Stetson Bennett gushes over his love of football, Georgia Bulldogs

Leading his team into their biggest game of the year on Saturday, Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett took time to reflect on the joys of football. Reporters asked Bennett on Monday during the SEC championship teleconference what he’s enjoyed most from his journey in Athens.

“I’m the luckiest guy in the world,” Bennett started. “I think just the coolest thing, if you just break it down, is just being able to play football. I love the game and what it allows communities and people to do, to come together and be a part of something bigger than themselves. It teaches them about life. Allows little kids from rec ball on to be part of a team, which is so important, I believe. It allows them to get tougher. It allows them to see that there are ups and downs.

The 5-foot-11, 190-pound senior signal-caller has thrown for nearly 2,000 yards with 21 touchdowns in 2021. The way he’s performed is a big reason why the Bulldogs are undefeated and ranked No. 1 for the College Football Playoff.

“So the coolest thing for me is, I come from a high school that I think there was one other guy who went to play college ball, and he went to play D-III ball in Vermont,” Bennett said. “I’ve always expected to play ball because I’ve always had a high confidence in my abilities, but when you start asking about what’s the coolest moment of this journey, maybe I’ll have a different answer in ten years when I’m looking back, but right now, I’m focused on playing football.

“And I think I’m the luckiest guy in the world to be able to do that and to be able to do it at an institution that is as fine as the University of Georgia.”

Bennett hoping for better showing versus Alabama

Saturday won’t be the first time Stetson Bennett has faced the Crimson Tide. However, he’s certainly hoping for a better performance this time around.

The last time Bennett faced Alabama was back on Oct. 17, 2020, when he completed less than 50% of his passes and threw three interceptions in a 41-24 loss. He did finish with over 250 yards and recorded two touchdown passes, but Bennett has certainly improved since that game.

“Just the understanding – more understanding of football and what a game takes to win,” Bennett said on Monday. “Knowing that individual plays are hard to win a game, but they’re very easily lost. That’s where most games – especially at the college level – are won and lost is by losing them, not by individual plays winning them.

“So, not pressing and trusting everybody else on our team and defense and offense and knowing that I don’t have to go out there and win the game on an individual play. It’s OK to throw the ball away or run and get two or three yards – and just not to press.”

Bennett and the top-ranked Bulldogs kickoff against Alabama at 4 p.m. ET Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

On3’s Tyler Mansfield contributed to this report.