Double Hardware Hunting!!
Our National Championship Game Issue
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BULLDOGS<br />
GEORGIA<br />
GEORGIA BULLDOGS 2022 SCHEDULE<br />
TEAM DATE LOCATION<br />
TIME/<br />
RESULTS<br />
OREGON Sept. 3 Atlanta, GA W 49-3<br />
SAMFORD Sept. 10 Athens, GA W 33-0<br />
SOUTH CAROLINA Sept. 17 Columbia, SC W 48-7<br />
KENT STATE Sept. 24 Athens, GA W 39-22<br />
MISSOURI Oct. 1 Columbia, MO W 26-22<br />
AUBURN Oct. 8 Athens, GA W 42-10<br />
VANDERBILT Oct. 15 Athens, GA W 55-0<br />
OFF Oct. 22<br />
FLORIDA Oct. 29 Jacksonville, FL W 42-20<br />
TENNESSEE Nov. 5 Athens, GA W 27-13<br />
MISSISSIPPI STATE Nov. 12 Starkville, MS W 45-19<br />
KENTUCKY Nov. 19 Lexington, KY W 16-6<br />
GEORGIA TECH Nov. 26 Athens, GA W 37-14<br />
SEC CHAMPIONSHIP: LSU Dec. 3 Atlanta, GA W 50-30<br />
PEACH BOWL: OHIO STATE Dec. 31 Atlanta, GA W 42-41<br />
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP Jan. 9 Inglewood, CA 7:30pm<br />
(vs. Texas Christian University)
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GEORGIA VS. TCU<br />
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED<br />
IN THIS ISSUE<br />
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP<br />
PREVIEW<br />
STETSON BENNETT DAZZLED IN<br />
THE STUNNING COME FROM BEHIND<br />
FOURTH QUARTER WIN OVER THE<br />
BUCKEYES!<br />
PHOTO BY: ROB SAYE<br />
BULLDAWG ILLUSTRATED<br />
years<br />
SPORTS<br />
BULLDOGS TO WATCH | 14<br />
HORNED FROGS TO WATCH | 16<br />
FIVE KEYS | 18<br />
DAWG BONES | 20<br />
A VIEW OF THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP | 22<br />
SOCIAL<br />
UGA VS OHIO STATE PEACH BOWL FAN PHOTOS | 27<br />
PROUST: MOHAMED MASSAQUOI | 42<br />
MORE SPORTS<br />
FROM THE FIELD | 44<br />
BUTLER’S PLAYERS | 45<br />
STATS THAT MATTER | 46<br />
OUR TEAM<br />
EDITOR: Vance Leavy<br />
CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Cheri Leavy<br />
MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR: Greg Poole<br />
CHIEF SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR: Jeff Dantzler<br />
ART DIRECTOR: Stacey Nichols<br />
SALES: Caroline Kinney<br />
SPORTS: Jeff Dantzler, Greg Poole, Coby Serina,<br />
Clay Watkins<br />
MULTIMEDIA: Hamilton Culpepper,<br />
Caroline Schlabach<br />
PHOTOGRAPHY: Greg Poole, Rob Saye,<br />
Blane Marable, Carter Horne<br />
COVER PHOTOS: Greg Poole (Hairy Dawg),<br />
Rob Saye (Bennett, Smart, Smith, UGA X),<br />
Carter Horne, Vance Leavy, sofistadium.com<br />
COLUMNISTS: Hamilton Culpepper,<br />
Loran Smith, Caroline Champion<br />
DELIVERY: John Cook, Wright Cook, Rob<br />
Freeman, Anna French, Scarlett French, Flynn<br />
Kelly, Caroline Kinney, John Kinney, Lynn<br />
McLanahan, Eleanor Morgan, Henry Morgan,<br />
James Morgan, Jack Sawyer, Cullen Sewell,<br />
Henry Stokes, Champ Vance<br />
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW :<br />
January 4, 2023<br />
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 6 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW
AWARD WINNING<br />
CONGRATULATIONS<br />
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FROM THE<br />
EDITOR<br />
VANCE LEAVY<br />
EDITOR IN CHIEF<br />
The unbelievable victory over the Buckeyes in Atlanta will never<br />
be forgotten, now collectively everyone in the Bulldog Nation<br />
must come together to go double hardware hunting in LA!<br />
Greetings Bulldogs fans, it is Bulldawg<br />
Illustrated’s distinct honor to bring<br />
you this very special National<br />
Championship Preview EXTRA.<br />
EXTRA, EXTRA … read all about it …<br />
Dawgs pull off miraculous 42-41 victory over<br />
Ohio State to secure their spot in the 2023<br />
National Championship Game.<br />
Yes Bulldog Nation, what transpired in Atlanta this past Saturday really<br />
happened and now our team and fans are heading to Los Angeles to<br />
play the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs.<br />
More about the Natty in a minute, but first there is kudos to dole out<br />
from the CFP-Semi Peach Bowl game.<br />
First and foremost, the most credit goes to the Georgia team as a<br />
whole. Despite struggling at times in all three phases, our men in Red<br />
and Black remained committed to one another. When plays were<br />
paramount down the fourth quarter stretch, our offense, defense and<br />
special teams made them. There was no margin for error and the way<br />
these 2022 Dawgs stepped up was a thing of beauty.<br />
Next up, Coach Smart’s timeout (just in the nick of time) to thwart the<br />
Buckeye fourth quarter fake punt (which would have all but sealed an<br />
Ohio State victory) will forever be legendary in the annals of Georgia<br />
football history. Not surprisingly, our headman wasn’t looking for praise<br />
when speaking to the media post game. Instead, he simply stated Ohio<br />
State showed a fake punt formation, which collectively his staff (in<br />
preparation for such situations) had decided warranted the timeout.<br />
While I admire Coach Smart for his humbleness, it must be stated<br />
that given the immense pressure of the situation, his attention to<br />
every detail proved invaluable to his team getting the ball back and<br />
eventually pulling off the remarkable victory.<br />
The Semi-Final game wasn’t Jack Podlesny’s best showing as he missed<br />
two field goals, but my oh my, think about the outcome had he not been<br />
able to gather his disappointment and missed his final field goal attempt.<br />
Instead, the kick was true pulling his team even closer to the Buckeyes.<br />
Finally, Stetson Bennett struggled in spurts throughout the New<br />
Year’s Eve evening. Then the fourth quarter arrived and No. 13 lit-up<br />
Mercedes Benz Stadium. Epic stuff from our QB, who continues to<br />
remind everyone in the country that more than anything he is a winner.<br />
Final score … Dawgs 42 Buckeyes 41.<br />
However, now Coach Smart, his staff, his team leaders and everyone<br />
else in the organization must turn the page because TCU also had<br />
to fight vigilantly to earn their spot in the National Championship.<br />
Also, the Horned Frogs’ 2022 resume is packed with a slew of kneeknocking<br />
victories. They too know how to win games. And, just like<br />
Georgia before last season, it has been decades (1930s) since a National<br />
Championship was brought back to their campus.<br />
This extra issue of BI will certainly get you ready for the big game.<br />
On page 10, Jeff Dantzler warns us that history of the College Football<br />
Playoff era shows that repeating as national champions is no easy task.<br />
In fact, it hasn’t happened.<br />
Nonetheless,<br />
from the minute<br />
(mid January, 2022)<br />
Stetson Bennett<br />
decided to come<br />
