Back to Back
The Georgia Bulldogs celebrated a College Football Playoff National Championship victory in 2022 over the Alabama Crimson Tide after more than 40 years of trying to reclaim the title they most recently held in 1980. Led by underdog walk-on quarterback turned Heisman finalist, Stetson Bennett, the team overcame the odds to become back to back National Champions in 2023 after a historic, undefeated season that ended in So-Fi Stadium in Los Angeles with a runaway victory against the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs.
Meanwhile in Athens
While the Bulldogs were dominating the Crimson Tide at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis late into the night on January 10, 2022, thousands of fans descended upon downtown Athens and the University of Georgia campus to celebrate the school’s first National Championship victory in decades.
Students and fans watch the UGA vs. Alabama football game on the scoreboard displays during the CFP National Championship watch party in Stegeman Coliseum in Athens, Ga., on January 10, 2022.
Students and fans jump into the Herty Field fountain on campus in Athens, Ga., to celebrate after UGA’s CFP National Championship win vs Alabama early in the morning of January 11, 2022.
Students and fans gather near the Arch on campus in downtown Athens, Ga., to celebrate after UGA’s CFP National Championship win vs Alabama early in the morning of January 11, 2022.
A Celebration to Remember
The local heros were welcomed back to town with a National Championship parade through Athens ending at Sanford Stadium for a celebration featuring university, athletic conference and state leaders.
Georgia head football coach Kirby Smart and former UGA quarterback D. J. Shockley speak as confetti erupts during the National Championship Celebration in Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga., on January 15, 2022.
Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett greets fans during the Dawg Walk portion of the CFP National Championship Parade celebration outside Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga., on January 15, 2022.
Back to Work
In the fall of 2022, the Bulldogs hit the ground running with newfound energy to prove themselves and continue their unprecedented winning streak from the previous season. Despite some missteps, the team managed to remain victorious against every opponent they faced in the regular season, on the road and at home.
The Sanford Stadium crowd and Dooley Field is reflected in the sunglasses of a fan during the UGA vs. Kent State football game at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga., on September 24, 2022.
Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey (84) runs the ball during the University of Georgia vs Georgia Tech Governor’s Cup football game at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga., on November 26, 2022.
UGA running back Kendall Milton (2) runs the ball for a touchdown during the University of Georgia vs Georgia Tech Governor’s Cup football game at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga., on November 26, 2022.
Overhead view of crowd of Georgia fans with pom poms during the UGA vs. Kent State football game at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga., on September 24, 2022.
Uga X, Que, walks along the sideline during the University of Georgia vs Georgia Tech Governor’s Cup football game at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga., on November 26, 2022.
Post Season
The Georgia Bulldogs faced the LSU Tigers in the SEC Championship for the first game of the post season on December 3, 2022, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The 50-30 Bulldog victory was a stark contrast from the previous season after suffering their only loss of the year to Alabama in the same match up. The win pushed Georgia forward into the College Football Playoff Semi Finals for the Peach Bowl game against The Ohio State University. The Bulldogs struggled to keep up with the Buckeyes for the majority of the contest, narrowly winning 42-41 after a final effort missed field goal attempt by The Ohio State University kicker at the stroke of midnight on December 31, 2022, securing Georgia’s spot in the National Championship at the dawn of the new year.
Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett (13) catches confetti on his tongue after winning the College Football Playoff Semi Final Peach Bowl game against The Ohio State University at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga., on December 31, 2022.
Georgia wide receiver Arian Smith (11) runs the ball for a touchdown during the College Football Playoff Semi Final Peach Bowl game against The Ohio State University at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga., on December 31, 2022.
University of Georgia Georgettes dancers perform during the College Football Playoff Semi Final Peach Bowl game against The Ohio State University at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga., on December 31, 2022.
Georgia players and coaches walk into Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga., during the Dawg Walk before the College Football Playoff Semi Final Peach Bowl game against The Ohio State University on December 31, 2022.
Georgia fans hold up lights at the start of the fourth quarter during the College Football Playoff Semi Final Peach Bowl game against The Ohio State University at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga., on December 31, 2022.
Champions Once More
On January 9, 2023, the Bulldogs made history by winning a second, consecutive National Championship in a runaway 65-7 victory over the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs at So-Fi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
Confetti falls over So-Fi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., after Georgia’s College Football Playoff National Championship victory over TCU on January 9, 2023.
The University of Georgia Redcoat Marching Band performs at halftime during the College Football Playoff National Championship against TCU at So-Fi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., on January 9, 2023.
Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey (84) runs the ball for a touchdown during the College Football Playoff National Championship against TCU at So-Fi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., on January 9, 2023.
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart jumps in celebration after winning the College Football Playoff National Championship against TCU at So-Fi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., on January 9, 2023.
the Aftermath
The historic 2022-2023 season was followed by the crowning of a new live mascot, Uga XI, also known as Boom, four new rings to commemorate the season and its many victories, and updated signage around campus to promote the back to back wins. The consecutive National Championship wins cemented Georgia’s status as a modern powerhouse in athletics, along with establishing head coach Kirby Smart and quarterback Stetson Bennett as program legends.
Live mascots Uga X, Que, and Uga XI, Boom, sit together in their doghouse during a collaring ceremony at the G Day spring football scrimmage at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga., on April 15, 2023.
Georgia wide receiver Kearis Jackson (10) shows off his new SEC championship, Peach Bowl, and National Championship rings during the G Day spring football scrimmage at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga., on April 15, 2023.
James Furfaro of Modern Storefront is silhouetted as he installs the Back to Back National Championship banners on campus transit buses in Athens, Ga., on January 13, 2023.