Georgia QB Stetson Bennett's mobility presents challenge for Ohio State football defense

ATLANTA — There were plenty of times in Ohio State’s loss to Michigan last month when its defense appeared in position to sack quarterback J.J. McCarthy.

But McCarthy slipped away, maneuvering in time to evade the pass rush. Only once did the Buckeyes bring him down.

A similar challenge awaits in Saturday night’s College Football Playoff semifinal against top-seeded Georgia. Stetson Bennett, the Bulldogs’ quarterback who rose from a walk-on to a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, presents a similar escapability from the pocket.

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“He has shown times he can be very elusive,” OSU defensive end said J.T. Tuimoloau said, “and we have to stick to the game plan, trust one another and do our job.”

There is a certain level of mobility to the wiry 5-foot-11 quaterback, but also the savviness of a veteran.

Buckeyes defensive end Jack Sawyer notices Bennett reads defenses at a quick pace and takes off when he spots a bit of space.

“If he sees a lane, he’s not going to think twice,” Sawyer said. “He’s going to go. We’ve been harping on that. We've just got to keep him contained”

Bennett is comfortable picking up yards on the ground. He's rushed for 184 yards and seven touchdowns this season. One of his biggest came early in Georgia’s win over Tennessee last month when he escaped from a blitzing linebacker and a handful of defensive linemen to take off for a 13-yard score.

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But above all, his legs allow him to extend plays behind the line of scrimmage and distribute the ball to playmakers.

Facing McCarthy to end the regular season left the Buckeyes with an experience to draw on for their postseason matchup.

“Just always being aware that when you drop, they can run at any point,” linebacker Steele Chambers said. “You drop eight in coverage, the rush somehow doesn’t get there, he can get out and go for a long way. You've just got to be prepared he can also use his legs.”

That awareness is part of a balancing act in the eyes of defensive coordinator Jim Knowles.

Knowles said it’s important for defensive linemen to pursue quarterbacks with support from other defenders. A quick recognition matters.

“You don't want to hold your rush men back,” Knowles said. “You want those guys to be able to go, but you have to operate with fundamentals, with the knowledge of how this guy likes to scramble, or at least create room for himself and where he moves to.”

Mason Maggs, a walk-on quarterback from Dublin Coffman, has served as the scout team quarterback in practices this week, giving the Buckeyes a look at what to expect from Bennett.

“We watch tape and look at one cut-up of Georgia and one play of us, he's going step by step with him, doing everything he does,” Chambers said. “It's been really good.”

Chambers said Maggs has been given the freedom to freelance as he replicates Bennett’s style in the pocket.

Bennett was on this stage last winter, leading the Bulldogs to their first national championship in four decades.

It’s now up to Ohio State to answer.

“He's a great player,” Chambers said, “and I think it's going to take 11 guys to really stop him and stop that entire offense.”

Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Contact him at jkaufman@dispatch.com or on Twitter @joeyrkaufman.

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: The challenge Stetson Bennett presents Ohio State defense in CFP