Tag: Kirby Smart

Paul Finebaum criticizes Kirby Smart for ‘out of line’ behavior

SEC analyst Paul Finebaum was not happy with Kirby Smart’s comment to SEC commissioner Sankey.

Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart is known for being outspoken. After Georgia’s victory over Texas in the SEC championship, that outspoken side of him showed when he took a shot at SEC commissioner Greg Sankey.

“It means rest for a team that Greg Sankey and his staff sent on the road all year long,” Smart said. “We get to take a little bit of a break and get ready for the College Football Playoff. This team needs some rest mentally, needs a little time off.”

Georgia has played a tough schedule on the road this year. Both of the Bulldogs losses came against Alabama and Ole Miss on the road, and the Bulldogs’ first game against Texas was also on the road.

Sankey did not appreciate the shot. Cameras showed him scowling at Smart after the comment. SEC football analyst Paul Finebaum didn’t appreciate it either.

“I think everybody knows my affinity for Kirby Smart, but I, frankly, thought he was out of line for blasting the commissioner standing right next to him, presenting the trophy,” Finebaum said on Monday. “What was the point of taking a cheap shot at the commissioner of the SEC who did not do that schedule?”

“… For Kirby Smart who rarely makes an error, I thought it was really below the belt. Can you not say that without calling out the guy next to you who’s handing out the championship trophy?”

For what it’s worth, Georgia will play Ole Miss, Alabama, and Texas at home in 2025. Still, judging by Sankey’s body language, the SEC commissioner was not happy about the comment.

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Kirby Smart provides injury update on Brett Thorson

Injury update on Georgia football punter Brett Thorson, who has been ruled out for the season with a knee injury

Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck wasn’t the only key Georgia starter to suffer an injury in the SEC championship. Punter Brett Thorson, while defending a punt return, suffered a knee injury to his non-kicking leg. The injury may have contributed to Georgia calling a fake punt later in the game against Texas.

Unfortunately, his injury will take him out for the rest of the 2024 season. He will have knee surgery on his non-kicking leg.

“Punter Brett Thorson sustained a knee injury to his non-kicking leg in Saturday’s contest and will require season-ending surgery,” said Georgia in a statement.

“Carson and Brett are both fierce competitors and extremely hard workers,” coach Kirby Smart said. “I’m confident they will attack their rehab with the same determination they exhibit in their daily habits. We will be here to support them every step of the way.”

Thorson is one of the best punters in the nation. He was one of the three finalists for the Ray Guy Award for the nation’s top punter. He averages 47.6 yards per punt, with a long of 60 yards. He’s punted the ball inside the 20 yardline 22 times.

Drew Miller, who was the nation’s No. 1 punter recruit in the class of 2024, will make his debut in the Sugar Bowl.

Kirby Smart explains Georgia football’s fake punt decision

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart says UGA “needed a spark” and that’s why he did a risky fake punt with different results than the 2018 SEC championship

The Georgia Bulldogs needed some momentum. With the SEC championship game tied at 13 and only 11 minutes left in the fourth quarter, Georgia football head coach Kirby Smart decided to roll the dice. Smart called a fake punt, which resulted in a critical first down for the Bulldogs.

Georgia offensive lineman Drew Bobo completed a nine yard touch pass to wide receiver Arian Smith on fourth and five from Georgia’s own 30 yard line. Georgia went on to kick a field goal on the drive, which gave UGA a 16-13 lead.

“Yeah, I got some history of fake punts in that building,” said Smart, who stopped a successful Ohio State fake punt in the 2022 College Football Playoff semifinals with a perfectly timed timeout. Smart also had a failed fake punt attempt with Justin Fields in the Bulldogs’ 2018 SEC championship loss to Alabama.

“The biggest risk of snapping it to Drew Bobo, he had to catch it and toss it, so he’ll go down in history with a higher passing percentage than his father (former Georgia quarterback Mike Bobo),” Smart said. “I had one for one, so he should be 1,000%.”

