Kirby Smart Explains 'Misfire' on Georgia's Crucial 4th-Down Attempt vs. Ole Miss

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart took responsibility for the fourth-down play late in the fourth quarter that wound up playing a crucial role in his team's 39-34 loss to Mississippi in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Kirby explained the "misfire" that gave Ole Miss possession deep in Georgia territory that it turned into a touchdown to open up a 34-24 lead.

"We had a misfire there," Smart said. "The ball was not supposed to be snapped in that situation. That's on us as coaches."

Trailing 27-24 with under 10 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs had a fourth-and-2 from their own 33-yard line. The punt team initially came onto the field, but an injury timeout led to Smart sending his offense back out there.

Full Ole Miss Rebels - Georgia Bulldogs Highlights

03:58

Gunner Stockton took the snap and was immediately pressured by an unblocked Suntarine Perkins, who tackled him for the snap and forced a turnover on downs.

Harrison Wallace III caught a 13-yard touchdown pass from Trinidad Chambliss two plays later to put Ole Miss up by 10. Georgia missed an opportunity to take the lead after failing to get into the end zone after having a first-and-goal with 1:08 remaining, but it was able to tie the game with a field goal and seemed set up for overtime.

Instead, Chambliss found De'Zhaun Stribling for a gain of 40 on third-and-5 with 26 seconds remaining to set up Lucas Carneiro's go-ahead field goal with one second remaining.

Mississippi got an extra two points when Georgia's attempt at a lateral on the ensuing kickoff resulted in the ball being thrown out of the back of the Bulldogs' own end zone.

Georgia looked like it had taken control of the game in the second quarter with three touchdowns to take a 21-12 lead going into halftime.

After a relatively quiet third quarter in which the two teams combined for 10 points, the fourth quarter saw a total of 30 points scored.

The 39 points for Mississippi were the second-most allowed by Georgia in a game this season, trailing only the 41 put up by Tennessee on Sept. 13. It's also the most points allowed by the Bulldogs in a bowl game since the 2022 College Football Playoff semifinal against Ohio State (41).