Georgia backup safety Jake Pope has issued an apology after a video of him appearing to celebrate after the Bulldogs’ 28-10 loss at Mississippi on the field with Rebels fans drew sharp criticism from Georgia coach Kirby Smart.

Georgia coach Kirby Smart had lots of praise for backup safety Jake Pope on Tuesday, just days after he criticized the player for appearing to celebrate with fans from the opposing team.

Georgia coach Kirby Smart said he went too far when he called backup safety Jake Pope an “idiot” for appearing to celebrate with Mississippi fans following the Bulldogs’ loss to the Rebels.

No. 11 Georgia hosts sixth-ranked Tennessee in what is essentially a playoff game. Especially for the Bulldogs, who have no room for error after a loss to Ole Miss knocked them out of the College Football Playoff’s provisional 12-team field.

No. 11 Georgia (7-2, 5-2 Southeastern Conference, No. 12 CFP) is facing what amounts to an elimination game in mid-November when it hosts No. 6 Tennessee on Saturday at Sanford Stadium. The Bulldogs put themselves in this predicament with an ugly 28-10 loss at Mississippi last weekend,

The Georgia Bulldogs loss to the Ole Miss Rebels put them out of the top 10. Now, the 11th ranked Bulldogs are turning the page to the Tennessee Volunteers. Georgia currently owns a 28-23 edge in the all-time series against the Tennessee Volunteers.