Kirby Smart says Kentucky’s defense might be Georgia’s ‘toughest challenge to date’
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Even after watching his offense score just 16 points in a devastating loss to LSU on Oct. 13, coach Kirby Smart thinks No. 6 Georgia may not have faced the toughest defense on the schedule yet.
Smart heaped praise on No. 11 Kentucky’s defense ahead of Saturday’s massive clash in Lexington. The victor will win the SEC East and clinch a spot in the conference title game, and Smart knows the Bulldogs will have to find ways to move the ball against a Wildcats defense anchored by star linebacker and fringe Heisman candidate Josh Allen.
“It will probably be our toughest challenge to date,” Smart said during Wednesday’s SEC Coaches Teleconference. “We haven’t seen a defense with this much experience and depth, speed. … They have everything you want: size up front, speed, guys on the back end. … It should be a great challenge.”
Indeed, the Wildcats lead the SEC in scoring defense by allowing only 13 points per game. Georgia (7-1, 5-1 SEC) travels to face Kentucky (7-1, 5-1) at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.
Below is everything else Smart said during the teleconference.
On WR Jeremiah Holloman’s drop before getting in the end zone:
- He was great, he was good. He didn’t even realize he had done it. You have to drive home with kids today; they are thinking about what they are going to do once they score more than getting in the end zone.
On his running backs this season:
- They have done well, really physical, run hard. … They have a good offensive line; they also have a more experienced quarterback, as opposed to him being a first-year guy. But these are physical defenses they are facing. … They have filled the shoes nicely.
On the split with Elijah Holyfield and D’Andre Swift:
- I don’t know we plot it that way, but we want balance. We go with what’s best for the team. It’s worked out that they both have done well. … We don’t want a tired back in there.
On Georgia’s receivers vs. Florida, and Demetris Robertson’s status:
- I think all our receivers work hard. They don’t all get to see the ball, but that’s a tough unit. They work hard on special teams; without that unit, we would struggle on special teams They really help us. On offense, they make plays for us, … (Robertson) continues to progress, but he needs to learn the offense.
Marcus covers SEC football for Saturday Down South.
