Ad Disclosure
Kirby Smart explained why Georgia attempted an onside kick to start South Carolina game
By Adam Spencer
Published:
The Georgia Bulldogs made an unusual decision to start Saturday’s game against the South Carolina Gamecocks, trying to catch the Gamecocks off-guard with an onside kick.
The play didn’t work, and it gave coach Will Muschamp’s squad great field position to start the first drive.
Smart was asked about the questionable decision at halftime, and said he thought the play was there and he wanted Georgia to come out aggressively:
“Keep chopping, man.”
@FootballUGA’s Kirby Smart spoke with @JohnSchriffen at the half, as Georgia leads 14-7. pic.twitter.com/xVNd2svQVX— CBS Sports College Football ? (@CBSSportsCFB) November 4, 2017
“We’re aggressive,” he said. “It was there. We want to go after it and that’s what we believe in.”
He also addressed it after the game, adding that he wants the Bulldogs to be the hunter and not the hunted:
Kirby Smart on the onside kick: "it was there. I want to be aggressive at the University of Georgia. I want to hunt." #UGA #Dawgs pic.twitter.com/V0wgNyk8YF
— Wes Blankenship (@Wes_nship) November 4, 2017
The Bulldogs ended up winning 24-10, so the decision didn’t cost them, but it’s something Smart and his coaching staff will have to look at as they head into next weekend’s Auburn game.
Perhaps a more conservative approach to the first kickoff next week will be a smart move.
Adam is a daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting expert. A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 16 SEC football teams. He is the director of DFS, evergreen and newsletter content across all Saturday Football brands.
