Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett IV will start for the Bulldogs on Saturday against UAB, according to the starting lineup announced on the Sanford Stadium scoreboard. Junior JT Daniels has been limited in practice this week due to an injury in his midsection and considered day-to-day.
Bennett completed 56% of his passes for 1,179 yards, eight touchdowns and six interceptions in five starts for the Bulldogs in 2020. The senior threw for 200 yards in each of his first four games, but posted just 131 yards against Kentucky and 78 yards against No. 8 Florida before getting benched.
During the week, early reports came out that Daniels could miss the game and speculated that former top-250 recruit Carson Beck could start for the Bulldogs. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound redshirt freshman from Mandarin High School in Jacksonville, Florida, played against Missouri last season but did not attempt a pass. However, head coach Kirby Smart opted to go with Bennett.
The Bulldogs also have five-star true freshman Brock Vandagriff on the roster, though he has been exclusively working with the scout team.
Daniels' injury is the latest in a string of injuries that have plagued the Bulldogs on the offensive side of the ball early this season. Wide receiver Dominick Blaylock missed the 10-3 win over Clemson, and Kearis Jackson was limited to punt returns. Tight end Darnell Washington didn't play last week as he recovers from foot surgery and fellow tight end/wide receiver Arik Gilbert has been out dealing with personal issues.
Daniels is undefeated in five starts with the Bulldogs dating back to last season when he appeared in the final four games after finally being cleared from an ACL injury he suffered while at USC. He completed 22-of-30 passes for 135 yards and an interception in a defensive battle against Clemson that did not feature an offensive touchdown.
UAB has won two of the last three Conference USA championships, the most recent coming in 2020 after a 6-3 campaign. The Blazers beat Jacksonville State 31-0 to open the season.
