Georgia’s website crashed during the Sugar Bowl as fans hunted for information on Parker Jones after he was flagged for a costly penalty against Notre Dame despite not suiting up for the game.
The Bulldogs appeared to be knocking on the door of the game’s first touchdown at the Superdome as quarterback Gunner Stockton connected with wideout Arian Smith for a 67-yard completion. The ball would have been placed at the 11-yard line had it not been for walk-on cornerback Jones.
The Georgia sideline celebrated wildly as Smith caught the pass and turned upfield, but Jones stepped into the white paint and collided with the sideline judge, who was trying to keep up with the play.
A flag was thrown for sideline interference, causing a 15-yard penalty that saw the ball moved outside the redzone. And Stockton and the Bulldogs’ offense could not move the chains, forcing a field goal attempt with Peyton Woodring splitting the uprights from 41 yards to put Georgia 3-0 ahead.
Jones is a redshirt sophomore who has yet to play in a game for the program. Very few people knew his name before kickoff, but a lot do now although some were unable to read his profile on the Georgia website, which crashed due to the sudden influx of traffic.
ESPN announcers Sean McDonough and Greg McElroy shared their sympathy for the Albany, Georgia native.
McDonough said: “The worst feeling in the world for Jones. Obviously, not intending to interfere with the officials. Just caught up in the excitement.”
Former Alabama quarterback McElroy added: “It’s just wrong place, wrong time. I feel bad for that young man. He didn’t do anything malicious.”
The network’s rules analyst Matt Austin, however, said it was the correct call. He said: “It’s dangerous down there. [The referee] is running at full speed to keep up with the play and get a good spot, and if somebody gets in his way and causes a collision, it’s extremely dangerous.”
Personalities from the world of football were quick to have their say on social media. Pat McAfee said: “Tough time to be Parker Jones on the internet.”
Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy joked: “If Parker Jones had a sense of the moment hed wear a fake mustache when he comes out for the second half.”
Another user added: “Pray for Parker Jones. Nothings wrong with him, hes just never going to get out of Kirby Smarts doghouse after this.”
Notre Dame leads 13-3 at halftime, profiting from a strip-sack of Stockton inside the final minute of the second quarter. Quarterback Riley Leonard hit Beaux Collins in the endzone for a 13-yard touchdown pass with 27 seconds remaining before the half. Notre Dame went on to secure victory will now face Penn State in the College Football Playoff semifinal in Miami on Jan. 9.
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