ATHENS – Kirby Smart was asked about his knock on a shoe thrown at the end of the LSU-Florida game on a much-discussed personal foul penalty of the season.
The play, in which Marco Wilson on the Gators’ defensive back was throwing a tight end Cole Taylor’s shoe at LSU 29 in the third and 6 short in the short term, led the Tigers to a game-winning 57-yard field goal in a 37-34 victory over The Swamp. .
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Hisman Trophy nominee Kyle Tresk turned the ball three times and threw the third Peak-6 of the season, and as time ran out Florida kicker Evan missed a 51-yard field goal.
But a lot of the talk revolves around the phenomenon of strange thrown shoes.
While there are no smart Florida fans, surely, some will be surprised to hear that the Georgia head coach did not enjoy watching the Gators player make emotional jokes about football.
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“I hate him for Marco because he’s a great kid – he’s a kid we’ve recruited, “said Smart.” I’ve known him for a long time. His dad is a high school coach in the Miami area. He’s a really good footballer. The player is, and it’s tough, it’s unfortunate.
“Hopefully, he’ll learn by mistake and some teams can do it because no coach wants to see a game decided by such things.”
Florida coach Dan Mullen said immediately after the game that he had not seen the play.
On Sunday, Mullen said he would talk to Wilson about the game after the game.
“Obviously, I know he’s disappointed, but, you know, I mean he’s embarrassed,” Mullen said at the SEC Championship Game teleconference. “I went back to see the play and he carried it and I mean a part of the football move the kid’s shoe was in his hand and he kind of threw and jumped and celebrated with his fellow players. So it is very unfortunate. “
Smart said Georgia spends time every week showing penalty clips to remind the Bulldogs players what can happen when they lose discipline on the field.
“E.On very Thursdays and Fridays, we show situational football analysis and try to teach our players about the different players in the game and we try to learn from experiences across the country, ”said Smart. “We use that situation to say, ‘Hey, look, this guy is celebrating and he had to get out 15 yards later. See what it costs for them. They returned it and kicked the field goal and won the game.
“Every time you have a learning moment from which kids can learn, do the best you can to show it, and hopefully, it reaches home with one person.”
