In the aftermath of Georgia’s 23-10 loss to Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl, head coach Kirby Smart addressed several critical moments that contributed to the defeat.
Aggressive Play-Calling Backfires
A pivotal decision occurred late in the first half when Smart chose to have quarterback Gunner Stockton attempt a pass from their own 25-yard line with 38 seconds remaining, rather than opting to run out the clock. This aggressive strategy led to a fumble, allowing Notre Dame to extend their lead to 13-3. Smart defended his decision, stating, “Typically, when you’re down, you need every possession you can have… You can’t give up possessions when you’re trailing.”
Controversial Substitution and Penalty
Another contentious moment involved Notre Dame’s substitution tactics. The Fighting Irish executed an 11-man substitution, which Smart believed was against the rules. This maneuver led to an offsides penalty against Georgia. Smart remarked, “It’s really unfortunate because I’ve been told by our head officials in the SEC you can’t do that… you can’t run 11 on and 11 off.”
Offensive Challenges
Offensively, Georgia struggled to establish a consistent rhythm. Stockton, making his first start of the season, completed 20 of 32 passes for 234 yards, including a 32-yard touchdown pass to running back Cash Jones in the third quarter. However, the Bulldogs managed only 62 rushing yards and converted just 2 of 12 third-down attempts.
These critical moments and challenges ultimately led to Georgia’s elimination from the College Football Playoff, marking the second consecutive year the Bulldogs fell short of a national title.
For a more in-depth analysis, you can watch Kirby Smart’s breakdown of his aggressive play-calling during the game: