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Kirby Smart calls out defense for first half vs. Alabama

IMG_0985by: Griffin McVeigh09/28/25griffin_mcveigh
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Sep 6, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart on the field against the Austin Peay Governors in the fourth quarter at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

In a game where offensive possessions are scarce, Alabama found a way to be incredibly effective. Five drives resulted in four scores for a total of 24 points. Head coach Kalen DeBoer could not have scripted a better start for his team, up by 10 at the break.

The opposite can be said about Kirby Smart. Before going into the halftime locker room, he called out the Georgia defense for their performance. Specifically, the inability to get a stop on third down. Some praise for Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson sprinkled in there from Smart, similar to his pregame thoughts.

“We can’t get off the field on third down,” Smart told ESPN’s Laura Rutledge. “We’ve got no chance to get off the field on third down. They’re executing better than we’re playing. And their quarterback is really hot, doing a great job. We can’t get off the field on third down.”

Alabama is nine of 11 on third down. One unsuccessful conversion turned into a field goal, while the other saw the Crimson Tide punt the ball back to Georgia. It’s been incredibly efficient from Alabama in massive moments, dealing with a loud Sanford Stadium.

Smart also got asked about the touchdown drive Simpson led at the end. At first, many thought Alabama might come away with a field goal. Instead, a few crazy plays — including an 11-yard completion to left tackle Kadyn Proctor — got them into the end zone. It’s not something Smart seemed too proud of at the time.

“The end there, we didn’t play good two-minute defense,” Smart said. “They drove the ball down, made a big score.”

If Georgia is going to mount any kind of comeback, the defense needs to put together a few stops. Yes, Smart wants to see his offense produce a little more too. But for the time being, Alabama is moving the ball up and down the field a little too effectively.

Getting those third-down stops might help. A little more Blake Doud might make the home crowd happy, someone who saw just once in the first half.

Smart is well-known for being able to fire up a team in a big-time matchup. Some passion might come from the Georgia head coach to amp up his defense moving forward. Sanford Stadium continues to be one of the more electric atmospheres out there, just needing the on-field energy to match what’s happening in the stands.