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Georgia coach Kirby Smart reacts to his player celebrating with Ole Miss fans: 'What an idiot'

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Georgia coach Kirby Smart reacts to his player celebrating with Ole Miss fans: 'What an idiot'

If Ole Miss’s rout of Georgia wasn’t bizarre enough for the Bulldogs, video of backup safety Jake Pope seemingly celebrating with Rebels fans who stormed the field after the game took the 28-10 loss to another level. 

For Georgia head coach Kirby Smart, his reaction to Pope going viral on social media had a simple response.

“What an idiot. I mean, just stupid,” Smart told the media.

Georgia defensive back Jake Pope (22) celebrates with teammates after defeating Florida on Nov. 2, 2024, at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. (Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union)

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Smart did, however, provide some background on why Pope was seen jumping up and down on the field. 

“I didn’t see it until today, but he’s embarrassed about it. He’s upset about it,” Smart said of Pope. “That’s obviously a childhood friend of his; he grew up and played with there in Buford. [Pope] knows him and hadn’t seen him in forever, but just not real smart.

“To be honest with you, I don’t have time to waste energy on that. You know what I’m saying? My focus is on Tennessee, I’m not worried about that.” 

Pope also released a statement on the matter via X, saying he was “sorry for the way it was taken out of perspective.”

“This is not representative of who I am in any way,” Pope said in the statement. “In no way, shape or form would I ever celebrate a loss in this program and anyone who knows me well knows that. My long-time family friends had come up to me unexpectedly after the game as I was trying to get off the field to safety and were extremely excited to see me after the game.”

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Georgia head coach Kirby Smart (Petre Thomas-Imagn Images/File)

“I was also surprised to see them as well and that’s why you saw the reaction that I gave via the video,” he continued.

“Lastly, and once again, I’m sorry to my teammates, coaches, and fans all around about the way that video looked, and I choose to move forward and get ready for a great rest of the season with my brothers,” Pope said.

Pope previously played two seasons at Alabama before transferring to Georgia for this season. He has played in three games so far for the Bulldogs.

After their second loss of the season, the Bulldogs, 7-2, could face College Football Playoff elimination this week when they host No. 6 Tennessee. 

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Georgia head coach Kirby Smart (Petre Thomas-Imagn Images/File)

It is the Bulldogs’ final ranked game of the season, but with three games to go, a third loss would likely knock them out of the CFP standings even in the expanded format.

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Golf star records lowest round in LPGA major history with astounding performance at Evian Championship

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Golf star records lowest round in LPGA major history with astounding performance at Evian Championship

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There are good days on the golf course, and then there is what Haeran Ryu just did on Saturday.

Ryu, 25, recorded the lowest round in LPGA major history on Saturday with an 11-under 60 at the Evian Championship. With the South Korean golfer’s historic round, she holds a three-stroke lead.

Ryu’s round comes just two weeks after winning her first major at the Women’s PGA Championship. On the 18th hole, Ryu left a 30-foot eagle putt a few inches short, and instead settled for a birdie.

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Haeran Ryu of South Korea reacts on the 18th green after the third round of The Amundi Evian Championship at Evian Resort Golf Club in Evian-les-Bains, France, on July 11, 2026. (Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

She said after the round that she had no idea what she had done until she counted up her scorecard.

“But after the putt and I counted my score with my caddie,” she said. “Oh my God, it’s 11-under par today. It was so amazing. My caddie says, ‘Yep.’ I’m so happy right now.”

If Ryu had made the eagle putt on the 18th hole, she would have been just the second player to shoot a 59 in LPGA history.

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Haeran Ryu of South Korea celebrates a birdie on the 15th green during the third round of The Amundi Evian Championship at Evian Resort Golf Club on July 11, 2026, in Evian-les-Bains, France. (Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

Her 60 broke the record for the lowest round in an LPGA major by one shot. Leona Maguire and Jeungeun Lee6 in 2021, and Hyo Joo Kim in 2014, each shot 61 at the Evian Championship, which was designated as an LPGA major in 2013.

The lowest round in a men’s major is 62, which is shared by four players — Branden Grace at Royal Birkdale in the 2017 British Open, Xander Schauffele and Rickie Fowler in the 2023 U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club, and Schauffele and Shane Lowry in the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla.

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Haeran Ryu of South Korea and Lottie Woad of England interact after their round on the 18th green during the third round of the Amundi Evian Championship at Evian Resort Golf Club in Evian-les-Bains, France, on July 11, 2026. (Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

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Ryu hopes her historic third round can help propel her to a second major win in three weeks.