There’s no doubt that Georgia’s fake punt is a massive reason why the Bulldogs went on to win the 2024 SEC championship over the Texas Longhorns.

“So it gave us a field goal, gave us a little momentum, a little juice,” continued Smart. “And we had lost a little momentum at that point. I think that was after they scored the touchdown. Look, it’s a lot easier to call it when you think you’re gonna be in the playoffs either way.”

According to ESPN, Georgia’s successful fake punt gave the Bulldogs a 2.2% higher chance to win. Of course, if the fake punt failed, then it would have been devastating for Georgia’s hopes of knocking off Texas.

 

 

Kirby Smart trolled Greg Sankey to his face during Georgia’s SEC championship celebration

Cue the Curb Your Enthusiasm music.

Georgia won the 2024 SEC championship game on Saturday in Atlanta over Texas in overtime, which is pretty sweet for Bulldogs fans.

However, what happened afterward might have been even sweeter for the pettiest of fans.

Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart used his victory speech to rip into the SEC and its commissioner, Greg Sankey, while the latter was standing right by him.

While Smart was basking in the celebration of another Georgia SEC championship, ESPN’s Laura Rutledge asked him about the team getting a first-round bye ahead of the College Football Playoff.

Smart took the opportunity to throw some very clear shade at Sankey and the SEC for what he felt were disadvantages with Georgia’s schedule.

“Well, it means rest for a team that Greg Sankey and his staff sent on the road all year long,” a fired-up Smart told Rutledge… all while Sankey was literally standing right there.

One of the game’s camera operators hysterically panned over to Sankey after Smart’s sharp jab, and he looked kind of done with the whole ordeal.

Seriously, this was like something from The Office or Curb Your Enthusiasm. How awkward!

To be fair to the SEC, Georgia only had four road games in the regular season, and one of those games was at Kentucky.

Sure, games at Alabama, Texas and Ole Miss aren’t necessarily easy, but great teams find a way win those and not complain, y’know?

It’s football in the SEC; you’re going to have tough road games. You got to have your conference championship game in your home state! Relax, dude!

As for Sankey, he may want to talk to Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti about his fracas with former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh last year.

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Georgia releases hype video before SEC Championship vs. Texas

The Georgia Bulldogs have dropped a hype trailed ahead of the SEC championship vs. Texas football

The No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs (10-2, 6-2) play the No. 2 Texas Longhorns (11-1, 7-1) in the 2024 SEC championship game. Georgia is three-point underdogs, which should give the Dawgs a little bit more motivation.

Georgia’s hype video for the rematch of the Texas game is “No Retreat”. The video is narrated by former Georgia and current Chicago Bears running back D’Andre Swift.

Swift speaks on how directly facing challenges is part of Georgia’s championship DNA. Discomfort separates the great from the ordinary is another thing that he preaches. Enjoying the grind, being battle-tested, and being ready for whatever comes next.

He said a saying that has circulated around the program since head coach Kirby Smart took over, “For each other, with each other.”

The SEC championship game is Georgia’s highest stake game this season, Georgia fans want to see selflessness and the Dawgs bringing home the SEC title.

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Joel Klatt predicts winner of SEC Championship

Joel Klatt’s predicts who will win the SEC championship game between UGA and Texas

Fox college football analyst Joel Klatt has predicted his SEC championship winner. The Georgia Bulldogs take on the Texas Longhorns Saturday afternoon in the SEC championship.

The Bulldogs are considered three-point underdogs coming into this game. The Longhorns posted a dominant 11-1 record in their first season in the SEC, with their only loss coming against Georgia 30-15.

Klatt went on “The Joel Klatt Show” to discuss the SEC championship at length.

What does Joel Klatt say about the SEC championship?

On Kirby Smart: “We’re going to get underdog Kirby…when Georgia wins against an SEC team they should’ve, you’ll probably catch Kirby saying ‘Man, it’s tough to win on the road in the SEC’ and when Georgia wins a big game against a tough opponent, he’ll say, ‘Nobody gave us a chance to win this.'”

