Kirby Smart Reacts to Georgia Offensive Lineman Drawing Bizarre Penalty in Sugar Bowl Loss: ‘Undisciplined’
It was a moment that Georgia cornerback Parker Jones he sure wishes he could go back.
The redshirt freshman went viral on social media Thursday night for the wrong reasons when he cost the Bulldogs 15 yards despite being inactive for College football playoffs quarterfinal game against Notre Dame.
Parker Jones, #39 of the Georgia Bulldogs, is penalized for sideline interference for interfering with a referee on a pass to Arian Smith, #11, during the second quarter during the 91st Allstate Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome on January 2, 2025 in New Orleans. (Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
A bizarre penalty was called during the second quarter of the Sugar Bowl with both teams scoreless.
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Quarterback Gunner Stockton connected with wide receiver Arian Smith for a 67-yard gain before being brought down on the sideline. However, whoever brought down Jones on the touchline caused a penalty.
Jones, a Georgia native, was animated on the sideline cheering on his teammates when an unsuspecting official collided with him. Jones crossed the sideline and drew an interference penalty, wiping out the game and pushing the Bulldogs even further back.
Head coach Kirby Smart, seemingly unaware at the time of who took the penalty, addressed reporters about the incident after Loss of Georgia.
Arian Smith, Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver, no. 11, runs with the ball after catching the ball as Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety Xavier Watts, no. 0, tries to catch the ball as lineman JB Garza collides with Bulldogs cornerback Parker Jones, no. 39, on the bench during the second quarter at Caesars Superdome on Jan. 2, 2025. (Geoff Burke-Imagn Images)
INACTIVE GEORGIAN PLAYER TAKES A PENALTY DUE TO A BIZAROUS MOVE IN THE SUGAR BOWL VS. NOTRE DAME
“Very unfortunate. We had – they said a coach, but I think it was the player they told me about [was] in white. “White is reserved for official persons,” began Smart.
“It’s a safety concern. Most of the time they’ll give you a warning about that, but that was a situation where it cost us 15 yards. We still had a first-and-10 and we didn’t capitalize on it. But, again, I call those things undisciplined , self-inflicted wounds that make you lose momentum. That’s something that can’t happen.”
All things considered, that was probably the best answer Jones could have hoped for.
Georgia Bulldogs Kirby Smart looks on from the field before the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Caesars Superdome. (Amber Searls-Imagn Images)
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However, it wasn’t Jones’ lapse in judgment that led to Georgia’s downfall in the playoffs.
Georgia outgained Notre Dame 296-244, but was 0-of-3 on fourth down, 2-of-12 on third down and allowed a 98-yard punt return to start the second half.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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