What Kirby Smart said after Georgia's blowout win over South Carolina
Kirby Smart’s Georgia Bulldogs improved to 3-0 on Saturday with a 40-13 thumping of SEC East rival South Carolina.
UGA won its SEC home opener with strong performances on both sides of the ball. The defense continued to dominate while the offense made it back-to-back games of scoring 40+ points.
After the game, Smart discussed a number of topics with members of the media, including playing JT Daniels and Stetson Bennett, pass coverage, pass rush and more.
Here are some of the highlights from Smart’s postgame press conference, as shared by reporters on the Georgia beat:
Kirby Smart: "I thought JT played with a high level of confidence."
— Anthony Dasher (@AnthonyDasher1) September 19, 2021
Smart on the end of the first half: “Situational football is critical."
— Jed May (@JedMay_) September 19, 2021
Smart said that JT Daniels was "not 100 percent" all week, and that's why Stetson Bennett went in on the 3rd drive.
— Lance McCurley (@lancemccurley) September 19, 2021
Kirby on the state of college football ?
It's a weird year. It's a different feel this year. Upsets seem to be more prevalent. We are not immune to it. It's hard. Each and every week.
— 960 The Ref (@960theref) September 19, 2021
Smart on how the pass rush is affecting opposing QBs: I guess you’d have to ask them. A lot, I would think.
— Jed May (@JedMay_) September 19, 2021
Kirby Smart said "I don't know if I've ever had as much confidence with three or four quarterbacks as I do now."…Smart also said the plan was all along to play both Daniels and Bennett.
— Anthony Dasher (@AnthonyDasher1) September 19, 2021
Smart said he “won’t lose any sleep” over defensive backs getting beat 1-on-1 because those things happen. He’s more concerned with things like turnovers, etc.
— Jed May (@JedMay_) September 19, 2021
KIRBY: Our guys get off in pass rush. There is a lot of detail in that. The amount of time we spend creating rush. I thought Luke (Doty) moved around and hurt us with some throws.
— DawgPost (@Dawg_Post) September 19, 2021
Kirby Smart also said "we will not be a good football team if we turn the ball over three times." Bulldogs had two interceptions and lost a fumble to South Carolina.
— Anthony Dasher (@AnthonyDasher1) September 19, 2021
Smart: "(South Carolina) hit some one-on-one plays where they beat us. I am not going to lose some sleep over that."
— Lance McCurley (@lancemccurley) September 19, 2021
Kirby on AD and Brock Bowers ?
They have earned the right to play. They have practiced extremely well. AD Mitchell is talented and is learning how to work. He has really good first step quickness. He's a good football player.
— 960 The Ref (@960theref) September 19, 2021
KIRBY: Our coaching staff will never rest. We are going to keep growing and getting better.
— DawgPost (@Dawg_Post) September 19, 2021
Smart said playing man to man on the outside is one of the qualities of a great defense, and they have to improve in that area
— Jed May (@JedMay_) September 19, 2021
Kirby on the deep shots South Carolina connected on ?
Josh Vann had a good night. But in this league, there's a lot of Josh Vanns. Couple of our guys got beat tonight. You better be able to play man to man. We have to also develop some of our younger players.
— 960 The Ref (@960theref) September 19, 2021
Georgia heads on the road next week to face Vanderbilt.
