Kirby Smart explains his reason for playing Stetson Bennett and JT Daniels

“We thought Stetson had trained really well and he and JT rode all week,” Smart said of his decision. “We told them, I guess it was Thursday or Friday, we called them up and said, ‘Hey look, you two are going to play. We think JT is healthy enough to go, but we’re going to play you, Stetson.

The move was no different from what Smart did a week ago, when Bennett played the first two records for Georgia and then rookie Carson Beck in a red shirt entered the game on the third record of the game. .

It sounded like the plan for Georgia. Two series for Daniels, one for Bennett.

But while last week Bennett threw a touchdown pass on his first attempt, the senior quarterback instead threw the ball to the other team on his first pass of that game.

Jaylan Foster intercepted a pass that was intended for freshman Brock Bowers. After the return, the Gamecocks had the ball on Georgia’s 12-yard line.

“It’s an unfortunate deal,” Smart said. “Brock’s course was a little shallow and he probably shouldn’t have started it there. He threw it a little high, he sailed over him, and he was picked up. Unfortunately for Stetson, but he’s had a good week of training.

The Georgian defense held South Carolina to a field goal making it 14-6.

Bennett did not see the land again until garbage time, with Georgia quickly returning to Daniels. The ensuing practice led to a punt, but Daniels and the Georgia offense managed to set up the South Carolina defense for most of the night.

A week after missing the UAB game – in which Bennett tied a school record by throwing 5 touchdown passes – Daniels stepped in directly for 303 yards and 3 touchdowns. He threw an interception at Foster as well, but that happened in the third quarter with Georgia ahead 40-6.

“They aren’t paying me to make this decision so I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about it,” Daniels said when asked about the move.

Bennett came on in the fourth quarter with the game in hand. He finished the night 1 on 3 with just 4 yards. Beck didn’t take a slap for the Bulldogs, indicating that Bennett could now have the role of No.2 quarterback.

As Bennett did a week ago, Daniels was able to connect with Georgia wide receivers at all levels of the field. He looked like a very different quarterback than the one who played against Clemson.

Daniels’ first two touchdowns were passes over 35 yards. Unlike the Texas or Miami football programs, Daniels actually seemed to be back to his usual level.

“I’ve said it from the start, and I continue to say it and stand by it, I have a lot of confidence in our quarterbacks – a lot of confidence in our quarterbacks,” said Smart. “I can’t say I’ve ever trusted three or four guys as much as I’ve ever had. Stetson deserved that right and it just didn’t work.

As the Bulldogs deepen their SEC roster, it’s good to know Georgia have two capable quarterbacks to lead Georgia’s offense. Saturday’s game made it clear that Daniels will be that guy in the future, health permitting.

Kirby Smart explains his decision to insert Stetson Bennett

More Georgia Football Stories From All Over DawgNation