“That is amazing, amazing dream,” Ryu said. “So I just want that one to come true, but we have one more day.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Q&A: Partner, chance to play in Long Beach reignited AVP star Taylor Crabb’s Olympic fire

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Q&A: Partner, chance to play in Long Beach reignited AVP star Taylor Crabb’s Olympic fire

Taylor Crabb is no stranger to South California beaches. The Long Beach State alum returns home this weekend to compete in AVP League matches.

It marks the first time AVP will compete in Long Beach since 2020 and allows players to compete at the 2028 Olympics beach volleyball venue.

Crabb, 34, made his AVP debut in 2013 with his brother, Trevor, and advanced from the qualifier in Manhattan Beach before finishing 25th in his first tournament.

After years of competing with various different partners, Taylor Crabb and Andy Benesh have delivered the top performances this AVP season.

The following interview with Crabb has been edited for clarity and length.

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Are you excited to compete in this weekend’s event at Long Beach?

Crabb: Very excited. A lot of my college teammates and part of the school have reached out, saying that they’re gonna come. So I’m excited to get a chance to play in front of them again.

When was the last time you were in Long Beach?

Crabb: I always try to go down there for alumni events or any big games they have. I went to UCLA against Long Beach last year, when it was No. 1 versus No. 2, so I always try to get down there and support them.

You missed out on the chance to compete in the 2020 Olympics because of COVID-19 restrictions and chose not to pursue a spot at the 2024 Olympics. Are you fired up to try to compete in the 2028 Olympics, knowing that Long Beach will host the competition?

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Crabb: Yeah, it’s definitely an exciting time having the Olympics in Long Beach, and we kind of get to break it in this weekend. As you said, Tokyo didn’t go the way I wanted, but I’m going full force now. I have a great partner in Andy Benesh, who obviously went to the Paris Olympics, and if it weren’t for the Olympics being in Long Beach, and me getting a partner like Andy, I’m not even sure I’d be going for it, but because of those two things, I want to make the most of it.

You mentioned that if it wasn’t for a partner like Andy, you wouldn’t be going for it. What do you mean by that?

Crabb: I didn’t feel motivated by playing in all the international events, but now, I think, sitting out kind of lit the fire under me, and I’m really motivated now.

You’ve had different partners throughout your time. What other motivation does Andy give you?

Crabb: He’s been, in my mind, the top blocker for the U.S. the last four or five years. Seeing the professionalism he brings every day to practice, on and off the court, while traveling and when showing up to tournaments, it rubs off on you and that’s really motivating to see. And I just want to make him proud.

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Why do you love volleyball?

Crabb: A lot of reasons, but it’s just a feeling I have when I’m out there on the court. It feels natural. It feels like home. I was born into a volleyball family. I had a volleyball in my hands my entire life, so I’ve always just enjoyed it.

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CM Punk to defend Undisputed WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes at SummerSlam

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CM Punk to defend Undisputed WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes at SummerSlam

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CM Punk appeared on “Friday Night SmackDown” ready to take on any challenger that was ready to step to him after winning the Undisputed WWE Championship against Sami Zayn.

Punk entered the ring in Oklahoma City and called back to the “Monday Night Raw” after WrestleMania 42 when he told Cody Rhodes he’d be ready to deliver if a championship opportunity fell “out of the sky.”

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Cody Rhodes and CM Punk face off during SmackDown at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla. (Craig Ambrosio/WWE via Getty Images)

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“When championship opportunities fall out of the sky, CM Punk catches them,” he said.

Punk named potential SmackDown superstars he’d think might come for the title, including Gunther, Finn Balor, Royce Keys, Damian Priest and Trick Williams. He even said that Zayn could come back around and get his rematch if he wanted. He didn’t mention Rhodes’ name, but the “American Nightmare” came out uncalled and marched his way down to the ring.

“I don’t think you and I can run away from each other anymore,” Punk told Rhodes.

Cody Rhodes looks on during SmackDown at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., on July 10, 2026. (Craig Ambrosio/WWE via Getty Images)

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Rhodes agreed and mentioned that Punk would want a match with him, just “say when.” It was a quick retort from Punk, who said, “when.” SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis, who was in the ring for the segment, booked the match for SummerSlam.

Punk will defend the Undisputed WWE Championship at SummerSlam, which takes place Aug. 1 and 2 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

First, however, Punk and Rhodes will be involved in a tag team match at Saturday Night’s Main Event in New York City next week. Aldis made the match after Gunther demanded that Aldis put him in a match against Punk. Gunther was hoping it would be for the championship. Instead, Gunther will tag with Zayn.

Gunther didn’t take too kindly to that and attacked Aldis. Rhodes came back out to break up the calamity. He wanted to take on Gunther after the show went off air but Gunther walked away.

Gunther makes his entrance during SmackDown at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., on July 10, 2026. (Rich Wade/WWE via Getty Images)

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Punk definitely has his hands full as he moves to SmackDown to become a fighting champion.

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