Georgia wins Orange Bowl, clinches spot in National Championship Game

MIAMI, Fla. — The time is here as No. 3 Georgia takes on No. 2 Michigan in the 2021 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.

Both teams enter at 12-1 on the season, however the Wolverines are winners of the Big Ten as opposed to the Bulldogs losing their last game. That’s struck some doubt into the minds of College Football fans, and Georgia will look to remind folks why its been so successful as season long with a strong showing tonight.

Stetson Bennett and the Georgia offense square off against a strong Michigan defense led by Heisman Trophy finalist Aidan Hutchinson and his pass rushing partner David Ojabo. The two have combined for 25 sacks on the season, the first Wolverine duo to do so in program history. Bennett will have running backs Zamir White and James Cook, wide receivers Jermaine Burton, Ladd McConkey, George Pickens and tight end Brock Bowers, among others, in his attempt to master the Michigan defense.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the ball, All-American defenders Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean will do their best to try and slow down a Michigan rushing attack that ranks second in country among FBS teams and No. 10 overall in terms of yards per game. Hassan Haskins and Blake Corum have combined for over 2,000 yards and 31 touchdowns on the season behind the best offensive line in the country, winners of the Joe Moore Award.

This is a battle that’ll likely be won in the trenches, but you already know that if you’ve been keeping up with our stuff this week. If not, no worries. We’ve got you covered. Check out the list of below stories to get caught up on all that was said in the leadup to tonight’s New Year’s Eve College Football Playoff battle.

Dan Lanning Discusses Balancing Act of Duties at Georgia and Oregon

Lanning, Georgia Players Express Confidence in Co-Defensive Coordinators

Q&A with the Opponent: Clayton Sayfie of The Wolverine Part 1 and Part 2

Todd Monken Answers Georgia Quarterback Questions

George Pickens Back and Part of Plan for Orange Bowl

One Speed, Full Speed for Freshman Brock Bowers

Kirby Smart Names Stetson Bennett Starter, Affirms Confidence in Quarterback

Georgia Fights COVID Concerns as Dawgs Aim for Full Strength

Jamaree Salyer Ready to Take on Challenge of Aidan Hutchinson

Georgia-Michigan: Matchups and Players to Watch

Smart, Harbaugh Similarities Stand Out in Playoff Prep

James Cook Returns Home for Georgia in Orange Bowl

Lessons Learned from Georgia’s SEC Championship Loss

Georgia’s Keys to Victory Versus Michigan

Bold Predictions for Georgia-Michigan

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN with Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit on the call. Alternate broadcasts are also available on ESPN2 (Control Center), ESPNU (Skycast), ESPNEWS (All-22) and SEC Network (Georgia Hometown Radio). The winner of tonight’s game will advance to play the winner of No. 1 Alabama and No. 4 Cincinnati, the first semifinal matchup, the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, taking place at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas.

That’s all for now. Be sure to check back in periodically throughout pregame warmups as we’ll provide updates based on what we see. Then, during the game, we’ll provide LIVE drive-by-drive summaries coming to you from the press box at Hard Rock Stadium.

Pregame

• Can confirm that Georgia offensive lineman Sedrick Van Pran made the trip with the Bulldogs despite reports that he would not play due to COVID-19.
• Adding to the above report on Van Pran, he took snaps with Stetson Bennett when the quarterbacks and centers were working together in the pregame.
• Lot of Michigan fans here. At least 60-40 Michigan, might be closer to 70-30.
• William Poole running with the first team defense at STAR. Chris Smith at safety.
• Captains for Georgia: Jordan Davis, Nakobe Dean, Jamaree Salyer and Zamir White
• Bulldogs lose the toss and will receive the opening kickoff

