2023 CFP National Championship Recap
Score by Quarters
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #3 TCU (13-2) | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| #1 Georgia (15-0) | 17 | 21 | 14 | 13 | 65 |
Player of the Game
Player of the Game
Unlike the 2022 national championship game where the Bulldogs needed to rally to secure the title, Georgia scored on its first six possessions of the contest vs. TCU and entered the locker room with a 31-point halftime lead off 371 yards and averaging 9.3 yards per play. UGA finished with 589 total yards and limited TCU to 188 yards, an average of 3.7 per play. The Bulldogs' 65 points were the most ever in a CFP or BCS title game.
Senior quarterback Stetson Bennett, a former walk-on, threw for 304 yards and four touchdowns, while also pitching in another two rushing scores. Bennett, whose six total touchdowns tied LSU’s Joe Burrow (2020) for the CFP National Championship record, was voted the Offensive Player of the Game for the second straight year.
Overall, Georgia’s offense posted five rushing touchdowns, including the pair by Bennett and another two from Branson Robinson. Ladd McConkey also pulled down two touchdown receptions on the night, while Brock Bowers grabbed seven passes for 152 yards and a TD.
Sophomore DB Javon Bullard was named Defensive Player of the Game after picking off a pair of TCU passes and recovering a Horned Frog fumble, all in the first half. Overall, the Bulldog defense finished the night with five sacks and nine tackles for loss, including a pair by Bear Alexander. Smael Mondon Jr. led Georgia with five tackles, including four solo stops.
Georgia is the first team in the College Football Playoff era to win back-to-back national championships. The victory marked the Bulldogs' 17th in a row to tie the program record, originally set from 1945-47. UGA completed the 2022-23 campaign with a perfect 15-0 record, joining the 2018-19 Clemson Tigers and 2019-20 LSU Tigers as the third team in the CFP era to accomplish the feat. Georgia’s win also marked the third time in the last four seasons (LSU, 2019-20; Alabama, 2020-21) that the top-ranked team went on to win the national title.
Scoring Summary
| Qtr | Time | Score (V-H) | Team | Scoring Play | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 11:01 | 0-7 | Georgia | Stetson Bennett 21 yd rush (Jack Podlesny kick) | 5-57 (02:58) |
| 1st | 06:51 | 0-10 | Georgia | Jack Podlesny 24 yd field goal | 6-27 (02:39) |
| 1st | 04:45 | 7-10 | TCU | Max Duggan 2 yd rush (Griffin Kell kick) | 5-75 (02:06) |
| 1st | 02:43 | 7-17 | Georgia | Ladd McConkey 37 yd pass from Stetson Bennett (Jack Podlesny kick) | 4-70 (01:56) |
| 2nd | 08:30 | 7-24 | Georgia | Stetson Bennett 6 yd rush (Jack Podlesny kick) | 11-92 (05:43) |
| 2nd | 01:19 | 7-31 | Georgia | Kendall Milton 1 yd rush (Jack Podlesny kick) | 11-66 (05:15) |
| 2nd | 00:26 | 7-38 | Georgia | Adonai Mitchell 22 yd pass from Stetson Bennett (Jack Podlesny kick) | 2-22 (00:10) |
| 3rd | 10:52 | 7-45 | Georgia | Brock Bowers 22 yd pass from Stetson Bennett (Jack Podlesny kick) | 4-55 (01:22) |
| 3rd | 02:17 | 7-52 | Georgia | Ladd McConkey 14 yd pass from Stetson Bennett (Jack Podlesny kick) | 9-84 (05:17) |
| 4th | 09:24 | 7-59 | Georgia | Branson Robinson 1 yd rush (Jack Podlesny kick) | 9-54 (04:49) |
| 4th | 07:23 | 7-65 | Georgia | Branson Robinson 19 yd rush (Jack Podlesny kick missed) | 1-19 (00:07) |
