Georgia TE Lawson Luckie takes scary hit, leaves game following targeting call
By David Wasson
Published:
Georgia tight end Lawson Luckie absorbed a scary hit late in the first half against Mississippi State on Saturday, leading to a targeting call and an ejection against Mississippi State.
Luckie was injured on a 2nd-and-9 pass play from the Georgia 24 – as Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton attempted to connect with his tight end on a deep crossing route. Luckie was still attempting to corral the pass when he was hit high by Mississippi State’s Jahron Manning.
Luckie was helped to his feet after several minutes and left the Davis-Wade Stadium field under his own power while being guided by Georgia’s athletic training staff to the sideline medical tent.
Manning was disqualified from the game, and the resulting 15-yard penalty moved the ball to the Georgia 39. Stockton and Georgia would complete the 9-play, 77-yard drive via a 19-yard touchdown pass to Zachariah Branch to make it 24-7.
Luckie did not have a reception against Mississippi State before he was injured, while Manning had totaled a team-best 5 solo tackles and 1 tackle for loss before his disqualification. Entering the game, Luckie had recorded 10 catches for 81 yards and 3 touchdowns – the TD mark equaling his single-season best set last season – for No. 5 Georgia.
An APSE national award-winning writer and editor, David Wasson has almost four decades of experience in the print journalism business in Florida and Alabama. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and several national magazines and websites. He also hosts Gulfshore Sports with David Wasson, weekdays from 3-5 pm across Southwest Florida and on FoxSportsFM.com. His Twitter handle: @JustDWasson.