back for another<br />
run, I have believed<br />
this 2022 Georgia<br />
football team had<br />
enough talent,<br />
coupled with an<br />
ideal regular season<br />
schedule to defend<br />
their title. Here is a photo of my proof in my belief and also what graces<br />
this issue’s cover … “<strong>Double</strong> <strong>Hardware</strong> <strong>Hunting</strong>.” In fact, the same saying<br />
is also on the final page of our sister publication (Guide 2 Athens) that<br />
came out in September.<br />
And what better rally call for everyone in the Bulldog Nation than<br />
to have photos on this cover from many of the facets that make our<br />
football program so special. From our coach to our players to our fans<br />
to our mascots, etc. they are all there. The reason is simple. Collectively,<br />
they have all contributed to the success up to this point. And now the<br />
time has come for everyone who loves Georgia to come together and<br />
go double hardware hunting on Monday night in LA.<br />
Please enjoy this issue, which also includes fan photos from the Peach<br />
Bowl (pages 27-40) and catching up with former Dawg, Mohamed<br />
Massaquoi (Proust Q&A, page 42). The stage is set Bulldog Nation. The<br />
moment doesn’t get any bigger. Let’s hunker down and secure back-toback<br />
national championships. See you in LA … Go Dawgs!!<br />
THE PERFECT 2023 DELICACY …<br />
HORNED FROGS AND OUR WORLD<br />
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History isn’t on Georgia’s side for their quest to win<br />
back to back national championships, so their hunter<br />
mindset is a must, one more time, against the Horned Frogs<br />
JEFF DANTZLER<br />
@jeffdantzlerTV<br />
In the College Football Playoff era,<br />
which began in 2014, there is no doubt<br />
that December 31, 2022 will go down<br />
as THE DAY, with two instant classics to<br />
set the stage for Monday Night’s showdown<br />
for the National Championship between the<br />
University of Georgia Bulldogs and Texas<br />
Christian University Horned Frogs.<br />
TCU, under the watch of first year coach<br />
Sonny Dykes, built a big early lead and held<br />
off Michigan 51-45 to win the Fiesta Bowl in<br />
the first CFP semifinal. Then Georgia, five feet<br />
and 11 and a half inches under, fought and<br />
dug back, then had some magic at the stroke<br />
of midnight to edge Ohio State by inches<br />
42-41.<br />
Hands down, Georgia’s 54-48 double<br />
overtime victory over Oklahoma in the<br />
Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day 2018 was the<br />
greatest semifinal game. That one now has<br />
company. And what a matchup we have.<br />
A year ago, TCU went 5-7 and parted ways<br />
with legendary coach Gary Patterson, who<br />
took the Horned Frogs from a Southwest<br />
Conference exiled league hopper to a Big<br />
XII power and frequent visitor to the top<br />
10. Dykes, led by Heisman Trophy finalist<br />
quarterback Max Duggan, did some fine<br />
tuning and these Horned Frogs have gone to<br />
work and put together a remarkable season.<br />
Last year, Georgia won the national<br />
championship, the program’s first in 41 years.<br />
In many ways, these Horned Frogs are like<br />
the Bulldogs of 1980, who won six times by<br />
seven or fewer points en route to a perfect<br />
12-0 national championship season. The<br />
Bulldogs were 6-5 the year prior, as an extra<br />
nugget.<br />
En route to posting a 13-1 mark and earning<br />
a berth in the National Championship Game,<br />
the Horned Frogs have won six times by<br />
eight or fewer points. Along the way, the<br />
Frogs have put together an impressive hit<br />
list - including Oklahoma, Texas and then<br />
Michigan in the Fiesta Bowl. For longtime<br />
TCU fans who went through some dark<br />
times, those wins over a trio of college<br />
football blue bloods resonate with great<br />
pride.<br />
Kirby Smart has Georgia in the National<br />
Championship Game, again. Under his<br />
watch, the Bulldogs are 4-1 in the CFP with<br />
an epic quartet of triumphs over Oklahoma,<br />
Michigan, Alabama and Ohio State. Elite.<br />
The victory over the Buckeyes is Georgia’s<br />
most improbable comeback triumph in a<br />
game of great magnitude ever. Even more<br />
so than Fran Tarkenton to Bill Herron in the<br />
14-13 win over Auburn in 1959, Buck Belue to<br />
Lindsay Scott on Georgia’s greatest ever play<br />
to top Florida in 1980, and David Greene to<br />
Michael Johnson on the Plains in 2002.<br />
Georgia was dead and gone. But found a<br />
way.<br />
A dozen of the Bulldogs 14 victories have<br />
come by 10 or more points. A knee-knocking<br />
26-22 comeback at Missouri is the other<br />
triumph decided by single digits. Georgia<br />
has now won 32 times in its past 33 games.<br />
There are two 16 game winning streaks<br />
bookending the 2021 SEC Championship<br />
Game loss to Alabama. The school record for<br />
consecutive victories is 17, set between 1945<br />
and 1947.<br />
At 14-0, the reigning national champion<br />
Bulldogs seek a repeat.<br />
History is on TCU’s side here.<br />
The last team to win back to back national<br />
titles was Alabama in 2011 and (ouuuuch)<br />
2012. It has not happened in the playoff<br />
era, though there have been plenty of<br />
opportunities.<br />
Georgia is the sixth team since 2014 to win<br />
the national championship and return to the<br />
playoffs. The Bulldogs are the fifth of those<br />
six to advance to the National Championship<br />
Game. None have won to repeat.<br />
Alabama won it all in 2015, then lost to<br />
Clemson in the 2016 title game. Those Tigers<br />
then fell to the Crimson Tide in the Sugar<br />
Bowl in the semifinal in 2017. No need to<br />
talk about that national title game. Bama<br />
again fell to Clemson for the 2018 crown. The<br />
(orange and blue) Tigers lost to LSU for the<br />
2019 national title. Nick Saban led Alabama<br />
to the national championship in 2020, and<br />
the Tide would, famously in these parts, fall<br />
to Georgia for the 2021 big trophy.<br />
So close, so many times, with an incredible<br />
fan base and support system, there is no way<br />
a national championship has ever meant<br />
more to a school than it did for Georgia in<br />
2021.<br />
In the afterglow of the ecstasy of the<br />
ultimate victory, Smart this summer<br />
promised that the Bulldogs wouldn’t be<br />
hunted. Georgia would continue to be the<br />
hunter.<br />
It was certainly evident in the season<br />
opener back on Labor Day weekend that<br />
these Bulldogs of 2022 were out to make<br />
their own history.<br />
In the early ‘80s, Georgia came painfully<br />
close to another national championship, but,<br />
