ATHENS, Ga. – One losing season. Two Southeastern Conference East Division titles. One torn ACL. One torn meniscus.
Michael Bennett has not lacked for experiences or obstacles during his five-year career as a Georgia Bulldogs receiver. Bennett will be among 27 seniors who will suit up for the final time at Sanford Stadium this Saturday when the No. 9 Bulldogs host No. 16 Georgia Tech.
“It’s been a long road and a character-building time in my life,” Bennett said. “I’ve been on some good teams and some bad teams, and I’ve seen a lot of leadership come and go, and I think that has kind of developed me as a leader myself.”
Bennett has started 26 games in his career, including 10 this season. The 6-foot-3, 205-pounder from the Atlanta suburb of Alpharetta has a team-leading 35 receptions for 381 yards and four touchdowns, and his career totals include 132 catches for 1,584 yards and 17 scores.
He has been a fixture in Georgia’s offense since the 2011 game against Florida, when he hauled in a 20-yard touchdown reception from Aaron Murray just before halftime that helped turn a 17-3 deficit into a 24-20 win. The Gators had won 18 of 21 series meetings going into that game, but the Bulldogs have won three of four since.