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Kirby Smart sniffs out Ohio State’s fake punt, barely gets timeout called on crucial 4th down

Paul Harvey

By Paul Harvey

Published:

Kirby Smart delivered a clutch timeout if there is such a thing in the fourth quarter of the Peach Bowl. Trailing Ohio State by double digits, Georgia had forced the Buckeyes into a 4th-and-1 in Ohio State’s own territory.

Determined to leave everything on the table, Ryan Day dialed up a fake punt with the snap going directly to Mitch Rossi. Rossie converted easily, gaining enough yards for a new set of downs.

There was just one problem. Smart and the Bulldog coaching staff had sniffed out the play design with the head coach getting a timeout called just before the snap.

Here’s how close the timeout came just before the snap:

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In fairness, Smart does appear to get the timeout in before the snap occurred, but it is a brutal blow for the Buckeyes. Instead of the first down, Day and Ohio State punted the ball away.

Shortly after regaining possession, Georgia scored a huge touchdown to set up a big-time finish in Atlanta. The Buckeyes are clinging to a 3-point lead and are trying to put the game away late.

Paul Harvey

Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.