Georgia Triumphs Over Ohio State in Clutch Moment to Reach CFP Final
With six points trailing Ohio State in the final quarter, Georgia managed to swipe a 72-yard touchdown pass attempt from Stetson Bennett with 54 seconds left on the clock, securing a 24-21 win.
The Buckeyes scampered to field goal territory in the remaining time, setting up a 50-yard pass for kicker Noah Ruggles. However, Ruggles missed the kick to the left, giving Georgia the edge.
This remarkable comeback by Georgia marks the first time a team in the College Football Playoffs has overcome a 14-point deficit in the final quarter of a game.
The drama unfolded earlier on Saturday, as the underdog TCU Horned Frogs earned a thrilling 51-45 victory over third-ranked Michigan Wolverines. The Horned Frogs, who started the season outside the top 25, set a new record for the highest score in the Fiesta Bowl by defeating a previously unbeaten Michigan team with a nearly two-touchdown lead.
Heisman Trophy runner-up Max Duggan threw for 225 yards and four touchdowns in Fiesta Bowl action at Glendale, Arizona, while Running Back Emari Demerja racked up 150 yards on the ground.
The Bulldogs and Horned Frogs will face off in the Championship game on Monday, January 9, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
TCU aims to take home their first national title since 1938 and secure the first Big-12 team to win since 2005, while Georgia aims to become the first team to win consecutive titles since Alabama in 2011 and 2012. The team to secure the title will also become the first to successfully defend their title since the start of the College Football Playoff era.
Georgia will be under pressure to defend against potential pass attempts from TCU in the Championship game, given Max Duggan's impressive performance in their previous game, where he threw for 225 yards and scored four touchdowns.
In the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship, Georgia's defense, under the guidance of Glenn Schumann, demonstrated strong play-calling and individual performances to shut down the TCU offense. Glenn Schumann's defensive strategy led the team to a 65-7 victory, highlighting the effectiveness of their passing game defense. Among the standout players, Safety Malaki Starks and DL Mykel Williams were named First Team All-America, while DL Nazir Stackhouse, ILB Smael Mondon, DB Tykee Smith, and DB Kamari Lassiter earned Second Team All-SEC selections in 2023.
With a nationally ranked defense in Scoring Defense (fifth, 15.6 points/game) and 3rd Down Conversion Defense (first, 25.7 percent), Georgia's dominant defensive strategy and talent played a crucial role in their victory. The team's high ranking in Rushing Defense (first, 77.1 yards per game), Scoring Defense (fifth, 14.3 points per game), Red Zone Defense (second, 67.6 percent), and Total Defense (ninth, 296.8 yards per game) emphasizes their defensive prowess.
As Georgia and TCU prepare to face off in the Championship game, the Bulldogs' defense, under the guidance of Glenn Schumann, will be key to stopping potential pass attempts from Max Duggan and the Horned Frogs' offense. Their strong defensive strategy and individual performances will be an important factor in determining the outcome of the game.