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Kirby Smart, Michael Van Buren Jr. comment on viral shoving incident during Georgia win
By Crissy Froyd
Published:
Kirby Smart was all over social media on Saturday night after he appeared to shove Mississippi State quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. during Georgia’s home game. But it doesn’t sound like it was intentional.
In fact, it doesn’t sound like Smart even knew that he had ever done it. While it looked like he was going for the MSU QB to some, he says he was actually trying to get the attention of his defensive coordinator, Glenn Schumann, instead.
“I think was going after Schumann,” Smart said after the game. “I was trying to get Schumann’s attention. We were trying to change personnel. I think it was the play they came into our sideline, and I’m trying to get Schumann’s attention. But, no, I don’t really remember it.”
And, when you actually take a look at the video for what it is, it doesn’t appear Smart is focused on Van Buren at all.
Kirby Smart shoves Mississippi State QB Michael Van Buren while arguing with official.
(via @SECNetwork)https://t.co/3JH351c7HR pic.twitter.com/zHYpnyClCg
— On3 (@On3sports) October 12, 2024
Van Buren, when asked about the situation, also didn’t seem to know exactly what happened. If anything, it appears he just got caught up in the line of fire. Wrong place, wrong time.
“I’m not sure what that was,” he said. “I was just trying to play my game.”
Regardless, the officials missed it and there were no penalty flags flying because of it. And appears the social media reaction was all much to do about a whole lot of nothing.
Crissy covers SEC football news for Saturday Down South.
