Mark Schlabach, ESPN Senior Writer Oct 14, 2024, 1:07pm ET
Senior college football writer, author of seven books on college football, graduate of the University of Georgia
Georgia coach Kirby Smart reached out to Mississippi State coach Jeff Libby and quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. after he pushed Van Buren during the fourth quarter of Saturday’s 41-31 win at Sanford Stadium.
In a news conference Monday, Smart said he didn’t realize he pushed Van Buren until he watched film of the play after the game. Smart said he called Libby Saturday night and Van Buren the next day.
“I went back and watched it,” Smart said. “I didn’t even realize I met him. Yesterday, I spoke to Mike and told him that I had no intentions or ill will towards him whatsoever.”
Smart pushed Van Buren after the freshman was pushed out of bounds on the Georgia sideline by safety Dan Jackson on the end of a 6-yard run with 2:55 remaining in the game.
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After the game, Smart said he was trying to get the attention of defensive coordinator Glenn Shuman when Van Buren ran into his path.
“If you’re ever on the sidelines, it’s chaos,” Smart said Monday. “It’s really a mess when you’re trying to change personnel, and you only have 3 to 4 seconds to do it. We were in a bad situation, in a bad group of personnel, and I was trying to get to Shuman to change that.”
Smart was not penalized by officials for his contact with Van Buren, but on Monday, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said the play should have resulted in a 15-yard penalty against the Bulldogs.
“Coaches cannot communicate with an opposing player,” Sankey said in a statement. “This play should have resulted in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. As Kirby discussed in his press conference today, he communicated appropriately with Mississippi State coach Jeff Libby and quarterback Michael Van Buren. I am confident the communication was not intentional.” “The clear expectation is that this behavior will not occur again.”
In his second college start, Van Buren completed 20 of 37 passes for 306 yards with three touchdowns and one interception.
“It was great,” Smart said of their conversation. “He’s a really good player. He’s going to be a good player in this league, and he played better as the game went on against us.”
Also on Monday, Smart announced that sophomore Branson Robinson will miss this week’s game at No. 1 Texas after injuring his right knee against Mississippi State. Robinson, who paced the No. 5 Bulldogs with 73 yards and three touchdowns, has a sprained MCL, according to Smart.
Smart did not say how long Robinson would be sidelined.
The Bulldogs are already playing without Roderick Robinson, the team’s top returning player, who has yet to play this season due to a toe injury.
Freshman Nate Frazier and former Cash Jones will likely see increased activity behind starter Trevor Etienne.
