The real problem with the UGA celebration penalty (vs the LSU celebration penalty) was that it changed the momentum of the game. LSU failed to move the ball in the second half, and the late go-ahead touchdown by UGA should have been the nail in the coffin. Afterall, LSU led most of the game, but was barely clinging to a lead in the second half. With the wind out of their sails and only a couple of minutes left on the clock, it was highly unlikely that LSU would go down the length of the field and score.

Unfortunately, we’ll never know, because the refs basically gave LSU new life with a non-existant celebration penalty. The players knew they would have a short field to work with, and they came out on the last drive motivated. The world looks a lot different from your opponents’ 45 yard line than it does from your own 20.

Yeah, UGA’s defense should have never let them score, but they were clearly deflated after the “crap” call. They had the LSU offense shut-down for the entire second half, but you could tell by the way they played on the last drive that the penalty demoralized them. Having been in that situation before, you feel like the refs are trying to help the underdog after you’ve shut them down all afternoon. Your blood and sweat were wiped from the field by a yellow flag.

I agree that Cox and company should have responded with a score of their own, but again, it’s tough to ask 11 guys to win a football game for a second time, after the first time was taken from you by an individual official.

Bottom line — referees should not change the outcome of a game. The excessive celebration penalty is a classic example of refs who forget their place in a football game. What purpose does their late apology serve? It only makes the players angrier, and reinforces the perception that refs can blow a game.

I’m not trying to be rude, but did you read the piece or did you jump right to the comments section? Nowhere did I say that “the celebration penalty cost them the game.”

That said, Georgia played like crap in the first half, benefited from two costly LSU turnovers that probably would have generated points and allowed Scott to run basically untouched to the end zone on the game-winning touchdown. The Dawgs didn’t do enough offensively to earn the win and while the penalty certainly helped the Tigers, LSU outplayed UGA for most of the game.

I never said that the celebration penalty cost them the game.

Trindon Holiday’s 40-yard kickoff return was the key factor in the great field position.