First Quarter

• Georgia received the opening kickoff and drove 80 yards for the score. Stetson Bennett found Brock Bowers for the score from 9 yards out, giving Bowers the single-season receiving touchdown record (12) plus the single-season reception record for a tight end at UGA (50). Other big plays included a completion to AD Mitchell for a gain of 16 and Bennett to Bowers to pick up 35 into Michigan territory. UGA leads 7-0 10:49 1Q
• After Michigan drove into Georgia territory with a 18-yard scramble by Cade McNamara to start the drive, the Wolverines turned the ball over on downs at the UGA 38. McNamara saw 3rd and 4 and 4th and 4 passes to his tight ends fall incomplete. Georgia takes over there.
• Georgia gets tricky after the stop defensively. Kenny McIntosh completes a touchdown pass to AD Mitchell from 18 yards out after driving into Michigan territory with a Stetson Bennett completion to Ladd McConkey and a 21-yard run by James Cook. UGA leads 14-0 4:41 1Q
• Georgia defense gets off the field quickly after the score. Michigan converted a 3rd and 5, but the Wolverines went backwards from there. Robert Beal had a sack for a loss of 6 yards, Quay Walker batted down a pass at the line of scrimmage and then Nakobe Dean made a tackle in the open field for a loss of 2. Michigan punts and Kearis Jackson calls for fair catch at the UGA 25 where the Bulldogs take over.
• END 1Q: Georgia runs two plays after the punt and will face 3rd and 3 after the break. Bulldogs lead Michigan 14-0.

Second Quarter

• Georgia drive stalls out in Michigan territory. The Bulldogs converted on 3rd and 3 before Stetson Bennett scrambled 20 yards to the Michigan 27, but Georgia settles instead for a 44-yard field goal from Jack Podlesny. UGA leads 17-0 12:26 2Q
• Michigan is on the board with a 36-yard field goal make from Jake Moody. The Wolverines hit on a long completion from Cade McNamara to Roman Wilson for a gain of 42 down to the UGA 19. However, Nakobe Dean took down McNamara for a sack and loss of 8 and the defense held strong to force the field goal. UGA leads 17-3 7:16 2Q
• Georgia responds with a field goal of its own, 28 yards for Jack Podlesny. The drive was highlighted by a 3rd and 3 conversion on a 53 yard reception from James Cook. UGA leads 20-3 3:50 2Q
• After a three-and-out and a timeout that got Georgia the ball back, the Bulldogs cashed in with a 57-yard touchdown pass to Jermaine Burton. UGA leads 27-3 1:38 2Q
• Michigan’s drive lasted just one play as Derion Kendrick intercepts Cade McNamara. On the play, Christopher Smith was called for targeting. Georgia takes over at their own 36. Smith is done for the day.
• HALF: Georgia runs four very conservative plays and takes it into the half leading Michigan 27-3.

Third Quarter

• Derion Kendrick comes up with his second interception of the game, picking off Cade McNamara this time in the end zone to keep Michigan off the board on its opening drive of the second half.
• Georgia punts after going three-and-out. It was the Bulldogs’ first punt of the game.
• A third straight Michigan drive ends in a turnover after Nakobe Dean forces a fumble that was recovered by Devonte Wyatt.
• Georgia shot itself in the foot on the drive following the turnover with four penalties that pushed themselves back. That led to a 1st and 29 and ultimately a 45-yard field goal attempt from Jack Podlesny that sailed wide left.
• END 3Q: Georgia leads 27-3 with Michigan at the Georgia 41 facing 3rd and 6 after the break.

Fourth Quarter

• Michigan turns it over on downs as JJ McCarthy sees three passes fall incomplete and a rush for no gain. Georgia takes over at its own 32.
• James Cook cashes in for a 39-yard touchdown reception in his hometown to extend Georgia’s lead. On the drive, Stetson Bennett scrambled and moved the chains before connecting with Cook for the score. UGA leads 34-3 11:11 4Q
• Michigan does everything possible to get on the board with a touchdown but can’t. JJ McCarthy drove the Wolverines 15 plays and 69 yards before turning it over to Georgia at the 6.
• Chazz Chambliss is ejected for targeting and Georgia allows its first touchdown of the game. He’ll miss the first half of Georgia’s National Championship Game. Then, JJ McCarthy to Andrel Anthony from 35 yards out for the score. They then go for a 2-point conversion and score. UGA leads 34-11 4:25 4Q
• Georgia is able to run the clock out on its Orange Bowl victory with an eight play drive capped off by a 4th and 2 conversion by Kendall Milton.
• FINAL: Georgia wins 34-11 over Michigan and will head to the National Championship Game for a rematch against No. 1 Alabama on January 10th in Indianapolis.

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