ranked second, fell to Pitt and Dan Marino<br />
on New Year’s Day 1982, and at 11-0 and No.<br />
1 in the land, lost to Penn State and Todd<br />
Blacklege on 1/1/83.<br />
Lots of tears and scars there.<br />
When the field goal went wide on New<br />
Year’s Eve, it felt a bit like maybe this time, in<br />
this golden era, Marino didn’t hit the fourth<br />
down touchdown pass to John Brown.<br />
TCU (maybe the modern version of<br />
Blackledge and Gregg Garrity doesn’t strike)<br />
stands in the way, as the Bulldogs try to do<br />
something that’s never been done before,<br />
further enhancing this most glorious of<br />
Georgia football eras. At 14-0, the reigning<br />
national champions, cue the great Erk Russell,<br />
need to do it “just one more time.”<br />
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FIVE KEYS PG. 18 | DAWG BONES PG. 20 | A VIEW OF THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PG. 22<br />
SPORTS<br />
KENNY MCINTOSH HITS PAY DIRTY<br />
IN THE CFP-SEMI PEACH BOWL<br />
PHOTO BY: ROB SAYE<br />
GEORGIA VS. TEXAS CHRISTIAN<br />
GAME TIME: 7:30 P.M. (EST)<br />
CHANNEL: ESPN<br />
GEORGIA VS TEXAS CHRISTIAN<br />
BY: JEFF DANTZLER<br />
Georgia and Texas Christian battle for the national<br />
championship Monday night in Los Angeles at SoFi Stadium.<br />
Both teams are coming off thrilling victories in the College<br />
Football Playoff semifinals. TCU beat Michigan 51-45 in the<br />
Fiesta Bowl, racing to a 21-3 first half lead and then holding off<br />
the Wolverines to secure arguably the biggest win in program<br />
history.<br />
The Bulldogs defeated Ohio State 42-41 in the Chick-Fil-A CFP-<br />
Semi Peach Bowl. Georgia took the lead in the final minute, then<br />
the Buckeyes missed a field goal in the closing seconds as the<br />
clock struck midnight on New Year’s Eve.<br />
TCU comes in with a record of 13-1 under the direction of<br />
first year head coach Sonny Dykes. The Horned Frogs lone loss<br />
came to Kansas State in the Big XII Championship Game, then<br />
they responded with the impressive victory over the previously<br />
undefeated Big Ten champion Wolverines. Six of TCU’s 13 wins<br />
have come by eight or fewer points.<br />
Georgia is 14-0, Southeastern Conference champions. The<br />
reigning national champions have won 32 of the last 33 games<br />
and are on a 16 game winning streak.<br />
This is the Bulldogs third trip to the College Football Playoff in<br />
the last six years under Kirby Smart’s watch. This is also Georgia’s<br />
third appearance in the National Championship Game. The<br />
Bulldogs lost to Alabama in overtime on January 8, 2018, and<br />
beat the Crimson Tide 33-18 on January 10 this past season.<br />
Monday night’s matchup will be the fourth between Georgia<br />
and the Horned Frogs. The Bulldogs, led by All-American Frank<br />
Sinkwich, who would win the 1942 Heisman Trophy, beat TCU 40-<br />
26 in the Orange Bowl on New Year’s Day 1942 in Georgia’s first<br />
ever postseason game.<br />
En route to the 1980 national championship, Georgia beat<br />
TCU 34-3 for the fourth win of the perfect 12-0 campaign. The<br />
Bulldogs won 38-10 over the Horned Frogs in the second game<br />
of the 1988 season.<br />
Georgia is the sixth reigning national champion to make it to<br />
the playoffs, and fifth to advance to the title game. No team has<br />
repeated as national champion since the College Football Playoff<br />
began in 2014.<br />
Both programs have some recent rich history in the Los Angeles<br />
area. The Horned Frogs capped a perfect 13-0 2010 season with<br />
a 21-19 win over Wisconsin in the 2011 Rose Bowl. Georgia beat<br />
Oklahoma 54-48 in Pasadena in the 2018 Rose Bowl College<br />
Football semifinal.<br />
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 13 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW
SPORTS<br />
FOOTBALL<br />
BULLDOGS TO WATCH<br />
BY: COBY SERINA<br />
STETSON BENNETT (QB #13) - If you didn’t think Stetson Bennett<br />
was the guy before the 2022 Peach Bowl, you gotta know he is now.<br />
Albeit the game last Saturday wasn’t his most consistent performance,<br />
the show he was able to put on in the fourth quarter was simply put:<br />
awesome. It takes a different type of guy to throw 10 for 12 for 190<br />
yards and 2 touchdowns and come back from a 14 point deficit in one<br />
quarter, but Bennett is him. TCU will present a 3-3-5 defense, so that’ll<br />
be a new challenge, but expect him to rise to the occasion.<br />
STETSON BENNETT<br />
QUARTERBACK<br />
PHOTO BY: GREG POOLE<br />
SEDRICK VAN PRAN (OL #63) - Georgia’s offensive line is one<br />
of the only groups in the country to rotate guys in and out on a regular<br />
basis, but one guy that’s always in is center, Sedrick Van Pran. Van<br />
Pran is the second signal caller of the offense. Like Bennett, he’s also<br />
assessing the defense to prepare plays. He’s got a good head on his<br />
shoulders, and you can see it in the way he plays. He’s very aware and<br />
understands how to set up blocks to get where his team needs to be.<br />
KENNY MCINTOSH (RB #6) - People close to the program<br />
have referred to Kenny McIntosh as a “bigger, faster James Cook.” He<br />
definitely plays like it. Against Ohio State, he led the Dawgs in rushes<br />
and was third most in receiving yards. Second to Stetson Bennett,<br />
McIntosh can be considered the face of the offense. He’s a reliable asset<br />
and that won’t change against Sonny Dykes and the Horned Frogs.<br />
JAMON DUMAS-JOHNSON<br />
LINEBACKER<br />
PHOTO BY: GREG POOLE<br />
JAVON BULLARD<br />
DEFENSIVE BACK<br />
JAMON DUMAS-JOHNSON (LB #10) - What makes Jamon<br />
Dumas-Johson so special is his abilities both on and off of the field. As<br />
a true sophomore, Dumas-Johnson has legitimately earned the respect<br />
of everyone on the Georgia defense, and it’s because of his tangible<br />
and intangible skills at the position. He’s constantly making sure<br />
communication is being had between the front and back end of the<br />
defense, and when he’s not doing that he’s putting people in the dirt.<br />
Dumas-Johnson is a certified DAWG!<br />
JAVON BULLARD (DB #22) - Javon Bullard is simply put: a<br />
madman. At the STAR (known by some as the nickel) position Bullard<br />
is doing anything and everything for this defense, matching receivers<br />
one-on-one in coverage or getting his hands dirty in the box. He’s<br />
a swiss army knife out there. In some of the Dawgs’ biggest games,<br />
Tennessee and, more recently, the Peach Bowl.<br />
JACK PODLESNY (PK #96) - Big games are often close games.<br />
If you want to close out a close game, you’ll need a good kicker. Jack<br />
