Kirby Smart laments first play vs. Tennessee, praises Georgia offense after 1st half

Tennessee didn’t waste any time taking a lead against Georgia as Jaylen Wright took a handoff 75 yards to make an early 7-0 advantage. It wasn’t the start the Bulldogs — especially Kirby Smart — wanted.

They responded well, though, rattling outscoring the Vols 24-3 after that first possession to take a 24-10 lead into the locker room. Georgia dominated the time of possession in the first two quarters, holding the ball for 21 minutes compared to Tennessee’s eight minutes.

Smart noted the offense’s performance and the work taking care of the football, but he still didn’t seem happy about that opening play during his halftime interview with CBS’ Jenny Dell.

“We didn’t play the first play right,” Smart said on his way to the locker room. “But we came out on the next drive and stopped them. Offense has done a good job possessing the ball, but we had a sloppy run fit there on the first play.”

One of Smart’s main messages to his players is to “win each moment,” and that will be the case again in the second half of Saturday’s game at Neyland Stadium. As for how Georgia will do that, Smart said it’s simple.

“Go in here and correct the mistakes, be who we are and win the line of scrimmage,” Smart said.

Carson Beck put up impressive numbers in the first half, completing 17 of 20 passes for 210 yards and two touchdowns to lead the charge. Dillon Bell also got in on the action on a trick play, connecting with Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint for an 18-yard touchdown, as well.

Led by Beck, along with healthy pieces such as Ladd McConkey and Brock Bowers, it looks like Georgia is finding a rhythm on offense. Former Florida quarterback and current SEC Network analyst Tim Tebow gave the credit to new offensive coordinator Mike Bobo, who has the offense on an upward trajectory.

“They’re just getting better and better, I feel like, with what coach Bobo’s doing offensively. I mean they are adapting,” Tebow said. “First of all, they’re mauling people up front. They’re protecting the quarterback. They’re using motions and schemes to either use Brock [Bowers] as a go-to guy or a decoy guy. Either way it’s effective.

“Ladd’s getting healthy. You’re also getting other playmakers involved, like three running backs, Rara Thomas, so many other guys, Oscar Delp, Dominic Lovett, so many other guys that are making plays for him out wide.”