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Despite the 31-24 win over Mississippi State, Georgia fans are furious with head coach Kirby Smart.
It’s easy to see why.
Smart finally made the switch from Stetson Bennett to JT Daniels on Saturday vs. Mississippi State, and it made all the difference. Daniels was so good, it had fans asking the same question: What took so long?
Even with Bennett struggling for most of the season, Daniels didn’t see any game action until facing Mississippi State.
With Daniels under center, Georgia turned in one of its best offensive performances in years.
Daniels 28-of-38 passes for 401 yards and four touchdowns. His arm looked electric and he made smart decisions with the ball.
According to ESPN Stats & Info, Daniels became the first Georgia QB since Aaron Murray to clear 300 yards and four touchdowns in a single game. He’s only the fourth UGA quarterback ever to clear those benchmarks, joining Murray, Matthew Stafford and Cory Phillips.
JT Daniels is the first Georgia player with 300 passing yards and 4 passing touchdowns in a game since Aaron Murray in 2013 vs South Carolina. pic.twitter.com/waQvMUB9Sk
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 22, 2020
Here’s some of the reaction from fans who are frustrated with Smart’s choice to leave Daniels on the bench until now:
JT Daniels has 370 yards, 4 touchdowns and 0 INTs
What does this say about Kirby Smart?
— UGA Football Live (@UGAfootballLive) November 22, 2020
https://twitter.com/DTDenson80/status/1330350059590995976
Kirby Smart needs to explain why JT Daniels didn't start until tonight. If he was hurt, then say as much, because there's no way he's not the best QB when healthy.
— Patrick Schmidt (@PatrickASchmidt) November 22, 2020
How does Kirby Smart explain not starting @jtdaniels06 earlier in the season? His accuracy and pocket awareness compared to prior qb’s is night and day. Happy to see this for JT after such a tough injury last year but debut a little late. @CFBONFOX @CollegeGameDay
— John Skinner (@TheSkinnyonRE) November 22, 2020
I will never forgive Kirby Smart for not starting him sooner. Daniels could’ve been the difference against Florida. He could’ve been the difference against Bama if he was ready then. https://t.co/07KQOAhg8Y
— Jared Feinberg (@JRodNFLDraft) November 22, 2020
https://twitter.com/SpursTrolI/status/1330352410401845250
https://twitter.com/tasmithsr/status/1330337274316394498?s=20
Kirby Smart been hiding JT Daniels from us this whole time
— UGA 2024 Champions (@Kyle_Moreno77) November 22, 2020
Again, why wasn’t Georgia starting JT Daniels when he was cleared to play?
— Mikey moozler (@mikerenzulli2) November 22, 2020
JT Daniels should’ve been starting for Georgia all along
— Nick Hogan™ (@Nick_Hogan15) November 22, 2020
JT daniels should have been starting this whole time
— Jared? (@Jayyyl3) November 22, 2020
Me trying to figure out why JT Daniels has been on the bench through 6 games pic.twitter.com/YZ2oUCFpsu
— Kyle Bailey (@mkbailey5) November 22, 2020
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
