Kirby Smart downplays another massive call that went in favor of Georgia Bulldogs in huge SEC rivalry win over Florida Gators
Florida Gators wide receiver attempted catch ruled incomplete in controversial call that set up the win for Georgia Bulldogs
The Georgia Bulldogs did it again. They trailed the Florida Gators for much of the huge rivalry game on Saturday, but when it mattered most, Kirby Smart got the most out of his players late in the fourth quarter as Georgia defeated their SEC foe 24-20.
However, once again, Georgia found itself amid yet another officiating controversy. And once again, Kirby Smart downplayed what was the most pivotal outcome of the game when asked about it in his press conference following the game.
Kirby Smart downplays officiating controversy in Georgia win over Florida
For those who may have somehow missed it, Florida was driving with about three minutes to go in the game, immediately following the Bulldogs’ go-ahead touchdown from running back Chauncey Bowens. Florida QB DJ Lagway heaved the ball deep downfield after a busted Bulldogs coverage on the back end. Veteran Gators wide receiver J Michael Sturdivant fell forward back towards the ball and got his hands just underneath it to secure the field-flipping pass. Or did he?
Officials ruled the pass incomplete initially as it looked like the ball hit the ground between the receiver’s arms, but upon further review most everyone – outside of Georgia Bulldogs fans and apparently the SEC officiating crew – could see that it looked like Sturdivant actually got his hands under the ball and secured it for a catch (as you can see in the angle below).
Fortunately for Georgia fans, the evidence for the catch or non-catch wasn’t quite clear enough to overturn the initial incomplete ruling. Shortly after, Georgia took over on offense and went on to drain the rest of the clock, winning in dramatic fashion as the Bulldogs have done in what seems like every single game this year.
Smart was asked about the play after the game, and just like his “clapping” incident, when he was clearly calling a timeout and the goal line fumble controversy against Auburn, he completely shrugged it off:
“Oh, I saw a wide open [J Michael Sturdivant],” Smart said. “We had a busted coverage. We had a guy that’s supposed to be in the half who got the wrong signal and played the wrong defense. We had nobody back there. We’re insanely lucky that number one, he didn’t score, but also that he didn’t catch it. I didn’t see anything. I don’t know [if he caught it]. I can’t tell. That’s [the officials] job.”
Just this week, Georgia was called out for being on the positive end of two of the “worst officiating calls of the 2025 college football season.” Sturdivant’s “non-catch” will certainly be added to that list by those who want to doubt the Bulldogs and their success this season.
Regardless, the Bulldogs just keep finding ways to win. They’re now 7-1, and despite the fact that four of their SEC wins have come down to late-game heroics, Smart has his team in prime position to get back to the College Football Playoff. People will hate them for that, but that’s okay. Let them. All Georgia does is keep winning, and it doesn’t seem like that’s changing any time soon.
We’ll be back with more Georgia Bulldogs coverage here at A to Z Sports soon! Follow me (@FF_TravisM) and A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) on X for all the latest football news!
This article was originally published on A to Z Sports Georgia Bulldogs, as Kirby Smart downplays another massive call that went in favor of Georgia Bulldogs in huge SEC rivalry win over Florida Gators.
