Live Updates: No. 1 Georgia 65, No. 3 TCU 7 -- FINAL

Palmber-Thombsby:Palmer Thombs•01/09/23•

palmerthombs

LOS ANGELES — Georgia Football is in the National Championship Game for a second time in 365 days, and the Bulldogs are hoping to go back-to-back. Kirby Smart’s crew takes on TCU at SoFi Stadium Monday night (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN) with the College Football Playoff championship trophy on the line.

“Tremendous honor to be here, 130-something teams start out trying to achieve this. And there’s two left,” Smart said just over 24 hours before the game during Sunday’s joint coaches press conference. “I think it speaks volumes to the character of both teams, the way each team has been able to win football games. I think so much is overrated about talent and what so many people put into the game of football, when a team cares about each other and they have a lot of intangibles and really good players at the right positions, it makes for a special group.”

“There’s countless hours and minutes that these teams, both of us, have spent preparing,” he continued. “It’s a long process to get to the semifinal in terms of 28 or however many days, and then you’ve got another 10. And you end up spending a lot of time together through Christmas and through New Year’s and through travel. Our guys have really enjoyed that. I’ve enjoyed it. That’s why we get into this business. And what a great stage we get to play on Monday night. And just honored to be here and represent the University of Georgia.”

The Bulldogs opened as nearly two-touchdown favorites over the Horned Frogs after last Saturday’s semifinal win against Ohio State. After moving down some in the week leading up to the game, the line seems to have returned to the same 13-13.5 point range according to Vegas Insider.

With a win, Georgia would become just the third team in the modern-era of College Football (since 1970) to win back-to-back national championships, joining Nebraska (1994-95) and Alabama (2011-12). No team has done so since the start of the College Football Playoff era in 2014. The Bulldogs beat the Crimson Tide in January, 364 days ago today, to win their first title since 1980. The program’s only other claimed championship came in 1942.

Kickoff time from SoFi Stadium Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. There are plenty of other ways to watch the game too with the ESPN Megacast including but not limited to the Pat McAfee Show crew down on the field on ESPN2, an all-22 skycam on ESPNEWS and the Georgia hometown radio broadcast on the SEC Network. Below, DawgsHQ provides links for you to stream the game live, listen in, and follow along with the live stats.

STREAM | LISTEN | STATS

As always, there’s one more way to keep up with the goings on in this game. In the space below, DawgsHQ will be providing live updates, scores, highlights and news from before and during the game. Just use the refresh button on your browser to see those updates as they roll in.

Fourth Quarter

  • FINAL – Georgia has taken a knee on its second straight National Championship title and the school’s first ever 15-0 season. Georgia wins 65-7.
  • TCU PUNT – TCU moves the chains once before the Horned Frogs punt. Mekhi Mews calls for fair catch at the UGA 25.
  • Georgia’s 65 points are the most ever scored in a National Championship Game. Previous high was 65 by Nebraska in 1995, also on the back end of two consecutive titles.
  • UGA TOUCHDOWN – Branson Robinson gets a second rushing score, going 19 yards on one play after the turnover on downs. PAT is no good. (UGA 65-7 7:23 4Q)
  • TCU TURNOVER ON DOWNS – Max Duggan sacked twice on a four-and-out deep in his own territory. First time by Tykee Smith. Second by Jalon Walker, another freshman to record a sack.
  • UGA TIMEOUT – Second send off, this time on the defensive side of the ball: Kelee Ringo, Jalen Carter, Christopher Smith and Robert Beal.
  • UGA TOUCHDOWN – Carson Beck in the game at quarterback. Completes to Dillon Bell for a gain of 11 on 4th and 5. Then, on the next play, Branson Robinson carries 12 yards down to the goal line. Robinson eventually punches it in. PAT is good and is part of the new CFP Championship Game scoring record. (UGA 59-7 9:24 4Q)
  • UGA TIMEOUT – Kirby Smart calls timeout and lets Stetson Bennett have his moment in the sun. Super-senior walks off the field alone to the cheer of Georgia fans at SoFi Stadium. He finishes his day with 304 yards passing, four passing touchdowns, 39 yards rushing and two scores on the ground.
  • TCU TURNOVER ON DOWNS – Max Duggan completes to Emari Demercado to bring up a fourth and 11. Then, going for it on fourth, Duggan fires incomplete. Turnover on downs gives Georgia possession near midfield.
  • Couple of records that have come into play: Stetson Bennett has tied Joe Burrow for points responsible for (36) in a championship game. Also, Georgia has tied Alabama for most points in a CFP game (52).

