Smael Mondon breaks down crazy interception in SEC Championship game
Smael Mondon had one of the more unique interceptions you’ll ever see during the SEC Championship Game.
The Georgia linebacker watched as the football hit off a LSU receiver, floated in the air and into his hands. Not even the camera crew knew where to film. Speaking with the media afterwards, Mondon was all smiles, and broke down the interception turn by turn.
“I just seen the ball bounce up, and then it was floating in the air. It was like slow motion. I just grabbed it. Then when I had the ball, it was like everything was going fast,” explained Mondon. “It didn’t feel real, it felt like a dream.
“… I seen it go off the helmet. … When I caught it, I knew it was a pick. After I got tackled, I started moving around and then the refs were standing there. Like, I knew it didn’t hit the ground. It felt like a dream, for real.”
It wasn’t a dream Smael, it’s a play that’ll live on for the linebacker and for Georgia, and he’ll always remember it when he shines up his SEC Championship ring.
Regardless, the job isn’t done for Smael Mondon or the Bulldogs, as Georgia now can look ahead to the College Football Playoff.
Kirby Smart reveals what it means to win SEC Championship after last year’s loss
On Saturday in Atlanta, Georgia coach Kirby Smart did just about the only thing he was unable to accomplish with the Bulldogs last season: Win an SEC Championship.
Georgia dominated LSU to win 50-30 in the conference title game, snapping a three-game losing streak in the SEC Championship to claim the league crown for the first time since 2017. Speaking postgame with CBS Sports’ Jenny Dell, Smart said this was a goal the team had in mind all season because of last year’s loss to Alabama.
“So proud of this group,” he said. “All they wanted to do — they kept talking about doing something last year’s group didn’t do. They had really good, physical practices this week and I’m so proud of the way they prepared for this game. So proud of this university, this fanbase to get an opportunity to come in this place and play in this game is just a great honor.”
Georgia struck first on a 95-yard touchdown return on a blocked field goal and never looked back. The Bulldogs jumped out to a 35-7 lead to start things out and led 35-10 at halftime following an LSU field goal to end the half.
Quarterback Stetson Bennett led the way to finish 23-of-29 passing for 274 yards and four touchdown, all of which came in the first half. Smart had high praise for Bennett, a former walk-on who took over as the starter last season, in his postgame comments as well.
“A drill a minute, man,” the coach said. “The guy is really good, he’s really athletic, he plays within our system and he makes everybody better around him. Nobody watches more tape and prepares more than he does.”
Georgia also finished with 255 yards rushing as a team along with two touchdowns from Kenny McIntosh. The defense also played a major role, forcing three turnovers and coming away with four sacks.
Now coming off of the SEC Championship, Kirby Smart and Georgia will get ready complete for a second straight national championship. The Bulldogs are likely to end up as the No. 1 team in the College Football Playoff when the final rankings are revealed on Sunday.