Back to the Georgia Bulldogs Newsfeed

Georgia's Smart defends 'aggressive' play calls that backfired in CFP loss

NEW ORLEANS -- Locked in a defensive struggle in which neither team gained 300 yards, Georgia coach Kirby Smart made an aggressive but ill-fated decision late in the first half of the Sugar Bowl.

Right after Notre Dame took a 6-3 lead on a 48-yard field goal, Smart had untested sophomore quarterback Gunner Stockton drop back to pass from his 25-yard line with 38 seconds left instead of running out the clock. Defensive end RJ Oben broke through for a strip-sack, and the Fighting Irish's Junior Tuihalamaka fell on the ball at the Bulldogs 13.