Podlesny didn’t necessarily have his best game in the Benz against the<br />
Buckeyes, but it’s never good to judge using an outlier. To this point,<br />
Podlesny has been one of the best placekickers to ever adorn the red<br />
and black and silver britches, so he’ll be a weapon in what looks to be<br />
an intense matchup against the 13-1 TCU Horned Frogs.<br />
PHOTO BY: GREG POOLE<br />
BY JEFF DANTZLER<br />
Georgia defeated Texas Christian 34-3 on<br />
September 27th, 1980 to improve to 4-0 on<br />
the season en route to a perfect National and<br />
Southeastern Conference Championship season.<br />
The Bulldogs and TCU met on September 10, 1988<br />
Between the Hedges, with Tim Worley leading the<br />
way to a 38-10 victory which improved Georgia to<br />
2-0 on the campaign.<br />
In Georgia’s first ever postseason game, All-<br />
American “Fireball” Frank Sinkwich had a<br />
spectacular performance in a 40-26 Bulldogs<br />
Orange Bowl victory over TCU 1/1/1942.<br />
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 14 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW
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SONNY DYKES (HC) - TCU certainly made the hire of the season<br />
with Sonny Dykes. After the controversial decision to leave SMU for rival<br />
TCU, Dykes has transformed TCU’s program to a national championship<br />
caliber team. Dykes is an offensive minded coach and his system has<br />
allowed players like Max Duggan, Quentin Johnston, and Kendre<br />
Miller to have career years and significantly boost their NFL draft<br />
stock. The coaching battle between Dykes and Smart will be critical in<br />
determining who brings home the National Championship trophy.<br />
SONNY DYKES<br />
HEAD COACH<br />
PHOTO BY: GOFROGS.COM<br />
MAX DUGGAN<br />
QUARTERBACK<br />
PHOTO BY: GOFROGS.COM<br />
MAX DUGGAN (QB #15) - The Heisman trophy finalist deserves all<br />
the credit in the world for leading TCU to the national championship<br />
game. Duggan came into the 2022 season as the backup, but he<br />
took over the starting job in the second game of the season and<br />
never looked back. The TCU gunslinger has thrown for 3,546 yards, 32<br />
touchdowns, and just six interceptions. Duggan has a big frame and<br />
is a physical runner as well. On the ground, he has carried the ball 127<br />
times for 461 yards and eight touchdowns. Stopping TCU’s electric<br />
offense begins with limiting Duggan’s playmaking ability.<br />
KENDRE MILLER (RB #33) - Miller is a bigger back weighing<br />
220 pounds. Despite his size, the running back possesses exceptional<br />
burst and has great lateral movement. Miller has racked up 1,399<br />
yards on the season and 17 touchdowns. TCU has leaned on the<br />
rushing combination of Duggan and Miller all year, especially in the<br />
red zone. Unfortunately, he left the CFP-Semi with a knee injury, so is<br />
questionable for the National Championship game.<br />
QUENTIN JOHNSTON (WR #1) - Johnston might be the<br />
best receiver in the country. The TCU pass catcher is every bit of 6-4<br />
and is the projected first receiver off the board come the NFL draft.<br />
Johnston has reeled in 59 catches for 1,066 yards and six touchdowns.<br />
Johnston’s best performance of the year came when it mattered most<br />
against Michigan where he had 163 receiving yards and a touchdown.<br />
Johnston is excellent in contested catch scenarios, is a smooth route<br />
runner, and is remarkably fast. The Dawgs’ secondary will have their<br />
hands full with TCU’s No. 1 receiver.<br />
JOHNNY HODGES (LB #57) - Hodges is TCU’s leading tackler<br />
on the season with 81 total tackles. The Navy transfer was named Big<br />
12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year this season and has had multiple<br />
dominant defensive performances, most notably against Texas, where<br />
he had 11 tackles. Hodges helped hold Texas’ offense to just three<br />
points. Despite TCU allowing 45 points to Michigan, Hodges flies<br />
around the field and will be a matchup to watch in coverage against<br />
Georgia’s tight ends.<br />
BUD CLARK (S #26) - Clark is a sophomore safety in TCU’s famed<br />
3-3-5 defense. He is the definition of a ball hawk as the talented<br />
defensive back has a team high five interceptions this season. One of<br />
those interceptions was a beautiful pick-six against Michigan. Stetson<br />
Bennett will need to be aware of Clark’s positioning as the Horned<br />
Frog’s safety will be looking to cash in on any errant passes.<br />
BUD CLARK<br />
SAFETY<br />
PHOTO BY: GOFROGS.COM<br />
JOSH NEWTON (CB #24) - Newton is another defensive back<br />
that will be worth watching in LA. This year, the junior has three<br />
interceptions to his name and has tallied 12 passes defended (forced<br />
incompletions). Newton is extremely impressive in coverage and will<br />
test Georgia’s talented receivers and tight ends.<br />
BY JEFF DANTZLER<br />
Led by Head Coach Gary Patterson and quarterback<br />
Andy Dalton, the Horned Frogs of 2010 posted a 13-0<br />
record, won the Mountain West and topped Wisconsin<br />
21-19 in the Rose Bowl.<br />
The TCU baseball program enjoyed a tremendous<br />
decade of success in the 2010s, advancing to Omaha<br />
and the College World Series five times - 2010, 2014,<br />
2015, 2016 and 2017.<br />
One of the greatest players in Horned Frogs history<br />
is legendary San Diego Chargers Pro Football Hall of<br />
Fame running back LaDainian Tomlinson, a three-time<br />
first team NFL All-Pro.<br />
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 16 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW
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BY JEFF DANTZLER<br />
FIVE KEYS<br />
FOR A DAWGS VICTORY<br />
1<br />
DOG DUGGAN - One of the country’s top quarterbacks, Heisman finalist and First Team<br />
All Big XII standout Max Duggan is a dual threat dynamo. His statistics, talent, moxie and<br />
will to win are off the charts. There are a lot of similarities to Georgia’s Stetson Bennett<br />
for this lifelong Horned Frogs fan. When the chips have been down, Duggan has been at his<br />
best, including the comeback win over Baylor and last weekend against Michigan when he<br />
accounted for four touchdowns in the CFP-Semi Fiesta Bowl victory. Duggan can do it all.<br />
Georgia must get pressure and make him uncomfortable. He’s got weapons all around him,<br />
and a big, physical offensive line. This is a total package offense with a tremendous trigger<br />
man. Can Georgia get TCU behind the chains? That’s essential.<br />
2<br />
TURNOVERS - This one is obvious. Every game. Turnovers make the difference, especially<br />
