Gator Country

Florida Gators football coach Will Muschamp argues with an official after one of his team's 96 penalties during the regular season. / Gator Country photo by Curtiss Bryant

Yellow makes Will Muschamp see red.

The 196 penalties the Florida Gators have committed during his two years as head coach are among the most nationally.

It’s not necessarily his fault. He’s not the first Florida football coach steamed over a high number of penalties. The problem, if it can be called that, began when he was a teenager.

The Gators have averaged more than 100 penalties each season since 1991. Calling it a “problem” may not be the most accurate description because those years also have been the most storied in the program’s history with three national championships, eight SEC championships and a pair of Heisman Trophy winners.

It’s why Muschamp said early in the season there was no evidence to suggest heavy penalized teams cannot have success. Perhaps it’s more of a burden than a problem, but it’s one trend Muschamp certainly would like to end.

One penalty can affect the outcome of a game and an entire season in the process.

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