Stetson Bennett explains pair of interceptions against Alabama

Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett has thrown for multiple interceptions in just two games this season. The first was against Florida on Oct. 30.

The second was Saturday against Alabama in the SEC Championship Game.

The Bulldogs suffered their first loss of the season this weekend, as the Crimson Tide put up 41 points on their vaunted defense. But Bennett’s pair of miscues also played a key factor in the loss. Both of his picks came in the second half, with the final one serving as the proverbial nail in the coffin.

There was 11:59 remaining and Georgia trailed 31-17 when it began its drive in hope of a comeback. Instead, Bennett threw an interception on just the third play and Alabama safety Jordan Battle returned it 42 yards for a pick six.

“I felt fine,” Bennett said postgame. “The first one was a bad decision. The second one, I didn’t see the safety driving. Like I said, you can’t have those two plays against players like this. They made us pay for it.”

Although Georgia lost its No. 1 ranking, it remained in the top four to earn a trip to the College Football Playoff. The Bulldogs will face Michigan on Dec. 31 in a battle of top 15 defenses. The winner will advance to the national championship to face either Alabama or Cincinnati.

Bennett did not begin this season as the starting quarterback, but quickly took over after JT Daniels struggled with injuries. Even when Daniels became healthy, coach Kirby Smart opted to stay with Bennett. He hasn’t put up the gaudy stats of a Bryce Young or Matt Corral, but he has gotten the job done.

The Bulldogs haven’t needed to lean on their offense as much this year thanks to a defense many claimed was the best ever. That wasn’t the case Saturday, as Bennett and company failed to make up for the worst defensive performance of the season.

Michigan’s offense isn’t nearly on the same level as Alabama, so don’t expect a repeat performance on New Year’s Eve. The Wolverines love to run the ball, something the Bulldogs defense is typically performs well against.

If the defense can regroup and Stetson Bennett avoids throwing interceptions, we can expect to see Georgia in the national championship.