Team Statistics
| TCU | UGA | |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 9 | 32 |
| Rushing | 4 | 15 |
| Passing | 4 | 16 |
| Penalty | 1 | 1 |
| Rushes-Yards | 28-36 | 44-254 |
| Passing Yards | 152 | 335 |
| Passes Comp-Att-Int | 14-23-2 | 20-28-0 |
| Total Offense (Plays-Yards) | 51-188 | 72-589 |
| Punt Returns-Yards | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Kickoff Returns-Yards | 6-135 | 1-27 |
| Punts (Number-Avg) | 5-37.0 | 1-48.0 |
| Fumbles-Lost | 1-1 | 0-0 |
| Sacks By (Number-Yards) | 0-0 | 5-38 |
| Penalties-Yards | 5-50 | 4-30 |
| 3rd Down Conversions | 2-of-11 | 9-of-13 |
| 4th Down Conversions | 0-of-2 | 1-of-1 |
Individual Statistics
| TCU | UGA | |
|---|---|---|
| Rushing | Emari Demercado, 14-59; Emani Baiiey, 2-9; Chandier Morris, 1-4; Derius Davis, 1-2; Max Duggan, 10- -38, 1 TD. | Kenny McIntosh, 8-50; Branson Robinson, 7-42, 2 TD; Stetson Bennett, 3-39, 2 TD; Sevaughn Clark, 5-35; Kendall Milton, 10-33, 1 TD; Daijun Edwards, 5-30; Brock Bowers, 2-15; Ladd McConkey, 1-14. |
| Passing | Max Duggan, 14-22-2, 152; Chandler Morris, 0-1-0, 0. | Stetson Bennett, 18-25-0, 304, 4 TD; Carson Beck, 2-3-0, 31. |
| Receiving | Derius Davis, 5-101; Jared Wiiey, 2-14; Biair Conwright, 1-15; Geor'quarius Spivey, 1-10; Taye Barber, 1-8; Quentin Johnston, 1-3; Emani Baiiey, 1-2; Corey Wren, 1-1; Emari Demercado, 1- -2. | Brock Bowers, 7-152, 1 TD; Ladd McConkey, 5-88, 2 TD; Daijun Edwards, 2-12; Darnell Washington, 1-28; Adonai Mitchell, 1-22, 1 TD; Kearis Jackson, 1-20; Dillon Bell, 1-11; Arian Smith, 1-3; Kenny McIntosh, 1- -1. |
| Punting | Jordy Sandy, 5-185, 37.0. | Brett Thorson, 1-48, 48.0. |
| Returns | Punt: None; Kickoff: Derius Davis, 6-135; Intercept: None. | Punt: None; Kickoff: Kearis Jackson, 1-27; Intercept: Javon Bullard, 2-3. |
| Field Goals | None. | Jack Podlesny, 1-1 (24 Good). |
| Tackles (Solo-Assist-Total, Sacks-Yds, TFL-Yds) |
Jamoi Hodge (6-1-7, 0, 0); Millard Bradford (4-3-7, 0, 0); Dee Winters (4-3-7, 0, 0); Johnny Hodges (5-1-6, 0, 1.0-1); Mark Perry (3-3-6, 0, 0); Bud Clark (3-2-5, 0, 0); Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson (2-3-5, 0, 0); Dylan Horton (2-2-4, 0, 1.0-1); Abe Camara (2-2-4, 0, 0); Terrell Cooper (1-3-4, 0, 0); Caleb Fox (1-1-2, 0, 0); Josh Foster (1-0-1, 0, 0); Quentin Johnston (1-0-1, 0, 0); Tymon Mitchell (1-0-1, 0, 0); Derius Davis (1-0-1, 0, 0); George Ellis (1-0-1, 0, 0); Soni Misi (1-0-1, 0, 0); Kee'yon Stewart (1-0-1, 0); Josh Newton (0-1-1, 0, 0); Namdi Obiazor (0-1-1, 0, 0). | Smael Mondon Jr. (4-1-5, 0, 0.5-3); Jamon Dumas-Johnson (2-2-4, 0, 0); Christopher Smith (3-0-3, 0, 0); Kamari Lassiter (3-0-3, 0, 1.0-2); Robert Beal Jr. (3-0-3, 1.0-1, 1.0-1); Mykel Williams (2-0-2, 1.0-8, 1.0-8); Chaz Chambliss (2-0-2, 0, 0); Bear Alexander (2-0-2, 1.0-10, 2.0-13); Jalen Carter (2-0-2, 0, 0); Nazir Stackhouse (1-1-2, 0, 0.5-3); David Daniel-Sisavanh (1-1-2, 0, 0); Warren Brinson (1-0-1, 0, 0); MJ Sherman (1-0-1, 0, 0); Malaki Starks (1-0-1, 0, 0); Darris Smith (1-0-1, 0, 0); Javon Bullard (1-0-1, 0, 0); Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint (1-0-1, 0, 0); Jack Podlesny (1-0-1, 0, 0); Trezmen Marshall (1-0-1, 0, 1.0-2); Tykee Smith (1-0-1, 1.0-9, 1.0-9); Jalon Walker (1-0-1, 1.0-10, 1.0-10); Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (1-0-1, 0, 0); Nyland Green (1-0-1, 0, 0); Tramel Walthour (0-1-1, 0, 0); Kelee Ringo (0-1-1, 0, 0); JaCorey Thomas (0-1-1, 0, 0). |
