Kirby Smart addresses Ladd McConkey's snap count in return

After almost a month of missing games, Georgia receiver Ladd McConkey returned to action and immediately picked up where he left off, having a major impact for the Bulldogs.

He wasn’t necessarily on a set snap count against Auburn, though coach Kirby Smart admitted he wasn’t ever going to play the whole game.

“I mean full go, but he can’t play every snap,” Smart said. “I mean you don’t practice you can’t go out there in that heat and play. So it was a situational deal, we were going to put him in and do some run plays with him in. Put him in, do some pass.”

Georgia actually found itself locked into a tight game against Auburn, so McConkey’s contributions were quite valuable.

He finished with four catches for 38 yards in his return, offering an additional option in the passing game for quarterback Carson Beck.

“I mean third down he was big,” Smart said. “He runs certain routes really well. We’re going to use him as freely as we need to.”

Ladd McConkey will be a huge weapon once he’s fully healthy and has caught up on his conditioning. He has been a major factor in the passing game for the past two years, aiding in each of Georgia’s national title runs.

In his career, McConkey has recorded 93 catches for 1,247 yards and 12 touchdowns. He has also added 178 yards rushing and three touchdowns on the ground.

Kirby Smart praises Carson Beck’s composure

Georgia found itself in a tougher-than-expected game against Auburn deep into the second half, which meant quarterback Carson Beck was under a microscope.

He managed to deliver perfectly, leading several drives that ultimately kept Georgia undefeated.

“Composure mission. It’s what it was: Composure mission. This team had not been on the road. This young man had not played in this environment,” Smart said, gesturing to Beck standing to his left. “And we tried to help them. When you turn the ball over, you help people. We just kept fighting and kept bumping. I was proud of them. When you win on the road in the SEC, I don’t care who it is or where it is, it’s hard to do.”

Beck finished the game 23-of-33 passing for 313 yards with a touchdown and an interception.