It was that moment Georgia cornerback Parker Jones Certainly hopes to come back.
The redshirt sophomore went viral on social media Thursday night for all the wrong reasons when he cost the Bulldogs 15 yards despite being inactive on the field. College Football Playoff Quarterfinal game against Notre Dame.
Parker Jones, No. 39 of the Georgia Bulldogs, is penalized for sideline interference for obstructing a referee during a play-action pass to Arian Smith, No. 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)
The bizarre penalty was called during the second quarter of the Sugar Bowl in which both teams did not score.
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Quarterback Gunner Stockton connected with wide receiver Arian Smith for a 67-yard gain before being taken down the sideline. However, it was Jones' takedown on the sideline that caused the penalty.
Jones, a Georgia native, was animated on the sidelines cheering on his teammates when an unsuspecting official bumped into him. Jones had crossed the sideline and drawn a pass interference penalty, erasing the play and pushing the Bulldogs back.
Head coach Kirby Smart, who apparently did not know at the time who took the penalty, addressed the incident with reporters following along. Georgia loss.
Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Arian Smith, No. 11, runs with the ball after catching it while Irish safety Xavier Watts, No. 0, tries to tackle as sideline judge J.B. Garza collides with Bulldogs linebacker Parker Jones, No. 39, on the bench during Second quarter at Caesars Superdome on January 2, 2025. (Photos by Jeff Burke-Imagine)
Inactive Georgia player takes penalty for bizarre move in SUGAR BOWL VS. Notre Dame
“It's very unfortunate. We had – they said a coach, but I think it was a player who I was told (was) wearing white. White is for referees,” Smart began.
“That's a safety concern. Most of the time they'll warn you about that, but it was a situation where it cost us 15 yards. We still had first-and-10 and we didn't capitalize on that. But again, I call those things undisciplined cuts that you impose on yourself and you lose momentum.” “This is something that cannot happen.”
All things considered, this was probably the best reaction Jones could have hoped for.
Georgia Bulldogs' Kirby Smart looks on from the field before their game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Caesars Superdome. (Photos by Amber Searles-Imagine)
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However, it wasn't Jones' error in judgment that led to Georgia falling into the playoffs.
Georgia outgained Notre Dame 296-244, but went 0 of 3 on fourth downs, 2 of 12 on third downs and allowed a 98-yard punt return to open the second half.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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