Stetson Bennett discusses continuity of offense at Georgia

Stetson Bennett sure looked like he took a leap forward over the offseason during his monster performance against Oregon. Considering how long the Georgia quarterback has been with the program, it’s fitting he had such a huge day.

Bennett threw for a career-high 368 yards as the Bulldogs flew past the Ducks 49-3 in Week 1. Now in his fourth year back with the program after transferring to Jones College in 2018, he looks ready for a big season in his first full campaign as the starter.

After the victory over Oregon, Bennett talked about continuity being key in the offense despite losing some key players from last year’s group. However, he said Kirby Smart builds the program for sustainability, so there are players waiting in the wings for an opportunity.

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“We didn’t lose that many guys,” Bennett said. “We lose several key guys, but not the core of the offense. … The guys who did leave, they left great examples. I waited, right? I came, I performed whenever it was my turn. Now, like, ‘Hey, you sit behind me for a year and then next year, it’s going to be your turn.’

“That’s kind of like what the program and Coach Smart’s building. It’s about the program, and I think we understand that. Whenever you know that your brother next to you is thinking the same way you do, then you trust him and you worry about your job and you execute your job and they execute their job. It just has a domino effect.”

On3’s Maisel and PicKell: Stetson Bennett has earned national respect

Bennett and the offense showed they made strides over the offseason and now, the question is whether people are giving the former walk-on the credit he deserves. On3’s Ivan Maisel said he’s more than earned it.

“If they’re not, they’re not paying attention,” Maisel said. “Granted, this kind of play Saturday was a star turn by Stetson Bennett and that’s not something we’ve seen. We saw it a little bit in the second half against Alabama, especially in the fourth quarter. But this was a guy who looked comfortable, who made plays, made things happen. Again, this is against a coach who knows him and to throw for a career-high 368 [yards] is really something.”

On3’s J.D. PicKell agreed, citing Bennett’s presence in the offense. He pointed to a few different factors in that success, including how long he’s been with the program.

“Stetson Bennett just looked super in control, in command,” PicKell said. “He really looked like a new level of comfortable in that offense. Maybe it has something to do with Oregon, maybe it’s the fact that he’s been there for what feels like 27 years now. But all that’s to say if Stetson Bennett plays like that the duration of the season, Georgia should be in poll position for another SEC title.”