UGA Football: Bennett Going to New York as Heisman Trophy Finalist

ATHENS — University of Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett has been named one of the four Heisman Trophy finalists announced Monday night. The four finalists will be in New York this Saturday night for the announcement of the Heisman winner.

Bennett led the Bulldogs to the College Football Playoff national championship in the 2021 season and has the undefeated Georgia team currently at the top of the rankings heading into this year’s playoff.

The Blackshear, Ga., sixth year senior is 27-3 as the starting Georgia quarterback. He’s the third Heisman finalist invited to New York joining 1982 Heisman winner Herschel Walker and 1992 running back Garrison Hearst. Georgia’s other Heisman winner was 1942 quarterback Frank Sinkwich.

“I don’t even know what to think right now,” said Bennett. “We have a lot of good players who make me look good. It’s special. This honor is all about my teammates and this team. I wouldn’t be here if we didn’t have the team that we have. This honor is for them. I understand what Coach Smart means when he says that success comes to those who don’t look for it or are too busy working to look for it. I have never thought about the Heisman. I just wanted to play quarterback at Georgia. I just wanted to play football. I’m thinking of the players and people who have been in this with me. Regardless of who wins, it’s a huge honor to be in this group. The wideouts, tight ends, running backs, offensive line, defense, coaches – I wouldn’t have this opportunity without them so a ton of gratitude for them.”

About Stetson Bennett

Walter Camp National Offensive Player of the Week, Manning Award Quarterback of the Week, Davey O’Brien Great 8 (vs. #11 UO); Manning Award Stars of the Week, Davey O’Brien Great 8 (@ SC); Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Top 10 QB; Davey O’Brien Class of 2022; SEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week, Davey O’Brien Great 8, Manning Award Quarterback of the Week (#1 UT); Davey O’Brien Award/Walter Camp National Player of the Year semifinalist; Burlsworth Trophy finalist; Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award finalist; Manning Award finalist; SEC Championship Game MVP

* Bennett 27-3 As A Starter at Georgia

* Senior Stetson Bennett, a native of Blackshear, Ga., began his career with the Bulldogs as a walk-on in 2017 when he was redshirted. Bennett transferred to Jones College (Miss.) where he started in 2018 and then returned to the Bulldogs on scholarship in 2019. He saw action that season in five games including throwing passes in four of them. In 2020, he started five games and then got the nod in the final 11 contests of the 2021 national championship season.

* In his Bulldog career, Bennett has won a national championship and an SEC title and is 27-3 as a starter. He has completed 64.8 percent of his passes (560-for-864, 7,726 yards, 59 TDs, 20 INTs).

* In school history, Georgia is 3-5 all-time against the No. 1 team and Bennett is 2-0. He led Georgia to a victory over No. 1 Alabama in the 2022 CFP National Championship Game and then against top-ranked Tennessee this season.

* Currently ranks third nationally among active players in Total Offense Yards Per Play for a career at 8.28, which is on pace for both an SEC and school record (8.30 by Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M; 7.69 by Aaron Murray, Georgia). Current active national leader is C.J. Stroud (9.12, Ohio State) followed by Grayson McCall (8.45, Coastal Carolina).

* Most recently, Bennett completed 79 percent of his passes, going 23-for-29 for 274 yards, and threw four touchdown passes against No. 14 LSU in the SECCG. He has tied the school record with 269 completions on the season (Eric Zeier, 1993).

* After falling behind for only the second time this season (No. 1 Tennessee 3-0, 10:05 1stQ), Bennett directed an 80-yard touchdown drive that was capped by his 13-yard scamper to the pylon. The Bulldogs would never trail again against the Vols.

* Bennett took off for a career-long 64-yard touchdown run during the win over Auburn, giving the Bulldogs a 28-3 edge at the start of the fourth quarter. His scoring scamper was the longest for a Georgia QB since 1976 when Ray Goff flew 73 yards for paydirt in a 41-0 win at Clemson.

* Bennett and Tim Tebow (four) are the only two SEC players since 2004 to have at least four consecutive games with 250 passing yards and one rushing score. Aaron Murray is the only other Bulldog quarterback to have at least 250 passing yards and at least one rushing score in four games overall during a season (2013).

* Bennett earned Walter Camp National FBS Offensive Player of the Week and Manning Award National QB of the Week honors while leading No. 3 Georgia to a 49-3 rout of No. 11 Oregon in this season’s opener. He directed the Bulldogs to seven touchdowns on their first seven drives and finished 25 of 31 for a career-high 368 yards and two touchdowns. Bennett also had a 1-yard rushing score against the Ducks. Bennett’s 368 passing yards in the win was the most in a season opener by a Bulldog since 1994 when Eric Zeier tallied 485 yards in a road win over South Carolina.

* He ranked fourth nationally in Passing Efficiency (176.7) last year, which broke the school record in that category previously belonging to Aaron Murray (174.8, 2012).

* In 2021, Bennett helped Georgia complete historic 8-0 SEC regular seasons in 2021 and 2022

* During the CFP National Championship Game versus No. 1 Alabama, Bennett finished 17-for-26 passing with 224 yards, two touchdowns and no picks. Trailing 18-13 with 10:14 left in the game, Bennett directed a four-play, 75-yard scoring drive that gave the Bulldogs a one-point lead at the 8:09 mark (a two-point conversion failed). Georgia never relinquished its lead to collect its first national championship in 41 years. Bennett was named the game’s Offensive MVP as was the case in the CFP Semifinal Orange Bowl victory over Michigan.