Like Missouri, the Georgia football team is playing under a first-year head coach. Kirby Smart, the former Alabama defensive coordinator, calls the shots for the Bulldogs.
Smart talked to the media after Georgia’s 28-27 victory over the Tigers on Saturday. He discussed the Georgia running game, Barry Odom, Drew Lock and the Missouri team as a whole.
**On Georgia’s running game…**
“We have to find other ways to run the ball, because right now, we can’t run the ball the style of run we want to do. So it’s frustrating … because that’s what we want our identity to be, and if you can’t do that, you struggle. It’s real simple in football.”
**On coach Barry Odom…**
“I take my hat off to Coach Odom. Barry did a great job. Great plan for us, and they really coached their kids well.”
**On Missouri’s defense when Georgia scored the game-winning touchdown…**
“They took a chance. They blitzed us on that play. They had not blitzed much that drive … the only decision that’s right is the one that works, and I probably would’ve blitzed there too. And they got stung on it.”
**On the Southeastern Conference…**
“We’re in a league where there’s good teams. There’s a great parity in our conference, and there’s really good teams. So week in and week out, we’re going to be challenged.”
**On the Missouri team and quarterback Drew Lock…***
“I saw a great team that fought, grew up. Their quarterback, other than a couple bad decisions, he’s a gunslinger. He can throw the ball. He’s a force to be reckoned with. He’s going to be around for a while. [Offensive coordinator] Josh Heupel does a great job offensively. They go fast, and they’re furious at it. Their defense plays really hard.”