Georgia pass rush not a concern for Kirby Smart

The numbers don’t jump off the page when it comes to the Georgia pass rush.

The Bulldogs have registered four sacks through three games. That mark is tied for 105th in the country (along with Alabama). Only Mississippi State, Ole Miss, and Florida have recorded fewer sacks in the SEC.

Heading into a showdown with the Crimson Tide this weekend, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart isn’t overly concerned about his team’s sack numbers.

“We evaluate it based on opportunities, right? We haven’t had a lot of opportunities,” Smart said. “I think people try to measure those things just on statistics and rankings, and can’t do that. We played a very heavy run team in Tennessee, and a team that we were behind, ultimately. And then the other two opportunities, we had the lowest number of snaps we’ve ever had, didn’t get many opportunities to, and we also subbed out a lot of guys. So I don’t sit here and say, my gosh, I’m so concerned about our pass rush. We’ve got do a better job at everything we do. But I feel good about the rushers we have, and we’ve got to go out and execute. When we get an opportunity to rush, we’ve got to rush.”

The outside linebackers themselves are trying to keep Smart’s mindset.

Quintavius Johnson said the defense makes an effort to focus not on sack numbers, but on each player doing his job each play. But that group is also aware of the standard they have to uphold.

“Something we live off is, do you have the mentality to eat off the floor?” Johnson said. “That’s something that Nolan Smith left in that room. So I feel like just living up to that standard and keep on playing the type of defense that we play.”

Still, sacks can be a huge part of an effective defense. Georgia needs to look no further than last year’s game with Alabama as a reminder.

The Bulldogs had opportunities to bring down Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe for losses. But more often than not, Milroe made plays with his legs as Alabama beat Georgia 41-34.

Smart said the Bulldogs needed to “finish on the quarterback” better in last year’s game. He’s looking forward to seeing how his defensive front does in this year’s matchup with Alabama.

“They’re hungry. They’re ready to get after it. They want the challenge,” Smart said. “I’m excited to see these guys go play. They want an opportunity to go play and get after it. It’s going to be a fun game. They’ve got a really big physical offensive line. They can maul you and bully you. They’re big and they’re physical. They’ve got big, good backs. It’s going to be a great challenge for our front against their line.”