Stetson Bennett threw two touchdown passes and No. 1 Georgia completed back-to-back undefeated regular seasons for the first time in school history, overcoming a slow start to win 37-14 at Georgia Tech on Saturday.
Georgia (12-0, No. 1 CFP) fell behind 7-0 early to lead Tech only 10-7 at halftime. The Bulldogs then defeated the Yellow Jackets (5-7) by scoring 37 unanswered points for their fifth straight state championship win.
Kenny McIntosh and Kendall Milton ran for touchdowns. Georgia outgained Georgia Tech 264-40.
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Georgia State quarterback Stetson Bennett (13) makes a pass during the first half of an NCAA football game against Georgia Tech, Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in Athens, Georgia.
(AP Photo/John Bazemore)
The defending national champions, the Bulldogs, are in a good position to retain their No. 1 ranking College football playoffs ranking entering the Southeastern Conference championship game against No. 6 LSU next week.
Mistakes in the third quarter hurt the Yellow Jackets’ chance to spoil the Bulldogs’ history-making day. After a low punt at the Georgia Tech 17, punter David Shanahan was tackled. That led to Bennett’s second scoring pass, a one-yarder to tight end Brock Bowers on the fourth play.
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Georgia Tech freshman running back Jamie Felix was recovered by Georgia Tech’s Robert Beal on the Yellow Jackets’ next play. The turnover led to a 36-yard field goal by Jack Podlesny to give the Bulldogs a 23-7 lead.
Georgia State tight end Brock Bowers (19) tackles Georgia Tech quarterback Zamara Walton (7) as he runs for a catch during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in Athens, Georgia. for the punishment of masking the face.
(AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Georgia broke away in the fourth quarter. Bennett’s 83-yard pass to McIntosh — the Bulldogs’ longest pass of the season — gave McIntosh two yards. Milton added a 44-yard scoring run.
The Yellow Jackets ended a 37-point run by the Bulldogs after running back Dontay Smith’s 24-yard scoring pass to Malachi Carter with less than three minutes left.
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Georgia Tech became the first team to score in the first quarter against Georgia this season. Zach Gibson completes a 34-yard pass to Nate McCollum on a 4th-and-9 play from the Georgia 7.
Backup quarterback Tysun Phommachan scampered seven yards for a touchdown.
Georgia Tech running back Dontay Smith (4) is stopped by Georgia quarterback Jamon Dumas-Johnson (10) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in Athens, Georgia.
(AP Photo/John Bazemore)
The Bulldogs took a 10-7 lead into the second quarter on Bennett’s five-yard scoring pass to Marcus Rosemee-Jacksaint. It was Georgia’s only drive that included a 45-yard run by McIntosh.
Georgia Tech finished 4-4 under interim coach Brent Key and fell short of its bid to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2018.
FOR TAKE AWAY
Georgia Tech: The Yellow Jackets again showed the progress they’ve made under Key. A year ago, the team’s third straight three-win season ended with a 45-0 loss to Georgia.
After beating two top-25 teams — Pittsburgh and North Carolina — on the road in Key, Georgia Tech was competitive for at least one half against the Bulldogs. Gibson, the Yellow Jackets’ third starting quarterback, showed good poise against the nation’s most combative defense.
Georgia: The Bulldogs avoided the upsets this season, and when they were tied early in the game, they showed resilience. Bennett avoided mistakes and McIntosh showed his versatility with a team-leading 86 rushing yards and 96 receiving yards on two catches. Bennett completed 10 of 18 passes for 140 yards and two touchdowns and had five carries for 21 yards.
CONSEQUENCES OF THE SURVEY
Georgia should defend its No. 1 ranking in the AP Top 25 and College Football Playoff rankings.
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FURTHER
Georgia Tech: Opens the 2023 season against Louisville on Sept. 2 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Georgia: Plays in the SEC Championship Game for the fifth time in six years when it takes on No. 6 LSU next Saturday in Atlanta.
