Clarkson: Flag not sole reason for loss to LSU
Sanford Stadium went from delirium to despair in the space of about 23 seconds with a celebration penalty and a rash of poor tackling at the worst possible time.
Charles Scott’s 33-yard touchdown provided the difference in LSU’s 20-13 win on Saturday. But much of the post-game buzz centered on an excessive celebration on A.J. Green after his go-ahead touchdown catch with 1:09 remaining.
The penalty makes a convenient hook to hang the loss, but Georgia sowed the seeds of its demise the previous 58 minutes and 51 seconds.
Georgia’s strong defensive effort kept the score close while the offense stumbled through a dreadful first half. Blair Walsh missed a 32-yard field goal – his first miss of the season – and those three points could have made an enormous difference in the final minute. Indifferent coverage allowed Trindon Holliday to return the post-penalty kickoff 50 yards. Marcus Dowtin blew a tackle on Scott’s final touchdown run.
OnlineAthens.com
10/5/9
