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Kirby Smart addresses sideline shove of Mississippi State QB Michael Van Buren

On3 imageby:Andrew Graham•10/12/24•

AndrewEdGraham

NCAA Football: Mississippi State at Georgia
Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Georgia ultimately got a grind-it-out home win over Mississippi State on Saturday evening, but much of the postgame heat is on head coach Kirby Smart.

And it all stems from Smart shoving aside Mississippi State quarterback Michael Van Buren while rushing to argue a call with an official on the Georgia sideline. Van Buren had run out of bounds on to the Bulldogs’ sideline and Smart, trying to get in the official’s ear about some aspect of the play, put his right arm and side into Van Buren, displacing him a few feet.

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After the game, Smart addressed the moment from his perspective.

“I think I was going after [defensive coordinator Glenn] Schumann,” Smart said. “I was trying to get Schumann’s attention. We were trying to change personnel. I think it’s the play they came over to our sideline and trying to get Schumman’s attention. But, no, I don’t really remember it.”

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Smart was not called for a flag on the play. The situation also didn’t escalate, as Van Buren did respond in kind or at all to getting waylaid by Smart.

Smart’s shove was not the only controversial moment in Athens

Mississippi State safety Hunter Washington went down with injury while attempting to call timeout in the first quarter against Georgia. However, based on the reaction from the crowd, some Bulldogs fans are questioning whether the injury was real.

Washington looked to signal for a timeout before falling to the ground and grabbing his leg. He remained down for several moments as trainers tended to him, allowing the Bulldogs some extra time to think before a crucial third-and-1 play.

As a result of the injury, Mississippi State was not charged with a timeout but still effectively got one due to the stoppage in play. That resulted in a chorus of boos from the Georgia crowd. You can view the play below and judge for yourself.

Washington would later return to the game as the injury proved not to be of serous nature. He has recorded two tackles in the game so far as Mississippi State trailed 27-10 at halftime.

A redshirt junior, Washington has been a starter for the Bulldogs defense since 2023. He has six tackles on the season as Mississippi State is still in search of its first SEC win.