Sometimes Georgia sophomore receiver George Pickens can host cost his team more than contribute.
Pickens squirted a water bottle on Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano after a 3-yard run out of bounds. The 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct set up the Vols with good field position and led to score.
Guarantano took advantage of that field position and found receiver Josh Palmer for a score that gave the Vols a 21-17 lead in the second quarter.
“It’s just disappointing. It’s silly behavior. It’s immature, just like two guys running down to celebrate with Jalen Carter,” Kirby Smart said after the game.
Pickens, who led UGA in receiving yards last year, had a blunder in the final game of the regular season last year that cost the team missing him in the first half of the SEC Championship against LSU.
“That cost us a Tennessee game already once,” Smart continued. “What are we thinking? We show that once a year to talk about when you buddy scores, celebrate on the sideline with him.”
Pickens finished the game with only two receptions while fellow receiver Kearis Jackson continues to shine, who finished with four receptions for 91 yards and his first collegiate touchdown.
Hopefully Pickens’ antics won’t continue as the No. 3 Bulldogs face the No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide next Saturday in Tuscaloosa.