Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include new information.
Georgia coach Kirby Smart somehow avoided an ejection on Saturday as his Bulldogs took on Mississippi State in Athens.
On the broadcast, Smart seemed to get so heated in an argument with an official during the game that he either unknowingly or intentionally pushed Mississippi State quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. out of the way to keep going at the referee.
While Georgia took care of business in the game, winning 41-31, Smart could’ve potentially been ejected for making this kind of brash contact with a player on the other team.
Somehow, Smart avoided even a flag.
While we’re not sure how the referees missed this while Smart was arguing with one of them, it’s definitely possible the Georgia coach gets slapped with a hefty fine for making aggressive contact with Van Buren, even if it was an accident.
We won’t speculate on the intention, but this is a bad look for Smart.
Kirby Smart shoves Mississippi State QB Michael Van Buren while arguing with official.
(via @SECNetwork)https://t.co/3JH351c7HR pic.twitter.com/zHYpnyClCg
— On3 (@On3sports) October 12, 2024
As The Clarion-Ledger‘s Sam Sklar reported, Mississippi State coach Jeff Lebby had no response because he hadn’t seen the replay.
Jeff Lebby: “I haven’t seen it. No response on that.” pic.twitter.com/xTwBbZGMPY
— Sam Sklar (@sklarsam_) October 13, 2024
After the game was over, Smart was asked about the incident (at 9:20 in the video).
He claimed he was trying to get defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann’s attention for a personnel change in the moment and that he didn’t remember the specific incident in question.
