LOS ANGELES – A dynasty is born.
No. 1 Georgia–college football's premier program–won its second consecutive national title against a TCU team that could not match the Bulldogs' size, speed, or physicality. From start to finish, the game was a bloodbath in the Bulldogs' 65-7 victory.
Quarterback Stetson Bennett couldn't be stopped, completing 18 of 25 passes for 304 yards and four touchdowns. Bennett also ran for 39 yards and scored two touchdowns on the ground. Bennett's top target was none other than tight end Brock Bowers, who had a monstrous day catching the ball.
Bowers totaled seven catches for 152 yards and a score.
Conversely, the Georgia defense prevented the TCU offense from doing much of anything. Quarterback Max Duggan, the Heisman Trophy runner-up, threw two costly interceptions and only mustered 152 passing yards.
Georgia's win gives it a perfect 15-0 season. This marks the first time the Bulldogs finished unbeaten since 1980. The program also set a new record for most wins in a single season.
What it means
This will go down as Georgia's greatest team ever.
Fifteen wins. Zero losses. A Heisman Trophy finalist. A defense that experienced little to no drop off after seeing five players on that side of the ball selected in the first round of the NFL draft.
This is the first perfect season for the Bulldogs since the 1980 title team. The Bulldogs are the first team to win back-to-back titles in the College Football Playoff era. Georgia's sheer dominance in the trenches on both sides of the ball overwhelmed the Horned Frogs, etching themselves in program lore.
And quite honestly, it would be interesting to compare this Georgia team to some of the all-time great squads in the history of college football.
Three important plays
Smith's strip: Early in the first quater, TCU receiver Derius Davis took an end-around and tried to cut it upfield near the sideline. Safety Christopher Smith closed and stripped the ball away from Davis' grasp, with defensive back Javon Bullard jumping on the recovery. This play led to a field goal that gave Georgia an early 10-0 lead.
Bombs away: Up 10-7, Bennett marched the Bulldogs methodically to the TCU 37-yard line. From there, offensive coordinator Todd Monken dialed up an impressive play call that left receiver Ladd McConkey wide open for a deep touchdown down the left side of the field. This stunted the momentum TCU thought it took back on the prior possession.
Bullard's second pick: Having already come down with one interception on a deep ball from Duggan, Bullard read Duggan's eyes on a third-and-18 and recorded his second pick of the game. Two plays later, Bennett threw up a 22-yard touchdown down the right sideline to receiver AD Mitchell to put this game away at the half.
Grading Georgia
Offense: A
Bennett capped off his Georgia career in the most memorable way possible. He lit up the first half with two passing touchdowns and two rushing scores. The Bulldogs were unstoppable on offense against an overmatched TCU defensive front.
Defense: A
Likewise, the TCU offensive line was unable to hold up against Georgia's bigger defensive front. The UGA pressure forced Duggan into some poor throws, which resulted in two turnovers. Smith's forced fumble was also crucial in the blowout.
Special teams: A
Not asked to do much, the special teams made zero mistakes until a final missed extra point.
End of season grades
Offense: A-
Defense: A
Special teams: A-