Kirby Smart critical of Georgia fans on homecoming weekend

ATHENS, Ga. — Even a win won't keep Kirby Smart from finding something to try and improve on. Usually it has to do with his football team, and after a film review on Sunday, I'm sure that'll be true too. However, Saturday night after Georgia defeated Auburn 31-13 at Sanford Stadium , Smart had a word for UGA fans in attendance.

"To be honest, I'm a little disappointed. I'm probably disappointed in our fans for the first time that I thought there was a lack of really affecting the game crowd noise-wise, passion and energy," Smart told former Georgia quarterback DJ Shockley . "Hey, it was hot, but our players got full pads on, helmets, pads, and they're pushing, trying to have a home field advantage like we've had when we've played against teams and can't get crowd noise. That's frustrating for me."

It wasn't the only time Smart was critical of the crowd. He made mention of it in his postgame press conference too, wanting folks in the stands to be able to appreciate the excellence that's on the field in front of them and act accordingly.

"I want our fan base to appreciate what we have and give their all and be unbelievable with crowd noise and make energy at home games," Smart said . "We need it to be tough on other teams to play here, but it's not. It's not the same as it's been in the past."

"It's gotta be energetic. It's gotta be," he continued . "It was hot today. It was hot. But it was hot on our players too and they pushed through it."

For the Bulldogs, it was their first time back between the hedges in 28 days. Three of their first five games have been away from Sanford Stadium including each of the last two. Add in the aspects of homecoming weekend, a traditional rival and the first game of the season at home against an SEC opponent, and it should've been an energetic crowd. Instead, attention seemed elsewhere with Smart even having to try and quiet the crowd on an important 4th & 1 late in the game after fans were cheering loudly for a scoreboard look-in on No. 1 Alabama trailing to Vanderbilt.

Still, even without the type of support Smart wanted from the fans, Georgia was able to get out of Saturday's game with a win. It's the 27th consecutive victory for UGA at home, the longest active streak in the country and the longest streak in program history.

"We go do our little walkthrough before we come over here and do Dawg Walk, and I told (the team), 'You're not going to get too many opportunities to play at home.' I think I think it needs to mean something to play at home," Georgia quarterback Carson Beck said.

Georgia (4-1, 2-1 SEC) is home once again next weekend for a battle of the Bulldogs with Mississippi State (1-4, 0-2 SEC) coming to town, giving the Bulldog faithful and opportunity to respond immediately to Smart's criticism. Kickoff time at Sanford Stadium is set for 4:15 p.m. ET on SEC Network.