Imagine a high-stakes college football game where a single gesture sparks a firestorm of debate. That’s exactly what happened when Kirby Smart, Georgia’s head coach, found himself at the center of a bizarre timeout controversy during their Week 8 matchup against Auburn. But here’s where it gets controversial: Smart claimed he was merely clapping, not signaling for a timeout, despite video footage that left many scratching their heads. Let’s break it down.
With 13:06 left in the fourth quarter, on a crucial 3rd & 9 at Auburn’s 39-yard-line, the play clock was ticking down. Smart’s actions led officials to initially call a timeout, but after a heated discussion—and Smart’s insistence that he was clapping—the timeout was rescinded, and the play clock reset. Georgia went on to win 20-10, but the incident stole the spotlight.
On the Triple Option Podcast, hosts Urban Meyer, Rob Stone, and Mark Ingram didn’t hold back. Stone sarcastically asked Meyer to demonstrate the difference between a coach clapping and calling a timeout, mocking Smart’s explanation. “Kirby Smart on the sideline trying to say this (mimicking a timeout) is clapping,” Stone quipped. “I don’t hear anything. What a bunch of B.S.” Ingram chimed in, calling Smart “crazy,” though he admitted he wasn’t upset the call went Georgia’s way—especially since Auburn is a rival of his alma mater, Alabama.
And this is the part most people miss: As the play unfolded, Georgia’s left tackle appeared to false start. Was it because the play clock was expiring, or did Auburn’s players simulate a clap, as Smart later suggested? “Weird stuff happens in that weird stadium,” Ingram joked. “Maybe our vision was just a figment of our imagination.”
Stone, however, remained skeptical. While he admired Smart’s persistence in arguing his case, he wasn’t buying the clapping story. “I love that Kirby was out there, still mimicking the clap, putting on a show for anyone who’d listen,” Stone said. Smart later clarified he wasn’t calling a timeout but was instead alerting officials to Auburn’s alleged simulated clap. He insisted his offense would’ve snapped the ball in time, making a timeout unnecessary.
By Monday, Smart stood firm, reiterating his Saturday post-game comments and shifting focus to Georgia’s upcoming top-10 clash with Ole Miss. The game, set for 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC, promises to be a thriller—but the timeout controversy will linger in the minds of fans and analysts alike.
Here’s the real question: Was Kirby Smart’s gesture a clever tactic, a genuine mistake, or something in between? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. And if you think this debate is heated now, just wait until the next time these teams face off. Subscribe to the Daily On3 Newsletter for more insights like this, delivered straight to your inbox every morning. By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter," you agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of your personal information as described.