in a game that figures to be so tight and tough. Georgia had one against Ohio State and the<br />
Buckeyes made the Bulldogs pay. Turnovers were a huge part of TCU’s win over Michigan.<br />
Bud Clark’s 41 yard interception return for a touchdown put the Horned Frogs on top 7-0 against<br />
the Wolverines. A MIchigan fumble inside the one with TCU leading 14-3 was a dagger. Georgia<br />
needs at least a push in the turnover column. Win it, and the Dogs chances look really good.<br />
SPECIAL TEAMS - This has been a strength for Georgia all season. There were some<br />
hiccups against Ohio State that the Bulldogs have to clean up. Special Teams and turnovers,<br />
3as we all know, are the quickest route to an upset. Griffin Kell is an excellent kicker, highlighted<br />
by the game-winner against Baylor. Jack Podlesny and Brett Thorson have been lights out kicking all<br />
year for Georgia, and they’ll need to be at their best. Watch the fake!<br />
GUYS BE GUYS - In the biggest games, your best players have to be at their very<br />
best. That definitely was the case for both the Bulldogs and Horned Frogs in their<br />
4semifinal victories, including the two Heisman Trophy finalist quarterbacks. In all three<br />
phases, the top Dogs must shine and deliver. That starts in the trenches. Win that line of<br />
scrimmage with ‘the big uglies,’ dictate with the run and slow the Horned Frogs rushing attack.<br />
When that ball is in the air, make the plays.<br />
SEIZE IT - This is a golden opportunity for both of these programs. Georgia ended<br />
the national championship drought a year ago and now have the opportunity to make<br />
5history and go back-to-back. As longtime Bulldog fans know, going back to the early 1980s<br />
following the 1980 national championship, you never know when you’ll get another opportunity.<br />
These Bulldogs of 2022 have shown since the season opening win over Oregon, that they are out<br />
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DAWG BONES OFFENSE: GEORGIA<br />
Through 14 games, Georgia is ranked 8th in total offense, averaging 495<br />
yards per game. TCU ranks an impressive 13th averaging over 474 yards<br />
a contest. TCU actually ranks a few spots ahead of Georgia in passing<br />
efficiency. Both teams are equally balanced in rushing and passing and<br />
both average over 200 yards a game on the ground. Georgia’s depth,<br />
however, gives them the advantage here. The Bulldogs, especially at<br />
receiver and running back, have the luxury to rotate in many players,<br />
keeping others fresh. TCU, despite their talent, doesn’t share this<br />
advantage.<br />
DAWG BONES DEFENSE: GEORGIA<br />
After giving up big plays through the air to both LSU and Ohio State,<br />
Georgia’s vaunted defense slipped to 11th in yards allowed, currently<br />
conceding an average of about 305 yards per game. In comparison, TCU<br />
ranks 80th allowing nearly 400 yards per contest. Georgia’s defense is<br />
elite, ranking second in 3rd down defense and fifth in points allowed<br />
(14.79) per game. TCU does have the defensive edge in turnover margin<br />
and ranks in the top 20 in that category. TCU will need to produce some<br />
turnovers, as they did against Michigan, to pull off the upset. After<br />
giving up a combined total of 71 points and over 1000 yards in the last<br />
two games, expect Georgia’s defense to rebound with a strong showing<br />
against a talented TCU offense.<br />
DAWG BONES SPECIAL TEAMS: EVEN<br />
The Dawgs’ kicking game has been consistently excellent all season.<br />
However, Jack Podlesny did miss a couple of long field goal attempts<br />
against Ohio State. TCU’s field goal kicker, Griffin Kell, is a good one<br />
and has converted 17/19 attempts on the season, including a long of<br />
54 yards. TCU’s punter, Jordy Sandy, averages about 40 yards a kick,<br />
while Brett Thorson is averaging nearly 45 yards a boot for Georgia.<br />
TCU’s electric punt returner, Derius Davis, has returned two punts for<br />
touchdowns this season. Meanwhile, Kearis Jackson has taken over<br />
Georgia’s punt return duties from the hobbled Ladd McConkey. Jackson<br />
is more than capable of making a big play in the return game.<br />
DAWG BONES COACHING: GEORGIA<br />
This year, Kirby Smart has led Georgia to a No. 1 ranking, an SEC crown,<br />
and their third National Championship game appearance in the last five<br />
years. Smart is undoubtedly one of the top coaches in the country and<br />
never fails to have Georgia prepared for its biggest games. TCU’s coach,<br />
Sonny Dykes, is one of the most respected coaches in the game. Dykes<br />
was Mike Leach’s offensive coordinator at Texas Tech and served as head<br />
coach at Louisiana Tech, California and SMU before becoming TCU’s<br />
coach in November 2021. Dykes swept the major national Coach of the<br />
Year awards in his first season at the program’s helm. Smart is still the<br />
current gold standard for coaches and gets the edge here.<br />
DAWG BONES OVERALL: GEORGIA<br />
Georgia is a 13.5-point favorite over TCU in one of the more lopsided<br />
National Championship game betting lines in recent memory. However,<br />
TCU welcomes the underdog role and showed Michigan that they have<br />
plenty of toughness and polish to compete with anyone. This game may<br />
be closer than some think, but the Dawgs have the advantage of playing<br />
in this game just one year ago. There’s no question the Bulldogs have the<br />
better roster, and the Dawgs’ CFP National Championship experience<br />
should give them the advantage.<br />
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 20 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW
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BY JEFF DANTZLER<br />
A VIEW OF THE 2023 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP<br />
Tony Barnhart is one of the most accomplished, celebrated and beloved college football writers and<br />
voices of all time. It’s always an honor when my old friend, one of the Grand Pubas of College Football,<br />
takes the time to lend us his insight.<br />
THIS TCU SEASON RANKS AS ONE<br />
OF THE ALL-TIME STORYBOOK<br />
CAMPAIGNS, HOW DO YOU PUT IT IN<br />
PERSPECTIVE?<br />
TCU has two national championships in 1935<br />
and 1938. You could say they are due. When<br />
I think of TCU football my mind immediately<br />
goes to Dan Jenkins, the Hall of Fame sports<br />
writer who truly loved his Horned Frogs. All<br />
of us in the media knew that if you wanted<br />
to get the inside skinny on TCU, call Dan. My<br />
hope is that with this game another generation<br />
will be exposed to his writing. TCU has had a<br />
number of good coaches over the years but<br />
