When asked the inevitable question of why he chose to start Stetson Bennett at his postgame press conference, Kirby Smart said something that strikes at the core of why he made the right choice.
"I am really proud of the way that Stetson has handled himself. No one has been better to the University of Georgia than Stetson Bennett."
Bennett rewarded his head coach’s decision by going out and having a half for the ages. He completed 8-of-9 passes for 269 yards and 5 touchdown passes. The 5 touchdown passes tied a program-record, putting him in the Georgia record book alongside David Greene, DJ Shockley, Matthew Stafford, Joe Cox, and Aaron Murray (who threw for 5 TDs in a game twice).
Of that distinguished list, Murray and Bennett are the only ones to accomplish the feat in a single half, both hitting that mark in the first half of their record-setting games.
Giving Bennett’s achievement a little extra pizazz is the explosive nature of his touchdown passes. Three of the five strikes covered 60 yards or more, something only two other FBS players in the last 15 years can say.
Stetson Bennett is the 3rd FBS player over the last 15 years to record 3 pass TD of 60+ yards in a single half, joining Patrick Mahomes in 2016 and Casey Pachall in 2011.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 11, 2021
Stetson Bennett has 5 pass TD today, tied for the most in a game in Georgia history. pic.twitter.com/I2hIhbUE78
Given his well-known nickname, the appropriate helmet sticker for Stetson Bennett seems pretty obvious. Slap that “Mailman” sticker on the helmet 13, Georgia fans appreciate you delivering!