Kirby Smart attempts to clear the air on viral ‘fake timeout’ in Georgia’s win over Auburn
Kirby Smart was trying to get the refs to call a penalty on Auburn.
Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart is going viral for calling a “fake timeout” in the team’s 20-1o win over the Auburn Tigers on Sunday.
For viewers watching, Smart was spotted sprinting down the sidelines, making an obvious timeout signal with his hands, but when the referee called it, he completely switched up and said he was just clapping.
The clock stopped; however, the referee took his word and gave Georgia their timeout back.
Following the win, Smart attempted to clear the air and say that an Auburn player was clapping, which should have been an instant penalty.
“I didn’t need a timeout because we were going to get it off before the shot clock,” Smart said. “I wanted them to call it because it’s a penalty. “
Smart also noted that he had someone in the booth watching for Auburn’s clapping on every snap before getting the referee’s attention.
Clips of the moment going viral do show an Auburn defender clearly clapping.
In the rules of football, defensive players are banned from clapping to avoid simulating the offensive snap or interfering with the offense. If a defensive player claps and then causes an offensive player to false start, a 5-yard penalty is enforced for a disconcerting signal.
Georgia Bulldogs Rally to Victory in Second Half
The Bulldogs didn’t look like a winning team heading into halftime during the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry’s 130th meeting.
But the way they responded after falling behind 10 points made up for the ugly.
To sum things up, Georgia’s defense forced three consecutive three-and-outs and held the Tigers to just 40 yards, while the offense scored on two of its first three drives of the second half.
Quarterback Gunner Stockton ultimately proved doubters wrong once again, completing 65 percent of his passes for 217 yards. Stockton also rushed for the game-sealing touchdown in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.
When asked after the victory what Smart told his players, he kept that between them.
“I’m not allowed to say that,” Smart said. “I did one time and I got reprimanded by my mother.”
The Bulldogs are now 5-1 and will return home next to host the undefeated Ole Miss Rebels.
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