GEORGIA Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart could be disciplined after an unusual incident.
The sequence occurred during Georgia‘s 41-31 win over the Mississippi State Bulldogs over the weekend.
During the fourth quarter, Mississippi State quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. ran the ball for six yards and ran out of bounds on the Georgia sideline.
After the play, ESPN’s cameras showed that Smart was yelling at the side judge.
As Van Buren looked to head back to the field, Smart took off his visor and pushed the signal-caller, who stayed on his feet.
The play took place with a little less than three minutes left in the contest.
Smart wasn’t penalized for the sequence despite a referee being near him, reacting to the contact, and separating the head coach and player.
After the game, Smart was asked about the incident.
The coach said he was trying to get the attention of UGA defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann and didn’t remember pushing Van Buren Jr.
“I think I was going after Schumann,” Smart said, per CBS Sports.
“I was trying to get Schumann’s attention.
“We were trying to change personnel.
“I think it’s the play they came over to our sideline and trying to get Schumman’s attention.
“But, no, I don’t really remember it.”
The fourth quarter play came while Mississippi State mounted a rally to get them back into the game against Georgia.
Van Buren threw for 306 yards and three touchdowns and connected with Kelly Akharaiyi for a 35-yard pass late in the fourth quarter to cut the game within 10 points.
Smart looking on before a 2023 game[/caption]
Georgia persevered at the end as quarterback Carson Beck threw for a career-high 459 yards in the victory.
Fans have pleaded for Smart to be suspended due to the incident, with one on social media writing, “What’s this about..? The SEC should suspend Kirby Smart!”
Still, it’s unlikely that Smart will be punished after the incident.
But if Smart were to be suspended for next week’s game, it would happen in the matchup of the week as No. 5 Georgia plays the No. 1 Texas Longhorns.
“I’m not really sure what that was but I was just trying to play my game. I didn’t really see it for real,” Van Buren said about the incident with Smart after the contest.
Georgia is currently 5-1 overall on the season and 3-1 in SEC play.
