Not even the biggest die-hard Georgia fans know who Parker Jones is.
But because of an unfortunate incident involving the redshirt sophomore walk-on cornerback, the entire country knows his name.
On an a 66-yard catch and run that saw Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton connect with Arian Smith for a 66-yard gain, there was a penalty on the play. Not for anything done in the field of play, but because of Jones’ antics on the sideline. Georgia — and more importantly Jones — were called for sideline interference, which placed the Bulldogs outside the red zone and at Notre Dame’s 26-yard-line.
One of the officials collided with Jones on the sideline as he celebrated Smith’s explosive play a little too close for comfort. Jones, who’s not active for Thursday’s Sugar Bowl, ran into the official on the white part of the sideline and slowed down his momentum.
“No. 39 runs right into the official; he slows him down,” said ESPN analyst Greg McElroy. “That’s what ultimately causes the penalty. You have to stay out of the white part. That is the officials’ area — they own that white part of the sideline. You usually have a get-back coach — and that time, a big 15-yard penalty.
Fortunately, no one was injured, but we can’t say the same for Jones’ pride.
He looked like he wanted to be anywhere else.
Wrong place; wrong time.
And Georgia paid the price. The Bulldogs would have to settle for a 41-yard field goal off the foot of Peyton Woodring.
Georgia fans in attendance at Caesars Superdome were beside themselves — and if somehow this affects the final outcome of the game, they’ll be besides themselves again.
But it was the right call.
“If there’s contact, [you have to flag it],” ESPN rules analyst Matt Austin said. “As Greg [McElroy] said, it’s dangerous down there. He’s running full speed to keep up with the play to get a good spot. And if something gets in his way, there’s a collision; it’s extremely dangerous. So, yeah, that’s a good call.”
Georgia is penalized for sideline interference after an official runs into Parker Jones (No. 39) — who is not even active for the game — on the sideline.
“That’s a good call.”- ESPN rules analyst Matt Austin 🏈🦓 #CFP pic.twitter.com/WAOYb5osO7
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 2, 2025
You have to give the official the white area — and Parker Jones was clearly in the field of play.
[Awful Announcing on X]
