Live Updates: Kirby Smart at Georgia vs. Ball State media day

ATHENS, Ga. — Georgia is 1-0 on the 2023 season after a partially sloppy 48-7 win over FCS opponent UT-Martin on Saturday. The win gave Georgia 18 in a row dating back to the 2021 season and the Bulldogs have been victorious in 34 of their last 35 games if you go back to 2020.

This week’s opponent is Ball State with kickoff set for 12 p.m. ET on The SEC Network. Georgia is, as expected, a heavy favorite. BSU lost to Kentucky in its season opener and that program is no stranger to playing SEC programs.

Before all of that goes down, Kirby Smart will meet with reporters on Monday for his regularly scheduled media day press conference. DawgsHQ has boots on the ground and we’ll be offering up live updates on what the eighth-year head coach has to say in the space below. Use the refresh button on your browser to see those as they roll in.

*** Smart says that he has a lot of respect for the MAC conference and he looks back at the Kent State game last year as how that league can be challenging.

*** Smart says that UT-Martin did some unconventional things that hampered what Georgia wanted to do on the offensive line. Says that it was probably more that than the offensive line not playing well. Adjustments were made and it got better.

*** Smart is asked about finding rhythm on defense and says that the only way he can think to do that is force three-and-out after three-and-out. Otherwise it’s not easy and it’s “havoc-related” more so than anything else.

*** E.J. Lightsey is dealing with an injury. Smart says it’s shoulder pain and back pain from a high school injury. Says that they are hoping to get him back soon.

*** “I hold walk-ons in the highest regard and as we recruit them, we tell them that they won’t be recruited any differently,” Smart says when asked about walk-ons. Says that those guys may not get the first shot but they do get a shot. He points to Prather Hudson and how he earned his way to a scholarship by being effective against the defense in practice.

*** Smart says that the play before the half where Georgia ran the ball on first down and had to spike it after was a “bad deal.” He didn’t mention who made the call but said it was a result of not realizing how close they were to the goal line. Said they thought they were closer and it’s a learning opportunity.

*** Smart says that Jarvis Jones reckless driving charge will be handled, it’s a personnel matter, and he won’t comment on it any further.

*** Smart says that Ladd McConkey is “day-to-day.” The staff thought that he could have gone on Saturday but he didn’t feel very good the night before and the next morning so they held him out. Says that the back pain is lingering. Also says that Daijun Edwards probably could have gone on Saturday but was held out.

*** On Earnest Greene — Smart says that Greene had some struggles on Saturday but it’s important to remember that it was Greene’s first game ever. He didn’t play at all last year and hadn’t played since high school and that’s easy to forget because he has seen him out there for spring and preseason camp and it feels like he has been around longer.

*** Smart says that it is “killing” Kendall Milton not to be out there. That he’s dying to get back out on the field and it has been tough for him to stay warm with the hamstring injury. He doesn’t have “camp stamina” yet because he hasn’t been able to get in playing shape because of the injury.

*** Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint will play against Ball State according to Smart. He says that Rosemy-Jacksaint’s leadership is huge and he’s excited to get him back. Smart says that today’s practice for Rosemy-Jacksaint will be like the Super Bowl.

*** Smart says that Smael Mondon is close to being back to full speed. He says that Mondon feels good and feels healthy. It’s all about him getting in shape at this point and “he looks good out there.” Said Mondon was cleared this week and they wanted to be as safe as they could.