On the first meeting: “Georgia’s defensive line totally dominated the offensive line of Texas, which was a bit surprising. I think Texas has one of the best offensive line in the country.”

“Do I think this game is going to play exactly like the first meeting? No. Sark is too smart to go with the same game plan against Georgia.”

On injuries: “Kelvin Banks, the star left tackle for Texas, is dealing with an ankle injury…Quinn Ewers has been dealing with an ankle injury, so how effective is Kelvin Banks going against a front that was the only front to dominate the line over the course of the year?”

On Arch Manning: “Could the legs of Arch Manning be a factor in this game? It very well might be. Georgia’s defense gave up a ton of yardage to Haynes King. That could be an advantage for Texas. I like Quinn Ewers a lot but I’m starting to come around in that Arch might be a better option. This could be a similar discussion to Alabama back when they had Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts in 2017.”

On which Georgia team will show up: “I’m not sure. Let’s just hope for their sake that it’s the good version.”

On Carson Beck: “I think Carson Beck’s been better the last three games. He still turned it over three times against Texas and they (the Bulldogs) won, but he’s had twelve touchdowns and no turnovers the past three games. Can Carson Beck drive the ball against Texas and score?”

On the defensive matchup: “Texas’s defense is an elite defense. They’re No. 2 in the country behind only Ohio State, and Georgia’s defense just gave up 500 yards to Georgia Tech.”

Klatt believes that Texas will win in the rematch. “I think Texas wins the rematch. I think they’re a better football team. I think they win it 24-21,” Klatt said.

Klatt’s prediction: Texas 24, Georgia 21

Kirby Smart reacts to Julian Humphrey’s decision to transfer

UGA head coach Kirby Smart spoke with the media after Julian Humphrey announced his decision to transfer ahead of the SEC championship

Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart spoke with the media for the first time ahead of Georgia’s SEC championship game against the Texas Longhorns.

Smart answered questions about the status of Georgia redshirt sophomore defensive back Julian Humphrey, who announced his plans to enter the transfer portal on Sunday. Humphrey is Georgia’s No. 3 cornerback at the moment, but has started several games for the Bulldogs this year including UGA’s last game against Texas.

“No status that I’m aware of,” said Smart when asked on Humphreys. “I mean, I saw the same thing you saw. So, we’re worried about the guys that we’re going to go play Texas with.”

The timing of the transfer portal is an absolute nightmare for head coaches. Smart and other college football coaches have the early signing day, conference championship and opening of the transfer portal all within one week. The portal officially opens on Dec. 9.

“I’m not sure of that,” said Smart when asked if Humphrey will be with the team for the Texas game.

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Georgia is expected to start Daniel Harris and Daylen Everette at outside cornerback.

Former Georgia assistant thanks Kirby Smart after massive upset win

Former Georgia assistant thanks Kirby Smart after major upset win

Former Georgia Bulldog defensive backs coach Fran Brown has done great work in revitalizing the Syracuse football program. Brown improved the Orange’s record from 6-7 in 2023 to 9-3 in 2024, earning a top 25 spot and a solid bowl game in his first year on the job.

The Orange boast one of the best offenses in the ACC led by former Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord and former Georgia wide receiver Jackson Meeks.

Syracuse’s biggest win of the season came in rivalry week, when the Syracuse Orange defeated the No. 6 Miami Hurricanes 42-38. Syracuse was down 21-0 at one point, but the Orange rallied to knock the Hurricanes out of the ACC championship matchup and potentially the College Football Playoff.

Fran Brown gave his old boss Kirby Smart a shoutout after the win: “Hey Kirby Smart, thank you for that message earlier, Kirby. Means so much to me, Coach Smart. I appreciate you, I love you. Thank you,” Brown said.

Kirby Smart justifies CFB’s new overtime rules

Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart talks the new college football overtime rules that end the game with alternating two-point conversions

Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart spoke with the media following Georgia’s epic 44-42 victory in eight overtimes against Georgia Tech.

