Kirby Smart faces immediate backlash about 4th down decision

Kirby Smart faced immediate backlash following a decision to go for it on 4th down and 9 from the Alabama 19-yard line at the end of the third quarter in the SEC Championship Game, as many fans and some media figured he would elect for a field goal attempt.

Smart has faced questions about his game management in the past, and this kind of decision revived some of those thoughts.

Facing a blitz up the middle, QB Stetson Bennett threw a pass that fell incomplete toward James Cook, and Alabama took a 31-17 lead to the fourth quarter.

Here’s a sample of the reaction:

Going for it on 4th and 9???!!! Wyd, Kirby?! Take the 3 dummy! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 #RollTide

— J.B. #SportsTalkJB (@young_ent_) December 4, 2021

Going for it right there shows that Kirby is desperate. I F**** love it. #RollTide

— Mark-a-licious (@MakingItNice21) December 4, 2021

Going for it on 4th & 9 was Kirby’s fake punt moment. The momentum was going their way & he didn’t trust his defense to take the points, @AlabamaFTBL back & make a play. #SECchampionship #RollTide #UGAvsBAMA

— Rick Morton (@rick_morton) December 4, 2021

What is Kirby doing going for it there

— Jac (@LongLiveCole) December 4, 2021

Why are you going for that Kirby? Don’t get it

— Michael (@AcunaDingers) December 4, 2021

WHAT IS KIRBY SMART DOING

— Todd Wave (@NellyToldYa) December 4, 2021

Kirby dumb ahh going for it instead of taking points 🤣🤣 see that’s why u don’t bet UGA 🤦🏾‍♂️

— mob Gee (@GatorFamilySEC) December 4, 2021

Keith Farner

A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.