In 1972 (before many of you were born), Miami Dolphins starting QB Bob Griese broke his leg while playing against the San Diego Chargers in the fifth game of the season. His backup Earl Morrall came off the bench and completed 8 of 10 passes, throwing for 2 touchdowns as well. Over the next ten weeks, Morrall proceeded to complete 83 of 150 passes for 1,360 yards and 11 touchdowns, continuing the Dolphins winning streak while Griese’s leg healed. Morrall led the Dolphins to nine more regular season wins and victory in the AFC semi-final game before Griese returned for the AFC Championship and then the Super Bowl.
Morrall had a reputation as a clutch player. Two years earlier, he had come off the bench in relief of injured Johnny Unitas and led the Colts to victory in Super Bowl V, but he wasn’t a guy who was going to light up the scoreboard, even though he could throw the ball to Hall of Fame wide receiver Paul Warfield or tight end Jim Mandich, who averaged one touchdown for every fifth catch that season. Miami had an awesome running attack led by Larry Csonka, Jim Kiick, and Eugene “Mercury” Morris. They just didn’t need to throw the ball very often.
Their defense became known as the “No-Name” defense, anchored by NFL Hall of Fame defensive lineman Bill Stanfill and Super Bowl MVP safety Jake Scott, both outstanding former Georgia Bulldogs. The No-Name defense earned its moniker from Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry because their high-powered offense received so much more publicity.
In a fourteen game regular season, Miami never gave up more than 24 points while pitching three shutouts. Washington’s only touchdown in Super Bowl VII was actually scored against Miami’s special teams unit, when an ill-advised pass by placekicker Garo Yepremian after a blocked field goal attempt was intercepted and run back for a touchdown.
Miami remains the only team in NFL history to run the table with a perfect season, and that season couldn’t have happened without the steady, calming influence of Earl Morrall, who stepped in when the young superstar broke his leg and led the team to victory after victory, until they reached the conference championship game. Then Morrall watched from the sidelines as Griese led the team to victory in the Super Bowl and completed the undefeated season, a feat that remains unduplicated almost fifty years later.
Earl Morrall was never going to be the star of the Miami Dolphins. He became the glue that held the team together until their star recovered from his injury. Stetson Bennett is never going to be the star of the Georgia Bulldogs. He’s the glue holding the team together while J. T. Daniels gets better. If Georgia is going to mimic Miami and run the table to their first national championship in 42 years, Stetson Bennett will have to play the part of Earl Morrall and win some big games for the team.
So far, so good. Through four games (starting two), Bennett is 29 for 41 for 515 yards passing with 6 touchdowns. Not too shabby for the backup guy.
In fact, Stetson Bennett has never really had a bad game as the (backup) starting QB for Georgia. He threw the ball well against Alabama, but we were playing at Alabama, and the defense sort of fell apart in the second half. We even led at halftime. Against Florida, we were leading by two touchdowns when he separated his shoulder and was lost for the rest of the season. He’s thrown a few bad passes, but never really had a bad game. Against Arkansas last year he really saved our bacon, pun intended. He managed the games he started very well, winning them with his right arm, his legs, and his sharp football intellect. Against Arkansas this year he didn’t throw as often, but his accuracy was precision. When Bennett has needed to pass the ball for 200 yards, he does. When he needs to run for a first down, he does. And when he needs to hand the ball off 60 times he does that.
Does it very well, too.
Stetson Bennett is Georgia’s version of Earl Morrall, except he’s a lot faster. He may not be the flashiest guy on the team, but he is an indispensable piece of a championship puzzle. He’s proved that he can throw the ball downfield and move the chains against anybody and everybody.
Bennett only threw for 71 yards against Arkansas last week, but he was literally jumping for joy as our running backs pounded their defense for almost 300 yards rushing and 3 touchdowns because he loves to win more than he loves throwing the football, and he loves to throw the football. There’s only one thing more I can say about the young man that hasn’t been said already — he’s a Damned Good Dawg. One of the best in terms of being a team leader. And yet he’s the backup quarterback.
If Georgia is going to win a ring in 2021, the Mailman will continue to deliver on Saturdays until Daniels is ready to return. Then Bennett will step over to the sidelines, to watch and wait until he’s needed one more time.
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