The reigning Georgia Bulldogs and TCU Horned Frogs faced off in the College Football Playoff National Championship Monday, Jan. 9, 2023. 

Georgia won the toss and deferred to the second half, meaning the Horned Frogs would receive the first kick of the championship game. 

The Frogs got off to a slow start in the first quarter. An early false start put them behind the chains fast. Georgia ultimately forced a three and out on TCU’s first drive, bringing out the dominant Bulldog offense. 

Georgia came out barreling. Bulldog quarterback Stetson Bennett completed a few passes to get his offense into the red zone. On their first drive, Bennett rushed a 21 yard touchdown with still 11:01 remaining in the first quarter. 

The Georgia defense remained aggressive. TCU quarterback Max Duggan completed a pass to senior Derius Davis. Davis fumbled upon contact, and the Dawgs recovered the fumble.

Georgia entered the red zone once again after a long pass completion to sophomore Brock Bowers. The TCU defense managed to force a field goal attempt, making the score 10-0 early in the game.

The Frogs caught a break going into their next drive when the Georgia defense lost track of Davis. Duggan completed a pass to Davis, who was wide open down field, for 60 TCU yards. 

This field position gave way for a quarterback keeper of their own, Duggan rushed a two yard touchdown with 4:45 remaining in the first. 

The Bulldogs answered, however, and took control of the game completely. 

Bennett completed a 37 yard touchdown pass to a wide open sophomore Ladd McConkey, furthering the Dawgs lead to 17-7 with 2:43 at the end of the first quarter. 

Going into the second quarter, Georgia continued moving the ball well offensively, led by Bennett. With 8:30 remaining in the second quarter, Bennett ran in his second touchdown for six yards, making the score 24-7. 

TCU stayed on their rocky path offensively, playing very timidly. In an attempt to complete a pass downfield to an open Quentin Johnston, Duggan overthrew, resulting in an interception to Georgia’s Javon Bullard with 6:40 left in the half.

The Georgia offense consistently overpowered TCU’s defense, converting first down after first down.

Junior running back for the Bulldogs, Kendall Milton rushed for a one yard touchdown with 1:19 remaining in the half, making the score 31-7. 

In the final minute of the half, the Georgia defense dropped Duggan for a loss. Duggan then threw his second interception, received again by Bullard. 

With 26 seconds left in the second quarter, Bennett completed a long pass to sophomore Adonai Mitchell, who wrestled the ball down for a touchdown, making the score 38-7 at the end of the half. 

In the second half, the Georgia offense and defense ran circles around TCU. The Horned Frogs were unable to come up with any momentum at all. 

Georgia scratched off two more touchdowns in the third quarter. One being a 22 yard receiving touchdown for Bowers with 10:52 remaining, and the other a 14 yard receiving touchdown to McConkey with 2:17 left in the quarter. 

In the fourth, Georgia took out their starters and let their second strings go to work.

Backup running back Branson Robinson rushed for two touchdowns in the fourth quarter. His first being just one yard, and the second being 19 yards. 

The commanding Georgia offense put up 17 points in the first quarter, 21 in the second, 24 in the third and 13 in the fourth. TCU only scratched off seven in the first.  

The Bulldogs ultimately took the win 65-7 over TCU, claiming the championship back-to-back years, a rare feat to accomplish in college football. 

Defensive player of the game was awarded to Javon Bullard, with two interceptions.
Quarterback Stetson Bennett claimed the offensive player of the game. Bennett finished with 18/25 completions, and he threw for 304 yards. Of his 18 completions, four of them were touchdowns. Bennett also rushed for 39 yards and two touchdowns of his own. 

Though they will lose some impact players after this season, recruitment for Georgia proved strong this year, and they still have young players coming up in their existing roster. 

Georgia stands to be a powerhouse rising in college football, and they’re looking for a third straight national championship in the season to come.