Kirby Smart goes off on officiating, ESPN following win over Texas: 'They try to rob us with calls'
In a defiant, triumphant postgame interview after a 30-15 road win over top-ranked Texas, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart didn’t shy away from the controversy of the day: The officials flip-flopping on a pass interference penalty.
That flag, which would’ve kept Georgia’s offense in possession had it stood, was picked up only after the penalty was announced, the return taken back and fans threw debris on the field. After the game, Smart was blunt in how he addressed it.
“You know, these players get the best out of me. And I’m so proud of these guys. Because nobody believed. Nobody gave us a chance. Your whole network doubted us. Nobody believed us. And then they try to rob us, with calls, in this place and these guys are so resilient,” Smart said. “We talked about intent. What was our intent when we walked on the field? Our intent was not to take pictures, not to do all the superstar stuff. Our intent was to eat. Our intent was to come eat. And be hungry. I’m not interested in all the bells and whistles. What I want is a team that fights their ass off and they did tonight.”
Smart also was presumably upset with a pair of targeting calls and ejections on Georgia defenders late in the game.
He also gave props to quarterback Carson Beck for his composure and the whole team for responding.
“I thought Carson had great composure all day. He had four drops to start the game and it didn’t rattle the kid. He threw interceptions, it didn’t rattle the kid. The guys a great player. He takes undue criticism and all he does is lead our team. This was a team victory. Offense, defense, special teams in a tough place to play,” Smart said.
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He also credited the defense, which he said woke up after getting “embarrassed” a week prior.
“Our defense was embarrassed the week before, but we really played really well,” Smart said. “So when you play really well and you still get embarrassed, we were able to get their attention and I thought they woke up and played really hard today.”
The call Smart referenced was plenty controversial
With Georgia in possession late in the third quarter, Beck targeted wideout Arian Smith down the left sideline. Smith had made contact and turned inside while defender Jahdae Barron held his ground. There was contact from both parties, and the bail sailed into Barron’s arms before he returned it inside the 10.
But a flag was down: Defensive pass interference on Barron.
The call immediately drew the ire of Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian and the approval of Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart. Fans hurled debris on the field.
And then, after a lengthy discussion — in part allowed by the delay cause by fans throwing debris on the field — the roles were reversed as the officials announced there was, actually, no penalty on the play. Smart was enraged and Sarkisian cooly prepared his offense to strike.
Shortly after, Texas scored a touchdown to cut the lead to one score.