Gary Patterson, for my money, has had the<br />
greatest impact on the TCU program. He led<br />
the transition from the Mountain West to the<br />
Big 12 and that was a very big deal. In short, he<br />
set the stage for what Sonny Dykes has done.<br />
Remember that Patterson got TCU into the Rose<br />
Bowl.<br />
WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT<br />
THE HORNED FROGS?<br />
This TCU team is one of the most resilient teams<br />
I’ve ever seen. They are convinced that no matter<br />
how big the deficit the Horned Frogs will find a<br />
way to win. In that respect TCU is very much like<br />
Georgia. Coach Steve Spurrier, who once told me<br />
that the key to consistent success is to convince<br />
your players to keep playing, no matter what. It<br />
sounds simple but it’s not. TCU keeps playing.<br />
WHERE DO THE TWO SEMIFINAL<br />
GAMES IN ATLANTA AND TEMPE<br />
RANK FOR YOU? 1/2/84 IS ALWAYS<br />
AT THE TOP OF THE LIST, BUT IN THE<br />
PLAYOFF ERA, THAT HAD TO BE THE<br />
BEST DAY.<br />
It’s not even close. People have complained<br />
loudly about the competitiveness of the<br />
national semifinals. And until Saturday, the<br />
best semifinal was Georgia-Oklahoma in the<br />
2017 season. In my mind, it was the single best<br />
day of college football in the playoff era. And<br />
when we go to a 12-team playoff in 2024 we<br />
will have more of these games, not fewer. Trust<br />
me on that.<br />
HOW ABOUT THE STORY OF THESE<br />
TWO QUARTERBACKS.<br />
Two great players and two great stories.<br />
Everybody knows the story of Stetson<br />
Bennett IV and he now has a chance to go<br />
down as the greatest quarterback in the<br />
history of Georgia. Max Duggan of TCU is<br />
like Bennett. He is great when greatness is<br />
required. They are the X-factor in this game.<br />
And, quite honestly, they will be judged<br />
in this game on how well they protect the<br />
football. If either team is minus-2 in turnovers,<br />
that team is going to lose. I have no idea if<br />
these two guys will play in the NFL. But I do<br />
know this. They are two of the best COLLEGE<br />
quarterbacks I have ever seen.<br />
WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON GEORGIA?<br />
Georgia is very much a team where the whole is<br />
greater than the sum of the parts. You don’t lose<br />
five first-round draft choices off the defense and<br />
think you’re going to be as good. But what you<br />
can do is take great talent and maximize what it<br />
can do. Jalen Carter is a unique athlete who can<br />
disrupt an opposing running game and make life<br />
uncomfortable for opposing quarterbacks. Georgia<br />
is very deep in elite running backs and, if Darnell<br />
Washington can go, Georgia will have the best<br />
tight end room in college football. And OC Todd<br />
Monken knows how to use them. Kirby Smart has<br />
really grown as a head coach since Georgia started<br />
this run. Like Nick Saban, Smart now does the little<br />
things that give his team a chance to win. I said it<br />
this summer and I’ll say it on the eve of the national<br />
championship game: Georgia is the most complete<br />
team in college football.<br />
WHAT DO THE BULLDOGS NEED TO<br />
DO TO WIN?<br />
I always think that big games come down to<br />
turnover margin and explosive plays on both<br />
sides of the ball. Keep the turnover margin<br />
to plus one or plus two. Georgia gave up too<br />
many chunk plays against Ohio State. Make Max<br />
Duggan and the TCU offense work for every<br />
point they get.<br />
WHAT IS THE FINAL SCORE?<br />
Georgia 35, TCU 31<br />
Swimming Pools<br />
and Movie Stars<br />
and Georgia Bulldogs<br />
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Go 2022 Dawgs!!<br />
WE ARE THE BEST<br />
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BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 22 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW
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BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 25 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW
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BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 28 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW
Congratulations on a Winning Season<br />
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BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 30 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW
Exceptional teamwork devoted to<br />
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Congratulations Team UGA and Bulldogs everywhere!<br />
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470 Hill St. Athens, GA 30601<br />
706-543-6578<br />
www.carsonadv.com<br />
Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Investment<br />
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BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 32 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW
SOCIAL<br />
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BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 34 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW
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BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 36 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW
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BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 38 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW
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BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 39 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW
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BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 40 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW
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BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 41 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW
PROUST<br />
Q&A<br />
BY: CAROLINE CHAMPION<br />
CHANGE ABOUT YOURSELF: I would love to know how to<br />
play golf. If anyone reading this is willing to give me lessons - I’m<br />
available!<br />
WRITERS: Malcolm Gladwell and anything he writes. The author<br />
of Moneyball, Michael Lewis. I also love the work of Victor Frankl<br />
in Man’s Search for Meaning.<br />
FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA: Not heavy into social media.<br />
MOHAMED MASSAQUOI<br />
NAME: Mohamed Massaquoi<br />
HOMETOWN: Charlotte, North Carolina<br />
CURRENT TOWN: Atlanta, Georgia<br />
WHAT YEARS AT UGA: fall 2005-fall 2008<br />
SCHOOL/DEGREE: Franklin College of Arts & Sciences<br />
undergraduate degree in Psychology, Masters degree in Industrial<br />
