Georgia QB JT Daniels Stayed Cool In California During Peach Bowl Game Winning Campaign

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Georgian quarterback JT Daniels had the weight of the Georgian football program on his shoulders with 1:28 to play and no time outs left as the Bulldogs lost 21-19.

Daniels, a second-year red-shirted quarterback transfer from USC, remained cool as ever with the game on the line, methodically moving Georgia (8-2) down to establish the winning basket in the win. 24-21 against Cincinnati (9-1).

The Bearcats’ pass defense, ranked No. 2 in the country, proved to be as delicate and difficult to organize as expected.

Cincinnati extended their streak of active games across the country, forcing a turnover (20) with a first quarter interception in the end zone when Daniels and George Pickens crossed paths with their sons.

Cincinnati’s passing rush and pressure were a handful for Georgia’s mixed offensive line.

The Bearcats beat the Bulldogs in the trenches all day, now UGA to just 45 rushing yards on 24 attempts with no more than 12 yards.

By making Georgia one-dimensional, Cincinnati was able to pin its ears and deliver several shots at Daniels, including a forced fumble as he attempted to flee a fierce run onto another empty red zone possession.

And yet, on the final drive, Daniels managed to complete 5 of 7 passes for 44 yards, capping a performance that saw him pass 26 of 38 for 392 yards and a touchdown.

Daniels moved up to 4-0 as the Bulldogs starter with the win, the offense looking invigorated with him under cross.

“At this point, I feel like I’ve been here for years,” Daniels said. “Instantly when I arrived I felt a connection with the team, a connection with the way this program is executed is the way I would put it. We’re all about the ball.

“It’s something you can say about almost the whole team, is that everyone just loves football. We’re here to do our thing and be the best players we can be.

Daniels has hit deep on the Bearcats often, connecting with George Pickens on a 51-yard shot in the first quarter, and finding Arian Smith on a 55-yard bomb, and Kearis Jackson on a 42-yard gain.

But there was also the interception in the end zone, and a fourth and pass that Daniels pulled into Jackson’s arms for what seemed like a first down until Jackson let go.

Daniels, as many now recognize, is his nature, didn’t allow himself to be disturbed and was as happy as anyone after the game.

10 things about JT Daniels, “ he’s like Google ”

“Over the past two and a half months I have really enjoyed the time being with like-minded guys who are all about the job,” Daniels said, “all about the ball, all about the competition . “

Daniels finished the season with 80 of 119 (67.23%) passes for 1,231 yards with 10 touchdowns, 2 interceptions and a 178.49 passer rating.

For perspective, here is the QB rating for 5 other notable quarterbacks at the time of writing:

• Alabama QB Mac Jones, 202.35

• Florida QB Kyle Trask, 180.02

• Justin Fields, Ohio State Quarterback, 174.55

• Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence 172.69

• Oklahoma QB Spencer Rattler 172.56

Daniels has yet to announce his intentions for next season.

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