Kirby Smart Defends Risky Play Call That Led to Notre Dame TD Before Half
In a high-stakes Sugar Bowl game, Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart made a bold and controversial decision just before halftime that ultimately backfired, allowing Notre Dame to extend their lead with a touchdown. With 39 seconds remaining in the second quarter and Georgia trailing 6-3, Smart chose to keep the pressure on, opting for an aggressive two-minute drill instead of playing it safe and heading to the locker room.
The decision came with high stakes—Georgia was down by just three points and had a chance to seize momentum. However, the gamble quickly unraveled when backup quarterback Gunner Stockton, filling in for injured starter Carson Beck, was sacked on the very first play of the drive. Stockton fumbled the ball, and Notre Dame’s defense was quick to capitalize, recovering the ball and setting up a short field.
Just moments later, Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard threw a touchdown pass to Beaux Collins, giving the Fighting Irish a 13-3 lead heading into the break. Smart, however, stood by his choice to take risks, arguing that trailing teams are better off being aggressive and attempting to capitalize on every opportunity.
“I’m always going to make a decision based on what I think is best for the team,” Smart explained after the game. “When you’re down, you can’t afford to give up possessions. The analytics say you should take those chances, and that’s what we decided to do.”
Despite Smart’s defense of the decision, the results were clear—Georgia’s momentum had shifted, and Notre Dame would carry that energy into the second half.
The Bulldogs couldn’t recover, and the Fighting Irish pulled away for a 23-10 victory.
Smart’s decision has sparked plenty of debate among fans and analysts. Some argue that playing it safe might have been the wiser move, especially with the game still within reach. Others, however, support his aggressive approach, pointing to the fact that in football, sometimes the boldest decisions can lead to the biggest rewards—or the most significant setbacks.
In the end, Smart’s gamble didn’t pay off, and Notre Dame’s defense seized the opportunity to make a statement. The Bulldogs’ loss ended their hopes of a playoff berth, while Notre Dame advanced to the College Football Playoff semifinal.