Organizational Psychology.<br />
ACCOLADES: UGA 40 under 40, 2022 Arch award, Atlanta<br />
Technical Professionals Impact Award, first team All SEC.<br />
LIFE LESSONS: Anything is possible!<br />
PROFESSOR YOU ADMIRED: Brian Frost in my Masters<br />
program. I loved how he approached learning and his passion for<br />
wanting you to succeed. And Coach Mike Bobo because he got<br />
me to Athens.<br />
GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT: Being a husband and a father.<br />
HISTORICAL FIGURE YOU IDENTIFY WITH: Anyone<br />
who transitions from sports at a high level into successful<br />
businessman and women. Some that come to mind are Magic<br />
Johnson, Adam Grant the Olympic swimmer and Pepsi CFO Indra<br />
Nooyi former NBA basketball player.<br />
HERO’S IN REAL LIFE: My mom who made tons of sacrifices<br />
for me. Without her, none of my successes would have been<br />
possible.<br />
QUOTE TO LIVE BY: “The unknown in an opportunity excites<br />
me more than the future makes me nervous.”<br />
IDEA OF PERFECT HAPPINESS: Being around people you<br />
love with good food and good music.<br />
GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT: Being resilient.<br />
MOST MARKED CHARACTERISTIC: Usually, I am always<br />
smiling and happy about something.<br />
VALUE IN FRIENDS: Authenticity.<br />
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 42 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW
FROM THE FIELD PG. 44 | BUTLER’S PLAYERS PG. 45 | STATS THAT MATTER PG. 46<br />
PHOTOS BY: ROB SAYE<br />
MORE<br />
SPORTS
SPORTS FOOTBALL<br />
FROM THE FIELD<br />
BY GREG POOLE<br />
GEORGIA - 42, OHIO STATE - 41<br />
STETSON SAVED HIS BEST<br />
FOR LAST IN THE ATL!<br />
PHOTO BY: GREG POOLE<br />
Wow, what a game!<br />
Ohio State came South with one goal: to bring the Georgia<br />
Bulldogs down to earth and shove the Buckeyes into the<br />
national championship game. They could not have gotten<br />
any closer. It was a valiant effort, but it was still a loss, and<br />
no amount of rationalizing will change the outcome.<br />
Before looking at Georgia, C.J. Stroud deserves a word or<br />
two. I admit to being slack with film study of Stroud, and<br />
that omission was a serious blunder. Mr. Stroud played a<br />
masterful game against the Dawgs. Off-balance passes,<br />
huge runs when feeling pressure, fantastic accuracy, and<br />
vision. I have heard many compliments about the Buckeye<br />
quarterback’s varied athletic abilities, but one aspect of his<br />
game that should stand out to everyone is his leadership<br />
ability. He stood up in the face of Georgia’s rush and<br />
delivered pass after accurate pass. He sure looks like a<br />
Sunday athlete to me.<br />
C.J. Stroud may have surprised or even shocked many<br />
Dawg fans, but Stetson Bennett was the Peach Bowl’s<br />
winning quarterback, and Stetson played Bennett Ball all<br />
night. Stetson is the anti-Stroud, and Stroud looks like the<br />
top-level athlete he is when he executes passes and runs.<br />
He glides along as he surveys the field for threats and holes.<br />
Stroud’s athleticism and grace did not prevent him from<br />
being the No. 2 quarterback in the Peach Bowl.<br />
With arms and legs akimbo, Stetson Bennett rushed,<br />
passed, and led the Bulldogs to another national<br />
championship game. When his football mojo is working, he<br />
seems more confident and exudes a touch more intensity.<br />
Next, Georgia and TCU will meet in Los Angeles to<br />
determine the CFP National Championship in Stetson<br />
Bennett’s final college game. After the Peach Bowl, Stetson<br />
said postgame as he remembered stepping into the huddle<br />
to call the first play after OSU made a 48-yard field goal,<br />
pushing ahead 41-35 with 2:36 left to play:<br />
“I looked around, and there were just a bunch of<br />
determined strong stares from all the dudes. It gave me<br />
confidence.”<br />
His confidence delivered.<br />
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Join THE MAD DAWG for another year of<br />
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Last year's guests included:<br />
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Tavarres Knight, Amarlo Herera, Lewis Cine<br />
Kevin "Catfish" Jackson, Mark Schlabach and more!<br />
New Episodes each Week!<br />
themaddawg.com<br />
Available On Demand<br />
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 44 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW
FOOTBALL<br />
KEVIN BUTLER’S PLAYERS OF THE GAME<br />
OFFENSIVE PLAYER<br />
Each week, Georgia and Chicago<br />
Bears Hall of Fame legend Kevin<br />
Butler picks his Players of the<br />
Game. A member of numerous<br />
Halls of Fame and holder of a<br />
slew of records, Butler co-hosts<br />
DawgTalk on Georgia Football<br />
Saturdays and the famous<br />
Bulldog Brunch from the Hilltop<br />
Grille on Sundays.<br />
— COMPILED BY JEFF DANTZLER<br />
Stetson Bennett - This Bulldog rises to the occasion no<br />
matter what the situation might be. Bennett‘s performance<br />
once again, adds to the legend of one of the greatest Bulldogs<br />
ever. In the hardest game of the year against the toughest<br />
competition in the semifinals Bennett was 23 of 34 for 398<br />
yards with three TDs, while directing a comeback in the last<br />
two minutes of the game to propel Georgia to the national<br />
championship game against TCU. The great ones do it when<br />
they have to and Stetson produced in the fourth quarter,<br />
going 10 for 12 for 190 yards and two TDs in a performance<br />
that’ll go down in collegiate football history. There’s one more<br />
game to go. Stetson, just keep being yourself and mail home<br />
the national championship to the state of Georgia who will all<br />
be behind you.<br />
DEFENSIVE PLAYER<br />
Javon Bullard - In the semifinal game against Ohio State, both defenses<br />
were put to the test and both defenses got exposed, but in the end,<br />
Georgia bent, but did not break. Javon Bullard ‘s play inspires me as a fan.<br />
He brings a tremendous effort and enthusiasm that captures a unique<br />
elegant violence that special defensive backs have. Three solo tackles,<br />
one sack and continued pressure makes Bullard a presence to be felt<br />
when the game is both physical for tackling and athletically challenging<br />
in the passing game. Ohio State certainly produced both physically<br />
and through the air, and Javon played to win, and Georgia’s defense<br />
did in the end. What I like the most is his effort and hustle wrapped in<br />
determination, a real Bulldog defender. TCU is up next and they will be<br />
ready for a physical fight and Bullard can lead the way.<br />
