January 12, 2023

By Dr. Valerie Wardlaw

Contributing Writer

 

The No. 1 University of Georgia Bulldogs, reigning national champions, sent the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs to the woodshed on Monday, Jan. 9, spectacularly beating them 65-7.

The Dawgs made history as they became the first team to win back-to-back national titles, a feat few teams have accomplished. Alabama was the last team to win back-to-back national championships in 2011 and 2012. This Georgia rout occurred in front of 72,628 college football fans at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.

The Dawgs – Horned Frogs matchup was never a contest. Georgia came into the game ranked No. 1 in CFP standings, with the Horned Frogs ranked No. 3. Georgia fired on all cylinders, scoring early and often throughout the game. From the opening drive, the Dawgs were intent on dominating the Horned Frogs.

In the first quarter, Dawg quarterback Stetson Bennett kept the ball and found the endzone on a 21-yard rushing touchdown. With 11:01 remaining in the first quarter, Georgia put points on the board and led 7-0. TCU would fumble from the 33-yard line resulting in a 24-yard Georgia field goal, six plays, and 27 yards, the Dawgs up by 10.

With 4:45 remaining in the first quarter, Horned Frogs quarterback Max Duggan scored a two-yard rushing touchdown with a good extra point as the Dawgs continued to lead 10-7.

Georgia began to score at will, with quarterback Stetson Bennett finding Ladd McConkey for a 37-yard touchdown pass; Bennett marched 92 yards for his second rushing touchdown for six yards. The Horned Frogs saw their glimmer of hope dashed before the half when Bulldog Javon Bullard intercepted a TCU pass.

Georgia’s Kendall Milton punched it in for a Dawgs one-yard touchdown run, and Bennett found Adonai Mitchell for a 22-yard touchdown pass putting them up 38-7 at the half.

 

The Dawgs racked up 354 yards of offense and averaged nine yards per play in the first half.

The onslaught continued in the second half, with Bennett finding Brock Bowers for a 22-yard reception and Ladd McConkey for his second touchdown, a 14-yard reception.

And the final nail in TCU’s coffin came when Branson Robinson went in for the final score, Georgia - 65, TCU - 7.

Bennett finished 18-of-25 with 304 yards passing. He left the game with 13:25 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart told ESPN, “We wanted our kids to play without fear.” 

Smart said he told his players that “much of the year they were the hunted, but in this game, they would be the hunters. They had only one last chance to do so, and we hunted tonight,” he said.

Under Georgia head coach Kirby Smart, the Dawgs have played in five SEC championship games, won two SEC titles, and now two national titles.

The 58-point margin is the largest since the 1998 college football championship game, and Georgia’s 65 points are the most scored in a championship game.

Category: Sports