Kirby Smart’s Fourth-Down Gamble Backfires in Sugar Bowl Loss to Ole Miss
A failed fourth-and-2 gamble that set up a quick Ole Miss touchdown is drawing national scrutiny of Kirby Smart’s game management.
Overview
- Facing fourth-and-2 at its own 33, Georgia pulled the punt team and had Gunner Stockton take the snap, only for Suntarine Perkins to strip and recover the ball with 9:31 remaining.
- Ole Miss converted the short field two plays later on Trinidad Chambliss’s touchdown to Harrison Wallace III, then added a two-point conversion for a 34-24 lead.
- Smart leaned on aggression throughout, hitting a fake punt in the third quarter and later converting a fourth-and-9 to set up a tying field goal before Georgia ultimately lost 39-34.
- National broadcaster Sean McDonough questioned the fourth-down decision on air, underscoring the mounting criticism of the call.
- Chambliss set a Sugar Bowl record with 13 consecutive completions and surpassed 300 passing yards with two touchdowns.