Was he hurt or did we just make him more of a non-factor than Hutchinson?
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He posted a goose egg last night.
Zero tackles. Zero pressures. Zero sacks.
If I’m an NFL team, I avoid that guy like a plague, because it seems like all his success is directly due to Hutchinson being doubled and teams game-planning for him, not Ojabu.
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I can’t get over this guy was the Hesiman runner up. Wow. Who votes for this thing?
He wouldn’t even start for UGA.
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We got to play the game on our terms as we did for the first 12 games. Stet performs well under those conditions. He had a great day, but it remains to be seen whether he can perform under what is likely to be more adverse conditions on Jan. 10.
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