Starters & Reserves
Tcu Starters
| Pos. | No. | Offense |
|---|---|---|
| WR | 1 | Quentin Johnston |
| WR | 11 | Derius Davis |
| QB | 15 | Max Duggan |
| WR | 18 | Savion Williams |
| TE | 19 | Jared Wiley |
| RB | 3 | Emari Demercado |
| OL | 56 | Alan Ali |
| OL | 74 | Andrew Coker |
| OL | 77 | Brandon Coleman |
| OL | 78 | Wes Harris |
| OL | 79 | Steve Avila |
| Pos. | No. | Defense |
|---|---|---|
| CB | 1 | Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson |
| LB | 13 | Dee Winters |
| CB | 24 | Josh Newton |
| S | 26 | Bud Clark |
| S | 28 | Millard Bradford |
| S | 3 | Mark Perry |
| DL | 52 | Damonic Williams |
| LB | 57 | Johnny Hodges |
| LB | 6 | Jamoi Hodge |
| DL | 95 | Terrell Cooper |
| DL | 98 | Dylan Horton |
Tcu Reserves
0 - Blair Conwright, 12 - Geor’quarius Spivey, 14 - Abe Camara, 15 - Josh Foster, 17 - Deshawn McCuin, 17 - Trent Battle, 19 - Shadrach Banks, 2 - Kee'yon Stewart, 2 - Chandler Morris, 21 - Corey Wren, 27 - Jaionte McMillan, 27 - Gunnar Henderson, 31 - Jordy Sandy, 34 - Zach Marcheselli, 39 - Griffin Kell, 4 - Namdi Obiazor, 4 - Taye Barber, 42 - Brent Matiscik, 47 - Carter Ware, 53 - John Lanz, 55 - Robby Rochester, 58 - Altrique Barlow, 6 - Chase Jackson, 66 - Noah Bolticoff, 7 - Jordan Hudson, 71 - Marcus Williams, 75 - Brannon Brown, 76 - Garrett Hayes, 80 - D'Andre Rogers, 81 - Chase Curtis, 82 - Alex Honig, 86 - Curtis Raymond III, 9 - Emani Bailey, 90 - Caleb Fox, 91 -Tymon Mitchell, 93 - George Ellis, 96 - Lwal Uguak, 99 - Soni Misi, 99 - Luke Laminack.
Georgia Starters
| Pos. | No. | Offense |
|---|---|---|
| TE | 0 | Darnell Washington |
| WR | 1 | Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint |
| QB | 13 | Stetson Bennett |
| TE | 19 | Brock Bowers |
| OL | 59 | Broderick Jones |
| RB | 6 | Kenny McIntosh |
| OL | 63 | Sedrick Van Pran |
| OL | 65 | Amarius Mims |
| OL | 69 | Tate Ratledge |
| OL | 73 | Xavier Truss |
| WR | 84 | Ladd McConkey |
| Pos. | No. | Defense |
|---|---|---|
| LB | 10 | Jamon Dumas-Johnson |
| LB | 2 | Smael Mondon Jr. |
| DB | 22 | Javon Bullard |
| DB | 24 | Malaki Starks |
| DB | 29 | Christopher Smith |
| DB | 3 | Kamari Lassiter |
| LB | 33 | Robert Beal Jr. |
| DB | 5 | Kelee Ringo |
| DL | 78 | Nazir Stackhouse |
| DL | 88 | Jalen Carter |
| DL | 90 | Tramel Walthour |
Georgia Reserves
0 - Rian Davis, 1 - Nyland Green, 10 - Kearis Jackson, 11 - Jalon Walker, 11 - Arian Smith, 13 - Mykel Williams, 14 - David Daniel-Sisavanh, 15 - Trezmen Marshall, 15 - Carson Beck, 19 - Darris Smith, 2 - Kendall Milton, 20 - JaCorey Thomas, 20 - Sevaughn Clark, 22 - Branson Robinson, 23 - Tykee Smith, 23 - De'Nylon Morrissette, 30 - Daijun Edwards, 31 - Grant Briscoe, 32 - Chaz Chambliss, 4 - Oscar Delp, 43 - Davis Day, 44 - Cade Brock, 47 - Payne Walker, 5 - Adonai Mitchell, 50 - Warren Ericson, 53 - Dylan Fairchild, 55 - Jared Wilson, 56 - William Mote, 56 - Micah Morris, 58 - Austin Blaske, 6 - Daylen Everette, 68 - Chris Brown, 7 - Marvin Jones Jr., 70 - Devin McClendon, 77 - Devin Willock, 8 - MJ Sherman, 8 - Dominick Blaylock, 80 - Brett Seither, 86 - Dillon Bell, 87 - Mekhi Mews, 88 - Ryland Goede, 9 - Jaheim Singletary, 9 - Jackson Meeks, 92 - Brett Thorson, 93 - Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, 94 - Jonathan Jefferson, 96 - Jack Podlesny, 97 - Warren Brinson, 99 - Jared Zirkel, 99 - Bear Alexander.
