The 2022 Georgia Bulldogs football team represented the University of Georgia in the 2022 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) season. The Bulldogs competed as a member of the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and played their home games at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia.
Season overview
- Head coach: Kirby Smart (sixth year)
- Overall record: 15 wins, 0 losses
- SEC record: 8 wins, 0 losses (Eastern Division champion)
- Conference championship: Defeated LSU 50–30 to win the SEC Championship Game on December 3, 2022.
- College Football Playoff:
- Peach Bowl (CFP semifinal): Defeated Ohio State 42–41 on December 31, 2022.
- National Championship Game: Defeated TCU 65–7 on January 9, 2023, securing the program’s second national title (the first being the 1980 season).
Rankings
Georgia entered the final College Football Playoff rankings as the No. 1 team and finished the season ranked No. 1 in both the Associated Press (AP) Poll and the Coaches Poll.
Key players
- Stetson Bennett III – Quarterback; led the offense and was named the offensive MVP of the national championship game.
- Javonte Williams – Running back; contributed a major portion of the rushing attack before a season‑ending injury.
- Brock Bowers – Tight end; recognized as a consensus All‑American.
- Nakobe Dean – Linebacker; awarded the Butkus Award (nation’s top linebacker) for the 2022 season.
- Jordan Davis – Defensive tackle; earned consensus All‑American honors.
Accolades
- The Bulldogs were the unanimous winners of major national awards for team performance, including the SEC Championship and the College Football Playoff National Championship.
- Several individual players received national recognition: Nakobe Dean (Butkus Award), Brock Bowers (John Mackey Award finalist), and multiple members were named first‑team All‑SEC and first‑team All‑America by various selectors.
Statistical highlights
- Georgia led the nation in scoring defense, allowing an average of 13.2 points per game.
- The offense averaged 48.3 points per game, ranking among the top scoring teams in the FBS.
- The team recorded five shutout victories during the season (including the national championship game).
Historical significance
The 2022 season marked the first undefeated, untied championship run for Georgia since the 1980 national championship season. The decisive 65–7 victory over TCU in the championship game set a record for the largest margin of victory in a College Football Playoff National Championship.
Season schedule (selected)
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 3 | vs. Charleston State | W 45–7 |
| Sep 10 | at South Carolina | W 45–20 |
| Sep 17 | vs. Kentucky | W 45–20 |
| Sep 24 | vs. Auburn | W 26–14 |
| Oct 1 | at Tennessee | W 20–13 |
| Oct 15 | vs. Florida | W 42–20 |
| Oct 22 | at Ole Miss | W 49–31 |
| Oct 29 | vs. Vanderbilt | W 58–6 |
| Nov 5 | at Missouri | W 31–28 |
| Nov 12 | vs. Clemson | W 27–13 |
| Nov 19 | vs. Georgia Tech | W 27–10 |
| Dec 3 | SEC Championship vs. LSU | W 50–30 |
| Dec 31 | Peach Bowl (CFP semifinal) vs. Ohio State | W 42–41 |
| Jan 9 | National Championship vs. TCU | W 65–7 |
Coaching staff (selected)
- Offensive coordinator: Todd Monken (1st year)
- Defensive coordinator: Glenn Schumann (co‑defensive coordinator) and Will Muschamp (co‑defensive coordinator)
The 2022 Georgia Bulldogs football team is historically noted for its undefeated record, dominant defensive performance, and commanding victory in the College Football Playoff National Championship.
