Bennett was selected as the Yellow Jackets' backup quarterback before the 2004 game against the Maryland Terrapins. Prior to the 2007 season, he started in two games; in 2005 against the Connecticut Huskies when Reggie Ball had viral meningitis, and in the 2007 Gator Bowl against the West Virginia Mountaineers when Reggie Ball was academically ineligible to play. At the Connecticut game, Bennett became only the second quarterback in NCAA history to complete a pass for a touchdown in his first ever collegiate play from scrimmage. The only other quarterback to do this was former Southern California quarterback Matt Leinart. In May 2007, Bennett was given a Spring Team honorable mention by The Sporting News in recognition of his outstanding performance in spring practice.