SPECIAL TEAM PLAYER<br />
Kearis Jackson – the senior Bulldog wide receiver, always produces on<br />
offense, but in a key situation against Ohio State, Kearis filled in where<br />
needed and produced at every given chance. We knew Ohio State would<br />
offer some opportunities to return kickoffs and Jackson took two returns<br />
for 50 yards to keep Ohio State at bay in the return game. Also, the senior<br />
Dawg had a 22 yard punt return that sent fear into the Ohio State fans!<br />
Kearis produced an extra 72 yards for the special teams in a game where<br />
you needed to win the special teams. He is a leader, and certainly will<br />
play a huge role against TCU. It’s nice to have KJ back there securing fair<br />
catches, while we try to get Ladd a little more healthy. A true Dawg and a<br />
team player.<br />
GO DAWGS!<br />
2021 National Champions<br />
OUR LOCATIONS:<br />
3981 Atlanta Hwy Ste 8/9<br />
Loganville, GA 30052<br />
678-691-9009<br />
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Conyers, GA. 30094<br />
770-648-6310<br />
500 Great Oaks Dr.<br />
Monroe, GA 30655<br />
678-635-5236<br />
1959 Barnett Shoals Rd.<br />
Athens, GA. 30605<br />
706-850-6397<br />
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BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 45 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW
When Online...<br />
VISIT ONE OF OUR TWO ONLINE STORES<br />
LISTED BELOW. GO DAWGS!<br />
When in Athens...<br />
TWO GREAT STORES FOR ALL<br />
YOUR BULLDOG NEEDS<br />
STATS THAT<br />
MATTER<br />
GEORGIA – 42<br />
OHIO STATE - 41<br />
BY: COBY SERINA<br />
A look back at what decided the game<br />
between Georgia and Ohio State.<br />
C.J. STROUD WAS LIGHTS<br />
OUT, BUT THE GEORGIA<br />
D CAME THROUGH WHEN<br />
NEEDED!<br />
PHOTO BY: CARTER HORNE<br />
University Spirit<br />
700 Baxter Street<br />
Athens, GA 30605<br />
706-353-2677<br />
www.universityspirit.com<br />
The Clubhouse<br />
157 College Avenue<br />
Athens, GA 30601<br />
706-369-9541 | www.ugaspirit.com<br />
Helping UGA fans look<br />
their very best since 1975<br />
Stetson Fleming Bennett IV and the<br />
physicality of these 2022 Georgia Bulldogs<br />
are two core identities that have shaped<br />
them to be the team that they are to this<br />
point. They’re one game away from lifting<br />
5.2<br />
another National Championship trophy<br />
and they have their Heisman finalist, run<br />
game, and defense to credit for it. Of course,<br />
there’s more to it, but those three things in<br />
particular have been essential.<br />
And it just so happens that those three<br />
atttributes were on full display against<br />
Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes in<br />
the Peach Bowl last Saturday. The most<br />
impressive of which was Stetson Bennett’s<br />
fourth quarter performance. The sixth year<br />
senior admitted that for a “30 minute period”<br />
he played bad football, but when he wasn’t<br />
living up to his standards he was going<br />
above and beyond them.<br />
His play on New Year’s Eve has his team back<br />
for another national title against the 13-1<br />
TCU Horned Frogs led by Sonny Dykes and<br />
fellow Heisman Finalist Max Duggan. While<br />
Vegas will keep the odds heavily leaning<br />
in the Dawgs favor, keep in mind there’s a<br />
reason that these games are actually played.<br />
The numbers aren’t everything, but for the<br />
Dawgs’ Peach Bowl victory here are the stats<br />
that mattered.<br />
190<br />
In the fourth quarter of the 2022 Peach<br />
Bowl, something just clicked in Stetson<br />
Bennett. Down 14 points in a College<br />
Football Playoff semi-final game, the<br />
mailman did what he does best: delivered.<br />
10 for 12 for 190 yards, two touchdowns,<br />
to seven different receivers. Video game<br />
numbers,<br />
27<br />
for sure. 190 is an impressive<br />
halftime stat, but Bennett managed to fit it<br />
all into 15 minutes. Although the numbers<br />
are impressive, it’s the mentality that<br />
should really boggle the mind. To start the<br />
second half Bennett only amassed 17 yards<br />
through the air, and on the other side of the<br />
ball, Ohio State continued to add to their<br />
lead. It takes a different kind of man to be<br />
a difference maker, and Stetson Bennett<br />
proved that he was just that in the Dawgs<br />
42-41 victory over the Buckeyes.<br />
5.2<br />
Don’t be distracted by the sky-high passing<br />
statistics and the big numbers on the<br />
scoreboard. There’s a reason the Dawgs<br />
were able to put up those kinds of numbers,<br />
and it starts with having a physical rushing<br />
attack. Coach Smart always says that teams<br />
that can run the ball are more often than<br />
not the guys that come out on top in these<br />
big postseason games, and that’s just what<br />
they were able to do (averaging 5.2 yards/<br />
carry). Albeit there was a lot of catchup to<br />
be played because of the volatility of the<br />
Ohio State offense, but when they needed<br />
to pound it on the ground, the Dawgs<br />
were getting it done at a high level. A good<br />
chunk of that yardage did come out of a<br />
52-yard Kenny McIntosh run, but regardless,<br />
fellow backs Daijun Edwards and Kendall<br />
Milton averaged 7.3 and 8.7 yards per carry<br />
respectively. RBU is in good shape heading<br />
into its second national championship<br />
appearance in the past two years.<br />
190<br />
27<br />
The Georgia defense’s most impressive<br />
stand began with a 5-yard rush from C.J.<br />
Stroud in what would be the Buckeye’s final<br />
possession of the game with 54 seconds<br />
left to go. Subsequent play is a 12-yard<br />
throw and catch to Julian Flemming. Next<br />
play Stroud steps back and rolls to evade<br />
pressure. What looked like a coverage sack<br />
turned into a 27-yard run to put Ohio State<br />
in position to kick a game-winning field<br />
goal and take this one home. While fans at<br />
home may have had their hands on their<br />
head preparing for the end, the Georgia<br />
defense didn’t even bother to flinch. Now on<br />
the UGA 31, the Buckeyes tried a run which<br />
went for a one yard loss. Stroud attempted<br />
a pass, broken up by Kelee Ringo. Stroud<br />
tried again, but it goes out of bounds. The<br />
Dawgs bring the Buckeyes to fourth down.<br />
Day calls on the kicking team, and they miss.<br />
Even in the face of death, Georgia’s defense<br />
remained composed, and even though they<br />
let up 41 points, the defense won the game<br />
on that drive.<br />
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 46 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW
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