Georgia redshirt sophomore cornerback Parker Jones became a hot topic on social media shortly after a collision early in Thursday's Sugar Bowl game between the Bulldogs and Notre Dame.
But that collision wasn't with the opponent, but with the officials along the sideline, and it started a trend, costing the Bulldogs 15 yards of damage and possibly a touchdown. .
Jones, who was inactive in Thursday's game, was caught up in the excitement of a 66-yard pass from backup quarterback Gunner Stockton to Arian Smith, with backup defensive backs following the play along the sideline. I bumped into one of the umpires.
The sequence of videos clearly showed the two sides colliding, the referee slowing down and Jones retreating to the sideline just before Smith was tackled on a chunk play.
Without this violation, the Bulldogs would have been behind at the Fighting Irish's own 11-yard line, but instead were pushed back to their own 26-yard line.
ESPN rules analyst Matt Austin said if it should be flagged, “if there was contact, that's it.” “It's dangerous out there. [The official] I'm running as fast as I can to get a good position to keep up with the play. And if someone gets in his way and a collision occurs, it is very dangerous, so it is a good decision. ”
Georgia settled for a field goal rather than a touchdown and got points off the drive.
More videos From the broadcast Jones was shown returning to the sideline after the incident, behind several teammates.
According to Jones' biography page, he did not appear in a single game this season.
