Kirby Smart’s sideline gesture during Georgia’s tense 20–10 win over Auburn caused instant confusion and chaos online. With just over 13 minutes left and the play clock winding down, Smart appeared to call a timeout as the Bulldogs trailed late in the game. Afterward, Smart clarified he wasn’t signaling for a timeout at all; he was trying to alert officials that Auburn’s defense was clapping to mimic Georgia’s snap count. Fans and analysts were unsure whether Smart had made a costly mistake or was misunderstood. While many piled on with criticism and memes, one man stood firmly in Smart’s corner, Jon Gruden.

The situation even sparked a spat between Jon Gruden and Barstool Sports’ Brandon Walker. While discussing the moment on Wake Up Barstool, Walker poked fun at Gruden’s admiration for Smart, saying, “He goes to Georgia for one offseason practice, Kirby Smart bats an eye at him, and Jon Gruden’s like, ‘Yayyyyy, Kirby Smart!’” mimicking how one visit to Athens had seemingly turned Gruden into a full-fledged Bulldog supporter.

But Walker didn’t realize Gruden was still on the call. The former Super Bowl–winning coach quickly fired back, saying, “You’re crying about who’s getting fired today instead of watching the Georgia Bulldogs, who’ll be playing for another national title right here in Georgia. Don’t you know that’s how they clap when they get a freaking touchdown?” The exchange escalated fast, with both men trading jabs over Smart’s sideline gesture and Gruden’s loyalty to the Georgia head coach.

But despite everyone’s pointing straight at it, Kirby Smart never really admitted this. He later explained that, “I’ve got someone in the box watching every play,” Smart said. “They were clapping. So, I ran over to them and said, ‘They’re clapping, they’re clapping.’ And he thought I called timeout. So, I wanted to make sure he understood. Go lip read, because I’m screaming, ‘They’re clapping, they’re clapping.’”

Smart later clarified that he never intended to call a timeout, insisting the Bulldogs were in full control of the play clock. “I didn’t need a timeout because we were going to get it off before the play clock expired,” Smart explained. “It was 2, 1… we were fine. The issue was that they were clapping, and that’s a penalty. I wanted it called.”

While the debate over his sideline gesture continues to circulate online, Smart himself has been firm that there was no timeout, no confusion, just a misunderstood moment in the heat of the game.

Now, with that, there’s another big hit he took.

Kirby Smart gives major injury update

With Auburn now behind them, Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs are turning their focus to a crucial matchup against Ole Miss, and injury updates are front and center. Smart offered clarity on two key players: running back Chauncey Bowens and freshman offensive lineman Juan Gaston.

Bowens, who has quickly become Georgia’s leading rusher, has been managing a minor injury but is expected to be “ready to go this week.” He further adds, “It was a deal going into the game; we felt like he was going to be able to go. It bothered him some last week, but it never got to the point he wasn’t going to be able to play… He should be fine. He should be ready to go this week.”

Gaston’s status is now more uncertain after reinjuring his ankle during the Auburn game. “Yes, Juan, ankle, kinda re-injured, bothered,” Smart said. “He went back in. As I understand, he came back out, and it was bothering him. He’s trying to go today. We’ll see where he’s at.” While Bowens appears set to return, Gaston’s recovery will be closely monitored as Georgia prepares for one of its toughest tests of the season against the Rebels.