Third Quarter

  • END 3Q – Robert Beal gets credit for a sack on the final play of the third quarter. TCU facing 3rd and 8 after the break.
  • TCU picks up a 3rd and 8 with a Max Duggan completion to Derius Davis. Play picks up 23 yards into Georgia territory.
  • UGA TOUCHDOWN – Stetson Bennett completes to Ladd McConkey on 3rd and 11 for the score. Bennett has 304 yards and four touchdowns, plus two rushing scores, still in the third quarter. PAT is good. (UGA 52-7 2:17 3Q)
  • Darnell Washington with a catch and a pickup of 28 to the TCU 13 while Warren McClendon is in at right tackle. All the banged up Bulldogs are making plays. Moves the chains on 3rd and 8, Georgia’s fourth first down this drive after starting inside their own 20.
  • TCU PUNT – Horned Frogs were driving and approaching Georgia territory before Bear Alexander puts an end to that with a tackle for loss. Freshman had a sack earlier in the game. Punt is fair caught by Kearis Jackson at the UGA 16.
  • ESPN’s Holly Rowe says Javon Bullard is out for the game. He’s got an ace bandage on his right shoulder.
  • UGA TOUCHDOWN – Stetson Bennett throws it up for Brock Bowers and his tight end comes down with it. Another third down conversion, another connection between Bennett and Bowers. PAT is good. (UGA 45-7 10:52 3Q)
  • TCU PUNT – Horned Frogs also go three-and-out on their first possession. Punt is fair caught at the UGA 45 when the Bulldogs will take over.
  • UGA PUNT – Georgia goes three-and-out on its first drive of the second. First punt for Brett Thorson and the Bulldogs tonight. TCU takes over at its own 10 after a holding penalty during the return.
  • TCU kicks off to Georgia and the Bulldogs will begin the second half with the ball.

Second Quarter

  • END 2Q – TCU runs one play and will head to the locker room trailing 38-7.
  • Georgia now has the single-half record in a CFP Championship Game with 38 points in the first half. Previous record was 35 by Alabama against Ohio State in 2021.
  • UGA TOUCHDOWN – Stetson Bennett completes to AD Mitchell in the corner of the end zone. 2 plays, 22 yards, 7 points. Podlesny PAT is good. (UGA 38-7 0:26 2Q)
  • UGA INTERCEPTION – Javon Bullard intercepts Duggan once again, his second of the night after a fumble recovery earlier. UGA ball at the TCU 22 with 36 seconds remaining in the half.
  • Max Duggan throws short on first down before being sacked on second down. 10-yard loss on the takedown by Bear Alexander. Timeout UGA with 3rd and 18 upcoming, 42 second left in the first half.
  • UGA TOUCHDOWN – Kendall Milton takes the handoff 1 yard for the Georgia score. PAT is good. (UGA 31-7 1:19 2Q)
  • TCU calls timeout with 1:23 to go in the first half. Georgia picks up a first down prior to that and will have 1st and Goal from the 1.
  • Stetson Bennett completes to Brock Bowers on 3rd and 15. Gain of 24 for a first down at the TCU 12. Those two have connected five times for 102 yards already. Georgia calls its first timeout of the game with 1:41 to go in the first half.
  • UGA INTERCEPTION – Javon Bullard intercepts Max Duggan after recovering a fumble earlier in the game. Peach Bowl Defensive MVP having himself one hell of a game already.
  • Chaz Chambliss with a tackle. He’s been in there before now but that’s his first recorded stat. Both him and Darnell Washington have played already in this one after being questionable coming into the game due to injuries suffered in the semifinal.
  • TCU’s 17-point deficit ties their second-largest of the season. Horned Frogs overcame that one and will begin their pursuit of overcoming this one at their 20 after a Darris Smith tackle on the kickoff.
  • UGA TOUCHDOWN – Stetson Bennett uses his legs once again for a score, going 6 yards for the touchdown. PAT is good. Bennett has 174 yards through the air plus another 39 on the ground accounting for three touchdowns so far today. (UGA 24-7 8:30 2Q)
  • Second third down conversion for Georgia this drive as Daijun Edwards picks up seven on 3rd and 2.
  • Stetson Bennett pressured immediately and he scrambles for a gain of 12 yards on 3rd and 10. Maybe a missed hold but the play before looked like a possible pass interference on TCU. 1st and 10 UGA at the TCU 33.
  • Brock Bowers picks up a first down with a 10-yard reception before he follows it up with a 35-yard gain. Georgia at the TCU 48.
  • Just announced in the press box, Georgia’s 17 points in the first quarter is a CFP National Championship Game record.
  • TCU PUNT – Horned Frogs pick up 11 on 3rd and 17 but are forced to punt. Kearis Jackson calls for fair catch at the UGA 8 where the offense will take over.

