ATLANTA — No. 1 Georgia stared in the face of defeat for much of the 2022 Peach Bowl before rebounding late for a stunning 42-41 win over No. 4 Ohio State in the college football playoff semifinals. The win sends the defending champions Bulldogs to the CFP National Championship where they take on the No. 3 TCU team on Monday, January 9 in Inglewood, Calif.
Ohio State kicker Noah Ruggles missed a 50-yard field goal attempt with 3 seconds left to seal the result after the Buckeyes got in position for a potential in the last minute after a heroic starting shot from Georgia attempted to win a game.
The Buckeyes led 38-24 early in the fourth quarter and had a chance to reclaim a two-ball possession lead with less than 4 minutes left when the Bulldogs defense emerged with a huge stand that forced Ohio State to back down to settle for a field goal that made it 41-35 with 2:43 left.
From there, Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett IV led a drive for the ages to keep the Dawgs undefeated. Bennett hit Adonai Mitchell for a 10-yard touchdown with 54 seconds left to give Georgia its first lead since the second quarter.
Ohio State had two timeouts left and enough time to get within field goal range. It did just that, despite navigating the fourth quarter without leading wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., who was eliminated late in the third quarter after a big hit in the end zone.
The Buckeyes scored more goals against the Dawgs than any other team this season, but ultimately came up short in a brave attempt to redeem themselves after an embarrassing loss to Michigan to close out the regular season.
The Postman delivers
Stroud outplayed Bennett for most of the night and was absolutely spectacular for the Buckeyes with both his arms and legs. But when it came down to it, Bennett found another fairytale moment for his fairytale career. The former walk-on, who famously made a detour through junior college before returning for a second stint with the Bulldogs, delivered the biggest fourth-quarter comeback in CFP history.
The Bulldogs surpassed Ohio State 18-3 in the final 15 minutes as Bennett completed 10 of 12 passes in frame. He found Arian Smith wide open for a 76-yard touchdown to put it at 38-35 midway through the quarter and then completed 5 of 5 passes on the starting shot that ended with his smack into Mitchell. Bennett finished 23 of 34 for 398 yards with three touchdowns, an interception and a rushing touchdown while earning the game’s MVP award.
Huge grandstands when it mattered
Georgia started with the nation’s No. 2 defense and allowed just 12.8 points per game — yet the Buckeyes scored 28 points in the first half alone. However, when the chips were down, Georgia came up with some key stops. Oddly, a timeout by Georgia coach Kirby Smart with 8:58 remaining may have helped save the game for the Dawgs.
Facing a fourth and a 1 at their own 34-yard line, the Buckeyes lined up to punt before executing a successful fake. As the game progressed, however, it became clear that Smart had timed out just before the snap. Georgia staff had spotted the fake just in time, and the Buckeyes actually chose to punt after the time-out.
Bennett’s 76-yard shot at Smith followed on the first play of UGA’s next drive. On Ohio State’s next possession, the Buckeyes hit a second and a five at the Georgia 18-yard line and moved the football well with a chance for a 45-35 lead. The Bulldogs increased the pressure and fired Stroud for a 12 loss. Ohio State finally settled on a field goal that left the door open for Bennett and the Georgia offense.
Serious injuries for both teams
Ohio State tight end Cade Stover walked out of the game and was taken to a local hospital for back spasms after counting a catch for 7 yards. The senior put in 35 receptions for 399 yards and five touchdowns. Towards the end of the third quarter, Harrison Jr. suffered a big hit in the back of the end zone and required onfield medical attention. He did not return after amassing five catches for 106 yards and two touchdowns. His absence hampered the Buckeyes as Stroud attempted to position his team for a crucial score in the last minute.
Although Georgia brought Mitchell back for the game after missing much of the season through injury, the Bulldogs quickly lost another top goal when Darnell Washington retired in the first half and did not return. The hulking junior tight end made a catch for 9 yards before leaving. His status will be huge for the College Playoff National Championship, as will the status of wide receiver Ladd McConkey, who played while apparently limping with a knee injury.