Kirby Smart criticizes Georgia for slow start vs. Missouri

It took a bit for Georgia to find its groove on Saturday against Missouri. Georgia head coach Kirby 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,” Smart 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.”

Stetson Bennett has had a big day for Georgia vs. Missouri

Georgia came out of halftime and immediately went on a five play, 60-yard touchdown drive to take a 33-3 lead over Missouri. After that possession, Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett has completed 13 of his 19 passes for 255 yards and two touchdowns. Georgia has also rushed for over 100 yards and two touchdowns as a team.

With presumed starter JT Daniels seemingly ready to return, Bennett has stuck as Georgia’s starting quarterback. Bennett has had his doubters throughout the years, and that has been no different this year. ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit respects Bennett for playing with a chip on his shoulder.

“He has a chip on his shoulder,” Herbstreit said. “Everyone’s told him he sucks. Everyone’s told him, ‘Look at you. What? You’re not the quarterback at Georgia.’ He takes all that personally. I think he’s doing a better job of protecting the ball. … He does just enough wiggle and just enough ‘screw you’ kind of approach that the combination of those two things provides the intangibles that you need, that fit with everything else Georgia has going for them.”