First Quarter

  • END 1Q – Georgia leads TCU 17-7 after one. Horned Frogs have the ball at their 42 facing 3rd and 17 when play resumes.
  • TCU out to near midfield before Max Duggan is sacked by Mykel Williams. Second sack in two games for the freshman.
  • UGA TOUCHDOWN – Stetson Bennett and Ladd McConkey connect three times in four plays. Final one is a 37-yard scoring strike. PAT is good. (UGA 17-7 2:43 1Q)
  • With that completion to McConkey, Stetson Bennett tops the single season passing yard record previously held by Aaron Murray.
  • Ladd McConkey picks up 11 on the first play of the drive with a nice catch and run. Kenny McIntosh follows it up with 11 as well. Just like that, Georgia is back in TCU territory.
  • Kearis Jackson returns the kickoff to the UGA 30 after fielding it at the 3. 27 yard return for the veteran wide receiver.
  • TCU TOUCHDOWN – Max Duggan takes it in himself as TCU responds. PAT is good. (UGA 10-7 4:45 1Q)
  • Warren Brinson being attended to by trainers on the field after a 5-yard TCU gain. TV timeout with TCU facing 2nd and 5 from the UGA 6.
  • Big gain by TCU as Derius Davis was WIDE open. Horned Frogs at the UGA 11.
  • UGA FIELD GOAL – Georgia gets it inside the TCU 10 but is forced to settle for a field goal. Jack Podlesny makes from 24 yards out. (UGA 10-0 6:51 1Q)
  • TCU FUMBLE / UGA RECOVERY – Derius Davis fumble recovered by Javon Bullard, making up quickly for the holding called on him. Credit Christopher Smith with the forced fumble. UGA takes over at the TCU 33.
  • Max Duggan keeps and is swallowed by up Smael Mondon for a loss of 6 yards. TCU picks up 2 before a pass breakup on third down by Kelee Ringo. However, Georgia is called for holding and gives up an automatic first down.
  • UGA TOUCHDOWN – Stetson Bennett keeps it from 21 yards out for the game’s first score. Nice blocking from AD Mitchell on the edge. Podlesny PAT is good. (UGA 7-0 11:01 1Q)
  • Georgia called for a pair of penalties so far: a false start before the first snap – just like TCU – and an illegal shift after getting into TCU territory.
  • Darnell Washington in on Georgia’s first snap. Amarius Mims starter at right tackle in place of Warren McClendon. Banged up Ladd McConkey out there as well.
  • TCU PUNT – Jack Podlesny kick sails for a touchback to get things started. TCU called for a false start before it can even take first snap. Then, the Horned Frogs go three-and-out. Kearis Jackson calls for fair catch at the UGA 43.
  • Georgia wins the toss and will defer. Dawgs to begin on defense with TCU going left to right on your screen.

Pregame

  • Was down on the field for part of warm ups. Darnell Washington is dressed out and appears as if he’s going to try to play. Washington was not announced as a starter on offense like usual though.
  • Several early enrollees here, as was the case last week: AJ Harris, Raylen Wilson, Lawson Luckie, Tyler Williams, Yazeed Haynes, Jamaal Jarrett, Anthony Evans
  • From future Dawgs to former Dawgs, also saw Nakobe Dean, Matthew Stafford and Sony Michel while down there

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