Kirby Smart addresses Georgia's dominant first half vs. TCU

It was Georgia, Georgia, Stetson Bennett and more Georgia in the first half of the 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship game.

TCU didn’t have a single answer for the reigning champions – and they have 30 minutes to mount what looks to be an insurmountable 38-7 deficit to overcome. Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart challenged his team to keep pouring it on following the one-sided first-half performance against the Horned Frogs.

“We were aggressive, but it’s a 60-minute game. We have not had our best moments in the third quarter and they have,” Smart said at the half. “We’re going to challenge our team to come out, play really physical and play aggressive.”

Stetson Bennett was the heart and soul of the Georgia offensive efforts. The one-time walk-on went for four total first-half touchdowns, including two on the ground. His 213 passing yards are more than out-gaining the TCU offense (121) at the break. Georgia has 354 offensive yards total.

Catch the second half of the CFP national title game live on ESPN as TCU looks to claw back into the game with its back against the wall.

Stetson Bennett becomes third quarterback with multiple national championship rushing touchdowns

Stetson Bennett has already made history early in the College Football Playoff national championship against TCU, setting the Georgia single season passing record. For that one, he surpassed the legendary Aaron Murray and his fantastic 2012 season.

Now, he is cementing his name alongside some all-time greats after a second rushing touchdown. He now joins Ohio State’s Craig Krenzel and Texas’ Vince Young as the only quarterbacks to have multiple rushing touchdowns in a national championship game.

Bennett’s second one was rather easy, getting into the end zone untouched. Even if there was a TCU defender in the area, there was a convoy of offensive lineman leading the quarterback into the end zone.

The score put Georgia up 24-7 and has Kirby Smart’s team rolling early in the first half. A potential blowout could be in the works, especially with how well Bennett is playing both in the air and on the ground.

Whenever your name is being associated with Young during a national championship game, you know something special is brewing. Bennett has been a threat with his legs all season but has really shown up on the biggest stage against TCU.