College football overtime rules recently changed to force teams to do continuous two-point conversions following the second overtime period. In the old days, teams would start from the 25 yardline and be forced to do two-point attempts after touchdowns starting in the third overtime.

Essentially, the new rules turn the game into a battle of two-point conversions where any play is do-or-die. Each conversion could win, lose, or extend the game.

Smart had not experienced the new overtime rules as Georgia’s head coach until the Georgia Tech game.

“Well, if they played it out like it used to be, we might still be out there. That’s why they changed it,” Smart said after the game.

Georgia looked pretty exhausted after facing a grueling SEC schedule and 10 total Power Four opponents.

“And that was a long… when I look at it, we played 84 plays. We played 84 plays on our defense, and then our offense had 69, which that’s partly our own fault. But when you go to overtime, man, it could be really… I was part of that game. And the reason they changed that was because of that,” said Smart.

At a certain point, players do get worn down, but overtime games are rare and there has to be a better way for the game to be decided. Nonstop two-point conversions just don’t have the flow of a normal football game. Perhaps having offense start from a further distance would help shorten overtimes.

“I mean, we’ve got to play another game next week, so somebody’s sitting out there like, keep playing. Keep more snaps you play. We’re a beat-up football team, guys. We are a beat up,” Smart continued. Georgia won’t have long to lick its wounds. The Bulldogs play in the SEC championship game on Saturday.

“We need to get well, and it’s not going to happen this week. So we’ve got to keep getting better,” added Smart.

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Georgia desperately needs to win the SEC championship so the Dawgs can get a bye in the first-round of the College Football Playoff.

What Kirby Smart, Brent Key said during lengthy hug

What did Georgia’s Kirby Smart and Tech’s Brent Key say during their long hug with each other?

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets head coach Brent Key and Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart had a lengthy embrace following Georgia’s epic 44-42 win over Georgia Tech in eight overtimes.

The loss was heartbreaking for Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets never trailed in regulation and held a 17-0 lead at halftime. Georgia Tech had multiple chances to win in overtime, but were unable to finish their upset bid.

So what did Kirby Smart and Brent Key say to each other during their hug?

“I’ll just keep it between he and I,” Smart said on their embrace. “We’re both competitors. We have respect for each other. We played here in the same area, we played against each other, we recruited against each other. We don’t get to share thoughts and ideas and have break bread and have tea very often.”

Smart played college football at Georgia and Key played college football at Georgia Tech, so the rivalry is in their blood.

“So when we get a chance to talk and show respect to each other, I think being competitors, it’s a hard game, and nobody knows what it’s like to sit on that sideline and go through that pain and the highs, the lows, we’re going to win, we’re going to lose, we’re going to win, we’re going to lose. I mean, he was emotionally spent, and so was I,” said Smart.

There’s no doubt that both Georgia and Georgia Tech had a ton of plays where they could’ve won the game in overtime. Ultimately, Georgia running back Nate Frazier had a game-winning two-point conversion to the jubilation of UGA fans.

“We probably know what each other goes through for our fan bases better than anybody. Nobody else has been in those shoes and had to deal with that and do that,” continued Smart. “He’s done a tremendous job turning that program around.”

Smart has a lot of respect for Brent Key and Georgia Tech. The Georgia-Georgia Tech rivalry used to be a cakewalk for Georgia, but the times have changed under Key.

Smart clearly has empathy for Key. “What do you think? Yeah. Probably in my career, my life,” said Key on if the Georgia loss is the toughest one he’s ever experienced.

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“It’s tough. I love that team in there. They fought their asses off. There’s no moral victories,” said Key. “But I’m proud of those guys. And we’ll use this to continue to fuel us, to continue to improve in all areas of the program. Georgia Tech’s special, these kids are special.”

Georgia Tech has a lot to be proud of, but they’ll be having nightmares about this loss to Georgia for a long time.