As Georgia was in the final moments of wrapping up its 33-24 win over North Carolina Saturday night in the Georgia Dome, defensive back Maurice Smith was busy exhorting the Bulldog fans in the stands.
It was as much for him as it was to celebrate the first victory of Kirby Smart’s head coaching career.
“I felt like I needed to express it, especially with what I’ve been through,” Smith said after the game. “I just wanted to let the fans know that I’m proud to be here and to be a Bulldog.”
The former Alabama player certainly left a positive mark.
After being told on Thursday that he had earned the starting spot at Star over Rico McGraw, Smith went out and played like one, tying for second with five tackles and leading the way with two of the team’s four pass breakups.
“It was a blessing just to be given a shot and play with those guys,” said Smith, who spoke with reporters for the first time since being allowed to come to Georgia as a graduate transfer. “It was a lot of motivation because I hadn’t played that much at Alabama. It was great being out there.”
According to Smart, the decision to start Smith was earned and not given.
“The decision boiled down to how you practice,” Smart said. “We tell our players all the time, we put a lot of value in practice, so Mo is a really hard practice player. He believes in doing it right. He believes in being physical and I’ve been fortunate enough to see that for three years, and then he did that when he arrived. He’s a competitor. He’s a good leader. That gave him – and he knew the system … so he’s very comfortable out there.”
It was that familiarity with Georgia’s defense which Smith said allowed him to adapt so quickly. The senior said the Bulldogs’ defensive scheme matches “about 70 percent” of what is used at Alabama. But learning the other 30 percent was no picnic.
“It’s kind of alike in some ways but it was still a grind,” said Smith. “I had to come up here with a limited amount of time and I really had to study the playbook but in the end I did what I did and the coaches gave me a chance that able to take advantage of.
By now, Smith’s story should be a familiar one, including his fight to ultimately earn his release from Alabama to gaining the approval of the SEC to enroll at Georgia as a graduate transfer, arriving in Athens two weeks into fall camp.
Smith’s entire family was at the Georgia Dome to watch him make his Bulldog debut.
“I love them for it. This is what I’ve been waiting for and what I came here for,” Smith said. “I’ve always wanted a starting spot and the fact there were here to see my first performance in person was just a blessing. I feel really good right now."
Smith liked what he saw form his new defensive mates.
North Carolina came into game off a season which saw the school set team records for offense, and many expected the Tar Heels to put up some more gaudy numbers against Smith and the Bulldog defense.
That didn’t happen.
Georgia kept the North Carolina offense off the field for the final 21 minutes of the game as the offense went on a 19-0 run to cap the 33-24 win.
“It says a lot. It shows the dedication and we’ve got what it takes to get through adversity,” Smith said. “It shows we’re a team that’s going to fight all the way to the end and I felt like defense made a good statement today.”
NOTES: Eleven true freshman saw their first action for Georgia Saturday. They included Brian Herrien, Jacob Eason, Julian Rochester, Riley Ridley, Jaleel Laguins, Isaac Nauta, David Marshall, Tyler Clark, Michail Carter and Marshall Long. … Although Monday is a holiday, Smart will hold his weekly press conference to preview Saturday home game against Nicholls (noon, SEC Network).
