After Georgia’s 28-6 win over Austin Peay, head coach Kirby Smart addressed quarterback Gunner Stockton’s performance and linebacker Ethan Barbour’s status. When asked about Stockton, Smart turned the question around, emphasizing accountability beyond the quarterback.
Smart also provided an update on Barbour, who sustained an injury during the Bulldogs’ victory. The coach noted the team is monitoring Barbour’s recovery closely, while keeping focus on Stockton’s development as Georgia continues evaluating both health and execution following the 28-6 outcome.
Kirby Smart Clears the Air on Gunner Stockton, Updates Ethan Barbour’s Injury Status
Georgia head coach Smart weighed in on quarterback Stockton’s early-season performance while also confirming linebacker Barbour’s injury following the Bulldogs’ 28-6 win over Austin Peay.
Smart pointed to protection issues impacting Stockton’s rhythm: “We didn’t protect long enough in some of our opportunities to get a chance to do that. When we do take shots we want a clean pocket. He was able to do some good things for us when he was not clean.”
Smart on Stockton
“We didn’t protect long enough in some of our opportunities to get a chance to do that. When we do take shots we want a clean pocket. He was able to do some good things for us when he was not clean.”
Smart said UGA wants to have more downfield passes but…
— Graham Coffey (@GrahamCoffeyDC) September 8, 2025
The coach stressed the importance of evaluating Stockton’s preparation.
“I actually need to see what he does in practice in the game,” Smart said. “We took a lot of periods last week to do throwing periods with rush and pressure-pass periods, where you have to play in the pocket and win things in the pocket. We did a lot of that last week in practice, a lot of play-action shots where people try to add up and do things, so he did a really nice job of those things all week.”
Through two starts, Stockton has delivered strong numbers. He has thrown for 417 yards with two passing touchdowns, no interceptions, and added two rushing scores. Still, the offensive approach has leaned conservative.
Smart addressed Barbour’s injury, calling it “pretty significant.” The linebacker suffered an ankle issue that the coach compared to past injuries for Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint and Rod Robinson. “He’ll be out for a little bit,” Smart said.
Smart on Ethan Barbour: “Pretty significant ankle injury similar to Rosemy and Rod Robinson so he’ll be out for a little bit.”
— Graham Coffey (@GrahamCoffeyDC) September 8, 2025
Moreover, against Austin Peay, 30 of Georgia’s 36 pass attempts traveled fewer than 9 yards. A week earlier, against Marshall, only three passes went beyond 15 yards. That lack of explosiveness has not gone unnoticed.
“We’ve got to find ways to be explosive,” Smart said. “I mean, you’ve got to be able to throw the ball downfield and take shots. And that’s probably the toughest thing that I’ve been most disappointed in.”
So far, Georgia quarterbacks have completed just two of eight attempts of at least 15 yards. Stockton acknowledged the offense came up short. He said he would need to review the film before identifying causes, but admitted the unit did not meet expectations against Austin Peay.
The Bulldogs, currently ranked sixth, will face a tougher test in their SEC opener. Georgia travels to Knoxville on Saturday to take on No. 15 Tennessee, which is coming off a 72-17 win over East Tennessee State and boasts one of the league’s most dynamic offenses.
