Kirby Smart comments on QB play, injuries and more after 14-3 win over Kentucky
Kirby Smart’s Georgia Bulldogs improved to 4-1 on the season with a 14-3 win over Kentucky in Lexington.
UGA’s final tuneup before the Cocktail Party in Jacksonville was called boring and ugly by many, but a win is a win. Georgia QB Stetson Bennett IV had another rough outing, going 9-of-13 passing for 131 yards with 2 interceptions and no touchdowns. The Bulldogs defense kept Kentucky out of the end zone, but at the cost of multiple injuries.
After the game, Smart took questions about Bennett, the physical battle, the injury report and more. Here are the highlights from reporters on the Zoom call with Smart:
KIRBY: Excited for our guys for a big win. It is always tough against (UK). They did a nice job of limiting our possessions.
— DawgPost (@Dawg_Post) October 31, 2020
Kirby Smart: "Everytime we play them (Kentucky) it's a physical war."
— Anthony Dasher (@AnthonyDasher1) October 31, 2020
Kirby Smart 💬"They maintained the ball and were able to have success running it. Tough environment to play in, and I'm happy about how we responded."
— 960 The Ref (@960theref) October 31, 2020
Kirby Smart: "It was a game where we thought we would come in and score on every possession possible."
— Lance McCurley (@lancemccurley) October 31, 2020
Kirby Smart 💬"I wouldn't say we (the offense) was struggling. Defensively you have to give the ball back to the offense. I wasn't disappointed with the first half you just didn't get that many opportunities."
— 960 The Ref (@960theref) October 31, 2020
KIRBY: No, there was no discussion about (making a change at QB). Stetson has to wrap the ball around it, or throw it away. He did some good things. He didn't get a chance to throw the ball a lot because we ran the football today.
— DawgPost (@Dawg_Post) October 31, 2020
Smart on injuries: “you don’t shake your head at it, that’s what you have other players for… That’s why we train those guys."
— Jed May (@JedMay_) October 31, 2020
Kirby Smart 💬"We want to do whatever allows us the chance to be successful. We are always going to do what the defense gives us."
— 960 The Ref (@960theref) October 31, 2020
KIRBY: "I thought Zamir ran with great toughness. He's an ultimate team player."
— Matt DeBary (@MattDeBary) October 31, 2020
https://twitter.com/brandonsudge/status/1322622839254474752
Smart: "In order to be the team we want to be we have to be more explosive with the run and have more big plays with the pass."
— Lance McCurley (@lancemccurley) October 31, 2020
Kirby Smart 💬"It has nothing to do with defenses scouting Stetson better. He made one poor decision. It's lack of experience. He also did some good things with the ball. Give Kentucky some credit they have a good defense."
— 960 The Ref (@960theref) October 31, 2020
KIRBY: One play can effect the game in a one-score game. We just didn't have a lot of possession. We have to play the guy who gives us the best chance to win.
— DawgPost (@Dawg_Post) October 31, 2020
💬"I was proud and saw some resilient guys out there. That's pretty to me."
— 960 The Ref (@960theref) October 31, 2020
KIRBY: I don't know what people think about UK's coaches. I respect them as men and caches.
— DawgPost (@Dawg_Post) October 31, 2020
https://twitter.com/brandonsudge/status/1322624159126495233