Kirby Smart calls out Georgia fans following win over Florida
Jake Fromm stepped up to the plate Saturday against Florida, and Kirby Smart put it into his leader’s hands with the game on the line.
Fromm threw for 279 yards and two touchdowns in the 24-17 win over Florida. Fromm’s 3rd and 7 conversion in the last minutes of the fourth quarter to tight end Eli Wolf is what legends are made of.
After the game, Smart and Fromm shared an emotional moment on the field.
During his postgame press conference, Smart called out Georgia fans, too.
Kirby Smart praised “Dawgnation” for being “all in,” today but added: “I was proud of the support our fans provided for us even if they didn’t think Jake could throw the ball.”
— Marc Weiszer (@marcweiszer) November 2, 2019
Fromm had struggled the last few weeks leading into the bye week for UGA, and the noise was loud. Fans took aim at offensive coordinator James Coley and Fromm leading up to the Florida game.
Well, safe to say Fromm silenced those critics Saturday.
Kirby Smart wanted to send a message with this one, though.
Brilliant game plan carried out to perfection.
Power runs, runs outside, passes that went to different receivers in different places, and even a wide open receiver…all of that was great. However, greater tests still await.
Good ….feel free to carry that chip on your shoulder as long as you like Kirby.
Thanks for responding to our passionate pleas and pulling out a hard fought “W”. Please keep silencing my concerns with some consistency now.
I don’t know how many fans question if Fromm can throw the ball…I think they may question if Coley could put him in a situation to succeed at throwing the ball…but they did the job this afternoon…
Exactly! 2 problems with the passing game, and neither problem is Jake Fromm. 1 – receivers are getting no separation. Against the UF zone defense separation was easy. 2 – receivers and backs dropping passes.
Fromm is one of the smartest and most efficient QBs in college football. He makes pre-snap changes that pay off. UGA was 12 of 18 on 3rd downs and Fromm had several 7 and 12 and 14 yard 3rd down passes completed. Foley is the problem, not Fromm.
it was a great win for the dogs thanks to the heavens but before smart gets too far out in front of the reality the game could have gone very differntly if joe burrow or tua was the opponent ———-this wilson kid is a liability covering a big tight end and the fellows not covering the swain kid was almost a disaster—–the other problem is the dogs were great until getting down to the red zone and not able to make tds and had to settle for 3 pts——–what i did not understand was the 15 times or so that swift or herrien were stopped running up the middle for nothing or 2 yards——-when they ran outside the green grass was open for them ——–so is this offensive guru now going to claim he will handle the same way against auburn —-much less the sec champ game or what about the monster at ohio state —-the offensive line was good tonite and deserve some credit but if they face this guy at ohio state will they hold up——–remember dog fans we need to win the NC if not we are back to remembering 1980
Good points—Webb and Wilson have really struggled in pass coverage this year, and if we can’t run this successfully on Florida’s interior D (which sucked against the run the past 2 games), then running on Brown, Davidson & Coe in the black magic of Jordyn Hare will be nigh impossible.
I have also been perplexed as to why we haven’t tried more outside runs. It seems we have gone away from the toss sweep and other edge runs that had been staples of our offense and the catalyst for many big runs in the past. I was happy to see a toss against Florida. It was there and set up well. Swift broke it and ended up in the end zone, albeit to get called back on a ticky-tack holding call. I believe the toss does two things for the offense, it gives the back a step or two on the defense and they are able to carry more momentum at the line of scrimmage allowing them to break through initial contact and arm tackles. Not to mention Swift’s ability to make cuts and exploit over pursuit by defenders. Secondly, it forces the defense to respect the edge run preventing them from loading the box and allowing more success at running it up the middle.
It wasn’t Fromm the fans have been questioning. This is Kirby using his players as shields to deflect the criticism aimed at him. He also doubled down on the game plan even though Fromm opened it up a little more than normal.
At the end of the day, we beat a team by 7 points that is not ranked in the top 10 in a single major statistical category. What happens when we play a team like auburn Bama or LSU that can beat you in the air and on the ground.
