Stetson Bennett pushes for Georgia offensive line to win Joe Moore Award

He may be more than a little biased but Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Stetson Bennett believes his offensive line unit is the obvious choice for the 2022 Joe Moore Award. The Bulldogs are one of two remaining finalists, along with the Michigan Wolverines. However, the committee won’t reveal the winner until later this month.

“Just turn on the tape,” Bennett tweeted in support of his OL. “Nothing against Michigan, I’m sure Coach Moore’s group had a great year. But just turn on the tape. You’ll see a Buncha big, smart ATHLETES playing physical as hell. When we go we go because of them.”

As Bennett points out in his tweet, the No. 1 Georgia squad’s offensive line has given up just seven sacks this season. Michigan has given up 13 and although it is still impressive, 15 programs, not just Georgia, had fewer this year.

Just turn on the tape. Nothing against Michigan, I’m sure Coach Moore’s group had a great year. But just turn on the tape. You’ll see a Buncha big, smart ATHLETES playing physical as hell. When we go we go because of them. #obvious #7sacks #dudes🦍🦍🦍🦍🦍 https://t.co/CzUFBnYhiT

— Stetson F. Bennett IV (@StetsonIv) December 7, 2022

Coached by Stacy Searels, the Bulldogs’ OL has helped the offense average 39.2 points per game and 207 yards per game rushing.

Both Joe Moore Award finalist units could go head to head if they both make it through their CFP semifinal games. First, Georgia faces Ohio State and Michigan takes on TCU.

“To be considered a potential Joe Moore Award winner, an offense must be successful because of their O- line unit, not despite it, and that is unquestionably the case with the 2022 finalists,” Cole Cubelic, chairman of the Joe Moore Award voting committee, said.

“Historically it’s taken five to six weeks for O-line units to hit their stride, but Georgia and Michigan separated themselves pretty early on with their teamwork, technique, and commitment to physicality.”

Bennett finishes fourth in Heisman voting

The Heisman Trophy went to USC quarterback Caleb Williams on Saturday night. The full voting results revealed that Georgia’s favorite former walk-on Stetson Bennett finished fourth. Between Williams and Bennett was TCU’s Max Duggan and Ohio State’s CJ Stroud in second and third respectively.

Bennett received 36 total first-place votes, one shy of Stroud’s 37. Stroud’s 119 second-place votes and 190 third-place votes both outpaced Bennett as well. In total, Bennett received 349 points to Williams’ 2,031, Duggan’s 1,420 and Stroud’s 539. The highest non-finalist was Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker who had 226 points and finished fifth.

The rest of the top 10 were Bryce Young, Blake Corum, Michael Penix Jr., Bijan Robinson and Drake Maye.