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Kirby Smart discusses Georgia’s first half struggles vs. Ole Miss, adjustments at halftime
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Kirby Smart and Georgia went to the locker room trailing Ole Miss 16-7 in Oxford. The Bulldogs were outgained 229-69 in the first half while managing just 2.5 yards a play.
“They’re getting off the rock really good. They’re jumping our snap count pretty good. They’ve got really good defensive players,” Smart told ESPN’s Molly McGrath. “At the end of the day, you’ve got to be able to run the ball enough so they can’t pass rush like that, pin their ears back.”
Smart discussed what the Bullogs defense needs to do in the second half to get back into the game, noting some first-half positives while highlighting some areas of improvement.
“[We need to] get some turnovers,” he said. “We’re holding them to field goals. We’re not giving up the plays in the red area. We’ve got to do a good job of getting the ball off of them. We’ve got to affect the QB better. They’re doing a good job of getting the ball out.”
Carson Beck was 6-of-10 for 49 yards in the first half. Nate Frazier and Travis Etienne have combined for 13 carries for 43 yards, while Frazier has a rushing touchdown.
Outside of the first-quarter touchdown drive — made possible by an interception near the red zone — and a kneeldown to end the half, the Bulldogs punted on each of their possessions in the opening two quarters.
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
