Kirby Smart took a gamble that paid off big time on Saturday in the fourth quarter of Georgia’s game against Texas.
No. 5 Georgia led No. 10 Texas by 11 after scoring a touchdown in the opening minute of the final period at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga. With the Longhorns already focused on having to answer with a score of their own, the Bulldogs picked the perfect opportunity to execute a surprise onside kick.
Georgia linebacker Cole Jones recovered possession near midfield, sending the crowd and Smart himself into a frenzy.
KIRBY SMART IN HIS BAG pic.twitter.com/9yYE99QWHg
— Gump Cathcart (@bubbagumpino) November 16, 2025
The recovery had several fans praising Smart for making such a ballsy call — emphasis on ballsy.
Kirby Smart lets his nuts hang
— CFBTalkDaily (@CFBTalkDaily) November 16, 2025
Surprise onside kick
He’s coaching circles around Sark pic.twitter.com/QGQjUjour0
Good Grief.
— Big Blue Rando_HPS (@allUKball) November 16, 2025
Kirby Smart got a set of 🥜 on him. pic.twitter.com/BXBXR7hLft
Sark in every big game gets out coached . There is a reason Georgia is always top 5 playing for a Natty! Kirby Smart has balls and nuts and goes for it! Sark never does anything and his play calling is vanilla! Great coaches win big games . Good coaches lose them @TexasFootball
— MR (@reichek3bball) November 16, 2025
Kirby Smart tonight: pic.twitter.com/xZ7EyEvRKB
— vacca (fantasy champion) (@VaquitaDawg) November 16, 2025
I LOVE KIRBY SMART SO MUCH I LOVE HIM HE IS MY HERO I LOVE HIM HIS GIANT BALLS I LOVE HIM
— Sarah(Daw)G (@sarahg1561) November 16, 2025
Smart’s bold call virtually propelled the Bulldogs to victory. Georgia took full advantage of the recovered onside kick by scoring a touchdown a few plays later. The home team iced the game with another TD on its next drive.
Georgia outscored Texas 21-0 in the final quarter, with the recovered onside kick serving as the knockout blow in the match between two SEC heavyweights.
