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WATCH: Referee hot mic catches Kirby Smart yelling expletives

SimonGibbs_UserImageby:Simon Gibbs•11/06/21•

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James Gilbert/Getty Images.

Kirby Smart and the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs got off to a bit of a slow start against Missouri, and though they lead 40-3, Smart is frustrated with the sloppy start.

Late in the second quarter, Georgia was driving into Missouri territory when the Bulldogs picked up a sloppy penalty, and Smart was livid. A Georgia offensive lineman had a bit of a miscommunication with the playcall, and after the play was ruled dead, he was flagged. But as the referee turned on his microphone to broadcast the ineligible receiver downfield call, he turned it on a bit too soon — and Smart’s choice words were picked up loud and clear.

“Come off the f— ball!” Smart yelled, which was heard loud and clear by not just the stadium’s attendees but all of America watching the game.

Smart’s explicit language after the penalty was one of many moments in which the head coach showed his frustration with Georgia’s start. During his halftime interview, Smart again expressed clear anger towards the Bulldogs’ start.

Smart criticizes Georgia for slow start vs. Missouri

It took a bit for Georgia to find its groove on Saturday against Missouri, and Smart was not happy with some of the self-inflicted wounds he saw from the Bulldogs early in the first half.

After Georgia and Missouri both punted on their first possessions of the game, the Tigers took a 3-0 lead with a field goal midway through the first quarter. But Georgia struck back with a touchdown drive to take a 7-3 lead. The Bulldogs then blocked a punt for a safety and scored another touchdown shortly after, and scored on every possession from then until the end of the first half.

But Smart wasn’t thrilled with what he saw early on against Missouri. At halftime, sideline reporter Katie Georgia interviewed Smart, who said Georgia needs to continue being explosive on offense.

“Explosives,” he said. “We want to be explosive in the run. Did a little better job blocking them up front and they’re coming after us. We’re trying to take advantage of it with some shots.”

Smart was very animated on the sidelines at times. He said that that came from Georgia making mistakes that allowed Missouri to stick around.

“Penalties,” Smart said of what caused his animation. “Shooting ourselves in the foot. We shouldn’t be penalized. Come out, be sharp, be crisp. Execute. Make them stop us.”