James Cook’s "Rookie Mistake"

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James Cook’s "Rookie Mistake"

The helmet to the head blow that got James Cook (6) disqualified

 
 
In his postgame presser, Kirby Smart said that Cook’s hit on the Austin Peay return man “was just a poor decision.”
 
 

Mecole was in that spot. We took Mecole out…We were giving James one of his first punt reps…He didn’t see the fair catch, so it wasn’t like he was intent to harm. I never saw the fair catch myself, either, it was really early…Whether he fair-catches that ball or not, we teach you to break down and NEVER lead with the head.

 
You can hear Kirby’s rearks on Cook’s penalty and ejection beginning at the 05:53 mark in the video below;
 

 
 
In this sequence, you can see what happen in the immediate aftermath of the photo at the top of the page.
 

James Cook (6)

 

James Cook (6)

 

James Cook (6)

 
 
Cook is escourted to the locker room:
 

James Cook (6) leaves the field after being ejected for targeting

 
 

View the gallery HERE. Full screen slideshow is HERE.

 
 
 
 

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Greg is closing in on 15 years writing about and photographing UGA sports. While often wrong and/or out of focus, it has been a long, strange trip full of fun and new friends.