Back-To-Back

Issue 2
Season Preview
2022National
2Champions
Edition
Back-To-Back
BY JEFF DANTZLER
After an all-time enjoyable
off season, it was time to
get back to work. Well,
the football team had
been putting in the time since not
too soon after the victory over
the Crimson Tide and celebration
parade and coronation. But for the
Georgia fans, it was time for the
countdown to the season to begin.
Bulldawg Illustrated coverboy
Bennett, MVP of the Orange Bowl
and National Championship Game,
was primed for a big season as the
offense may have to take more of
a lead role with so many new faces
on defense.
Amongst those heir apparent
players who would be tested were
the inside linebackers, led by
highly touted sophomores Smael
Mondon and Jamon Dumas-
Johnson. They were standing in
for a tremendous trio of inside
‘backers who departed for the
NFL. Mondon and JDJ were lights
out throughout the season, a
testament to Georgia’s recruiting
and development. The defense
would be tested out of the gate?
How quickly could they grow up?
Throughout its history, most
of Georgia’s greatest seasons
have come with highly touted
opponents scheduled for the
season opener. Smart has talked
about how that big early game
helps grab the attention of the
team in preseason camp. That was
the case against Clemson and was
the case again this season with the
Oregon Ducks rolling to Mercedes-
Benz Stadium, and doing so with
a familiar face, Dan Lanning. The
countdown was on as the Bulldogs
were set to go championship and
history hunting.
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 88 2022 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS EDITION