Tue Oct 15 12:20:00 UTC 2024: ## Georgia Coach Apologizes for Shoving Mississippi State QB, SEC Confirms Penalty Should Have Been Called

**ATHENS, GA** – Georgia head coach Kirby Smart has apologized for shoving Mississippi State quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. during Saturday’s game, admitting he didn’t realize he’d made contact until reviewing film.

“I didn’t even realize that I had run into him,” Smart said at a press conference on Monday. “Yesterday, I talked to Mike and told him that I had no intentions or ill will toward him at all.”

The incident occurred in the fourth quarter when Van Buren was pushed out of bounds by Georgia safety Dan Jackson. As Van Buren ran towards the Georgia sideline, Smart shoved him, seemingly trying to get the attention of defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann to change personnel.

While Smart wasn’t penalized for the incident, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey confirmed that a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty should have been called.

“Coaches cannot make contact with an opposing player,” Sankey stated. “This play should have resulted in enforcement of an unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty… I am confident the contact was not intentional, and the clear expectation is this conduct will not happen again.”

Van Buren, who had a strong performance in his second collegiate start, was gracious about the incident and expressed his respect for Smart.

“He was great,” Smart said of their conversation. “He’s a really good player. He’s going to be a good player in this league, and he played better as the game went on against us.”

Meanwhile, Georgia faces another blow as sophomore running back Branson Robinson will miss this week’s game against No. 1 Texas after injuring his right knee against Mississippi State. Smart confirmed Robinson has a sprained MCL but did not specify how long he will be sidelined.

The Bulldogs are already without Roderick Robinson, their top returning rusher, who has missed the entire season due to a toe injury. The team will rely on freshman Nate Frazier and former walk-on Cash Jones to fill the void behind starter Trevor Etienne.

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