The Georgia Bulldogs haven't produced a Heisman Trophy winner since Herschel Walker in 1982, and it doesn't appear that will change despite the success of this season's top-ranked team.
This has been a program that has embraced a no-name defense and has thrived offensively behind former walk-on quarterback Stetson Bennett, unheralded receiver Ladd McConkey and freshman tight end Brock Bowers. Earlier this week, Bennett was named one of three finalists for the lesser-known Burlsworth Trophy, which has been given annually since 2010 to college football's best player who began his career by walking on.
"I was super proud for Stetson," Georgia coach Kirby Smart said Wednesday on the Southeastern Conference teleconference. "What a great honor. I don't know that people give that award the proper recognition, because that's one of the coolest and greatest awards, because it means, 'I went here to school without a scholarship. I went to do something special,' and walk-ons are special. They do it for free.
"Most of the players by the time they get to that award are on scholarship because they've proven everybody wrong."
Bennett was the third-string quarterback behind JT Daniels and Carson Beck this past spring and in preseason camp but seized the opportunity once Daniels became sidelined with a lat injury. The 5-foot-11, 190-pounder guided Georgia to lopsided wins over the ranked trio of Arkansas, Auburn and Kentucky, and he enters this week's game against Charleston Southern having completed 97 of 149 passes (65.1%) for 1,625 yards with 15 touchdowns and four interceptions.
His 10.9 yards per attempt and his 184.6 efficiency rating are tops among Power Five quarterbacks.
The Burlsworth Trophy is named in honor of former Arkansas offensive lineman Brandon Burlsworth, who arrived in Fayetteville as a walk-on in 1994 before becoming a three-year starter from 1996-98. He was a third-round selection of the Indianapolis Colts in 1999 but died in an auto accident 11 days after being drafted.
Smart was an undrafted safety out of Georgia during the spring of 1999 who received a mini camp invite with the Colts.
"We were with the Colts at the same time, and then the tragic accident happened," Smart said. "I explained the back story to Stetson and what that award means and what he was like, and I think Stetson feels honored to be one of the finalists for that."
Former Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield and former Clemson receiver Hunter Renfrow are among the previous Burlsworth Trophy winners. This year's other two finalists are linebackers Carlton Martial of Troy and Grant Morgan of Arkansas.
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The Athens Banner-Herald reported Wednesday that Georgia senior outside linebacker Adam Anderson is being released on $25,000 bond on his recent rape charge and that a "victim B" has come forward alleging Anderson raped her last year. Anderson will be allowed to finish his classes this semester and then will live in his hometown of Rome.
The 6-5, 230-pounder is not expected to play again this season, according to his attorney, the Banner-Herald reported.
AP photo by Wade Payne / Georgia football coach Kirby Smart yells to his players during Saturday's road game against Tennessee.Pasquali's Pix
Charleston Southern at Georgia: This glorious border war first took place in 2014, when the Bulldogs won 55-9 with 580 yards and zero punts. Bulldogs 58, Buccaneers 3.
Georgia Tech at Notre Dame: Yellow Jackets fans used to get upset when Chan Gailey won seven games each season. Now, Geoff Collins appears stuck on three. Fighting Irish 35, Yellow Jackets 20.
The Citadel at UTC: The Mocs have allowed 200 or fewer yards to their past four opponents, the longest such stretch for the program since it ascended to the Division I ranks in 1977. Mocs 31, Bulldogs 10.
Arkansas at Alabama: This is one of the most balanced rivalries in the SEC, with the Crimson Tide having won 14 straight and the past two by the combined count of 100-10. Crimson Tide 38, Razorbacks 13.
Florida at Missouri: The Gators are averaging 70 points a game since getting Beamered. Tigers 27, Gators 22.
Auburn at South Carolina: The Tigers couldn't defeat the Gamecocks last season, but TJ Finley could. Tigers 24, Gamecocks 23.
Vanderbilt at Ole Miss: The Rebels are on the verge of completing their first undefeated run at home since 1992. Rebels 49, Commodores 6.
South Alabama at Tennessee: Georgia and Alabama are the top two teams nationally, and Tennessee's Cedric Tillman had a combined 352 receiving yards against them. Volunteers 41, Jaguars 20.
Other picks:
Louisville 45, Duke 22
Texas A&M 59, Prairie View 6
Mississippi State 56, Tennessee State 15
Kentucky 48, New Mexico State 9
LSU 42, Louisiana-Monroe 21
Houston 31, Memphis 30
Ohio State 37, Michigan State 14
Clemson 33, Wake Forest 28
Boston College 20, Florida State 17
North Carolina 44, Wofford 13
Cincinnati 35, SMU 16
Michigan 27, Maryland 10
Pittsburgh 38, Virginia 27
MTSU 43, Old Dominion 38
N.C. State 41, Syracuse 24
Oregon 22, Utah 19
Miami 26, Virginia Tech 3
Winners - 18
Fuentes - 7
Pasquali is 203-72 overall (73.8%) this season.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524. Follow him on Twitter @DavidSPaschall.