Best passing plays in Georgia football history: 2nd & 18
DawgsHQ wants to take a look at the best passing plays in Georgia football history, and none of these lists are complete without the one that happened on 2nd & 18.
We all have our favorites, or at the very least, we all have a play that immediately comes to mind.
*** Previous entries in this series: ***
David Greene to Michael Johnson at Auburn in 2002
Jake Fromm to Terry Godwin at Notre Dame in 2017
David Greene to Verron Haynes at Tennessee in 2001
Buck Belue to Lindsay Scott vs. Florida in 1980
Today, we’ll revisit the toss that won Georgia this past season’s National Championship.
It’s the final entry into this series, and it’s the Georgia passing play I currently consider to be number one.
I get it. You may still view Belue to Scott as Georgia’s best passing play ever
It’s been numero uno my entire life. It’s still a tremendously significant play. Beat the Gators, Larry Munson, all of it.
Here’s my deal.
Stetson Bennett and AD Mitchell on 2nd & 18 (and the Georgia defense after that) allowed Belue-to-Scott to pass the baton to the next generation.
Finally.
Once Georgia scored on this play, it took a lead 19-18 and never relinquished it.
In my book, that’s the definition of a ‘game-winner.’
Bennett and Mitchell’s connection erased 41 years of ‘Georgia can’t win the big one.’
All of those ‘1980’ tweets from Florida fans and Auburn fans and Tennessee fans (1998. Is that how this works?) disappeared from their Twitter finger insult arsenals.
2nd & 18 gave Georgia fans their own February date to celebrate
Georgia fans had to endure 2nd & 26 tweets every February since Tua Tagovailoa hit Devonta Smith in overtime to steal the Dawgs’ previous shot at a National Championship.
(Click that link. It’s not a video of the play. Promise.)
Top 10
- 1Breaking
Dylan Raiola injury
Nebraska QB will play vs. USC
- 2
Elko pokes at Kiffin
A&M coach jokes over kick times
- 3New
SEC changes course
Alcohol sales at SEC Championship Game
- 4
Bryce Underwood
Michigan prepared to offer No. 1 recruit $10.5M over 4 years
- 5Trending
Dan Lanning
Oregon coach getting NFL buzz
Now, they have their own February down-and-distance holiday every February 18th.
Where, Alabama, is your victory? Where, 2nd & 26, is your sting?
Stetson Bennett and AD Mitchell gave Dawgs fans a reason to celebrate one play the rest of their lives, instead of wondering, ‘What if?’
Kelee Ringo gets all the replays. I’ll never forget 2nd & 18, though
People can always undermine Stetson Bennett as the product of a legendary defense, or a game manager, if they choose. (I don’t, for the record)
But they can never say Stetson didn’t make a damn good throw to give Georgia the lead for good – immediately after his ‘uh-oh’ moment fumble that resulted in an Alabama touchdown, no less.
James Cook picks up the block on Christian Harris.
Bennett shifts in the pocket.
Bennett lofts it up into the Lucas Oil Stadium air.
I put the friend beside me in the stands into a headlock of anticipation.
Mitchell makes one of many plays on an Alabama defender who had a rough night.
My buddies and I unhinge ourselves from social decorum.
February 18th becomes an unofficial state holiday.
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