Stetson Bennett, Georgia dismantles TCU to repeat as national champion – Orange County Register

INGLEWOOD — As TCU quarterback Max Duggan strode into the end zone, there was a glimmer of hope for the thousands of purple-clad fans at SoFi Stadium. The Horned Frogs had cut Georgia’s lead to three points in the first quarter and appeared to have a chance against the defending champions in the College Football Playoffs title game.

But like a dog — or bulldog — tired of playing with its food, Georgia’s next trip put an end to that silly optimism. In four games, UGA threw for a first down, ran for a first down, threw for a first down, and then quarterback Stetson Bennett IV found the tight end of Ladd McConkey with no one around him for a 37-yard touchdown pass.

Georgia would not allow its crown to be contested. And if last year was the crowning glory, consider Monday’s 65-7 win over TCU as confirmation of college football’s first champion since Alabama in 2011-12.

The entire game was a testament to the giant that Georgia built. The Bulldogs set a CFP title game record with 17 points in the first quarter and then did it again with 38 points in the first half.

Georgia scored one goal in his first six drives. It outperformed TCU 589-188. After a 22-yard bouncing touchdown catch in the third quarter, tight end Brock Bowers had more receiving yards (152) than TCU in total offense (126). Georgia had five sacks compared to TCU’s none.

Georgia’s 65 points broke the 2004 USC record for most points scored in a national championship game, and the Bulldogs’ 58-point winning margin made it the most lopsided national title game in college football history.

And it all started with Bennett.

Though the former walk-on might have finished fourth in last month’s Heisman Trophy picks, he cemented his place in college football history on Monday. In the first half alone, his 262 total yards and four touchdowns surpassed his totals from all four quarters of last year’s national championship win over Alabama.