We still averaged less than 4 YPR, settled for 3 field goals, totally missed 2 TD passes (bad throw, bad catch “attempt”), didn’t register a single turnover, and played miserably on 1st and 2nd down. This wasn’t a complete game in any way, and Alabama or LSU, and TBH Auburn, are licking their chops right now. A long way to go before we can make it to Atlanta.
Thank God we won…..
Absolutely agree. If the UGA players are allowed to play to their full potential, we win that game by 3 TDs.
Good game alway love beating the gators. But one game proves nothing and we shouldn’t get to excited we have seen this before…I’m waiting to see if we will play a whole game against whoever we face in the SEC championship if we make it and how will the offense perform then…I would love to believe…but can we win SEC and National championship ..? Waiting
I think writers and coaches may be confused…..I’m a season ticket holder and everyone in my section vs UK and Carolina booed the PLAYCALLING, not the players. Even after I saw the interview with Swift, I knew everyone was confused lol. We aren’t booing the players, just Coley lol
Congratulations the better team won. I said earlier this week that Florida needed to do 3 things to win one of which was limit 3rd down conversions. They didn’t do that because Georgia made better calls with the better players. Good luck the rest of the season and look forward to next Halloween down by the river.
Classy Salty. Good luck to y’all, as well. Hopefully, the next game in Jax for both of us will be just as meaningful and hard fought, which ever team wins.
Classy comment Gators fan. I live in Jacksonville and some of my best friends are classy UF fans like you. See ya next year.
I miss the Landing!
Florida got at least 2 terrible calls and still almost won. Georgia is the luckiest team in the league. Refs did a good job of giving you the game
2? I can only think of one possible. Florida also received a bad call that gave them a touchdown when the ball clearly never crossed the line. Lets not also ignore that if it wasnt for refa calling a dozen pass interferences the gators wouldnt make it down the field at all. Also please rewatch the game and see they 2 dozen no called holds against floridas oline. So tired of this stuff florida was handed several calls against south carolina… they arent for one team or the other they are just bad in general. Dont defer to pathetic reasoning just because the team you didnt want to win did.
Well, we paid them as lot of money……
The Cager call was bad. It was obvious we were the better team though. We earned the W and trying to cheapen it is just bitterness on your part. It’s not based in reality.
I know, we are lucky..I’m so grateful for all the luck and ref’s help against UT the last three years..I mean clearly we needed it.. when it’s 122-26..it’s clearly just luck…
Fromm was brilliant today but Florida running zone helped greatly. Mullen and DC definitely missed on the scheme. Florida’s clock management in the 4th quarter looked like a rec league game.
As a 1983 graduate of UGA and season tickets holder for 36 years, I strongly believe you are with us or against us. You do not bleed Red & Black and boo any team representing UGA. There is a correct manner of voicing displeasure and booing is not one. That said, have I been thrilled with the offense this season? No, but I didn’t make an @$$ of myself and boo at the team vs Kentucky. I talk to my friends about it. Believe it or not, you are representing UGA when you put on a hat, shirt, or even undies (I digress). Great win over the lizard people. All goals are in sight. Go You Hairy Dawgs and ZBT!
Mike Blakely
Nope. Fromm is still no Justin Fields.
Apples and Oranges
Fromm has not been the problem from my view. Channeling Bobo for offensive play calling – that has been the problem. Let’s see, that didn’t work, let’s do it 2 more times (still doesn’t work). Keep doing it. Wow, run off-tackle and it works…that had to open up the inside so don’t do that again. Long pass, again, needed 4, went for 30. Needed 5 went for 20. Fail, fail, finally need 12 go for 6. That, my favorite coach for GA in years, has been the problem. Happy for the W, cut off the cell phone to Bobo, and keep on winning – go Dawgs.
Bobo ran the most effecient offense in Georgia history. He coached 2 QB’s that have set SEC passing records. The hate for Bobo is unfounded we would be GREATLY improved if he returned to Athens.