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Kirby Smart ripped for decision to pass the ball before Gunner Stockton fumble
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Kirby Smart and Georgia are trailing Notre Dame 13-3 at halftime of the Sugar Bowl on Thursday.
The halftime decision could have been just 6-3 if not for an unfortunate close to the half for the Bulldogs. After Notre Dame kicked a field goal to go up 6-3 in the final minute of the half, the Bulldogs decided to be aggressive and try to get more points on the board with their final series.
That decision backfired immediately.
Gunner Stockton fumbled the ball on Georgia’s first play of the series. Notre Dame recovered and was able to tack on a touchdown on the very next play to make it 13-3 going into the break.
During his brief halftime interview on ESPN, Kirby Smart addressed the decision to be aggressive offensively rather than just kneel out the remaining clock. Smart said UGA “probably regrets” the decision to stay aggressive in that spot.
“We tried to be aggressive in 2-minute and probably regret it — go to the half 6-3,” Smart said. “We wanted to show confidence in our quarterback and let him go play. We didn’t get the block we needed to get and they made a good play.”
In the aftermath of that decision, Smart received a good amount of criticism on social media from both Georgia fans and neutral observers. Smart was also criticized for Georgia’s general performance in the first half, particularly on the offensive side of the ball.
Here’s some of that reaction:
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
