Kirby Smart says Georgia needs to assert control in run game to beat Auburn

Shortly before Georgia took a 20-17 lead over Auburn early in the fourth quarter in Jordan-Hare Stadium, head coach Kirby Smart shared his assessment of what his team needs to come away with a win. It starts and stops with running the ball.

Smart, speaking with CBS sideline reporter Jenny Dell, said his team needs to be able to run the ball and stop the run. At that point, the Bulldogs were running it up to snuff, but Smart wanted more from the defense, among other things.

“Well you run the ball and you stop the run. We’re running the ball, but we’re not really stopping the run. We’ve gotta force them and get the ball back for our offense and try to stay in rhythm. Can’t turn the ball over,” Smart said.

Holding a tenuous three-point lead, Georgia’s first of the game, Smart will be looking to his run game and run defense to close the door on Auburn. However, the Auburn offense made quick work, coming out and marching down the field to set up a game-tying field goal with fewer than seven minutes remaining.

One way or another, Smart seems intent to end this game by winning in the trenches.

Smart wasn’t exactly pleased with his team at the half

It took Georgia a while to get going in the first half on Saturday, letting Auburn out to a 10-0 lead in front of a raucous home crowd. And after the Bulldogs clawed back 10 points to even the score before halftime, Smart didn’t think his team got rattled.

He just thought they didn’t play all that well. He explained the composure on his sideline to CBS sideline reporter Jenny Dell.

“I wouldn’t say they rattled us, I think we’ve had great composure. It’s a great environment for college football. I don’t think our team’s rattled. We’ve just gotta play better,” Smart said.

As for quarterback Carson Beck, making his first start in a truly hostile road environment, Smart was content with his first half performance.

Beck was 7-for-13 for 77 yards and threw an interception that set up Auburn’s touchdown. But overall, Smart was pleased with his decision making — some throws and catches just need to be cleaned up.

“Well he’s hit a couple shots that we missed and then he’s had a couple of them that were overthrows,” Smart said. “… I love his composure though. He makes good decisions with the ball.”