National

Georgia blowout of TCU allows Stetson Bennett to watch 4th quarter from the sideline

In a beatdown reminiscent of 1980s Super Bowls, Georgia outmuscled, outclassed and outplayed TCU en route to a 52-7 third-quarter lead in Monday's CFP national championship.

TCU got on the board thanks to a busted coverage in the first quarter. But it was a blip on the screen as a Stetson Bennett-led Bulldogs offense steamrolled the Horned Frogs to in insurmountable lead. The margin was so wide, in fact, that Georgia didn't need its All-SEC quarterback in the fourth quarter.

With 13:25 remaining in regulation, head coach Kirby Smart called a timeout so he could pull Bennett from the game. The pending two-time national champion's job was done. It was time for his curtain call in his final appearance in a Georgia uniform.

The Bulldogs fans who made the winter trip to Southern California showed their appreciation with a standing ovation as Bennett shared hugs with Smart and his teammates on the Georgia sideline. Sophomore Carson Beck then took over at quarterback for some certainly unexpected playing time in the national championship.

A former walk-on, Bennett earned offensive MVP honors in leading Georgia to its first national title since 1980 in last year's championship win over SEC rival Georgia. He showed out again on Monday while completing 18 of 25 passes for 304 yards and four touchdowns. He added 39 yards and two more scores on the ground. This is the stuff of college football legend.

Bennett more than earned his moment in the proverbial sun.