The fallout from the brawl is official for the Florida Gators.
Dan Mullen has been fined $25,000 by the South Eastern Conference for his actions last Saturday against Missouri and both players that were ejected for fighting (Zach Carter and Antwuan Powell) will sit out the first half this Saturday against Georgia.
“There is no place in college football for the kind of incident that took place at halftime of the Missouri at Florida game Saturday night,” SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said. “Everyone involved is responsible for meeting sportsmanship standards throughout each game. Running on the field to confront a game official, the gathering of teams in an on-field confrontation and student-athletes throwing punches are all disappointing at any time, but even more so as we work to support healthy competition during a pandemic.”
Dan Mullen issued this statement following the SEC’s ruling.
“I respect the decision from the conference office. As the head coach, it is my responsibility to defuse these types of situations, and I didn’t live up to that standard.”
Late in the 2nd half a penalty gave the Gators one more chance to throw a ball into the end zone to try and get points before halftime. Mullen had been visibly upset with the officials and several calls, specifically a defensive pass interference on cornerback Kaiir Elam and offensive pass interference on Trevon Grimes. On the final play before halftime Kyle Trask was hit late and high by Missouri defensive lineman Trajan Jeffcoat. Several Florida offensive linemen went to the defense of Kyle Trask and with the half being over, both teams were already starting to walk on to the field as they made their way to the locker rooms. Dan Mullen, seeing what was going on sprinted towards the head referee, David Smith, at midfield, and the situation quickly escalated from there. Mullen had to be restrained by multiple assistant coaches, it appeared on camera that numerous players on both teams and even coaches were shoving and even throwing punches in the fracas.
SEC rule stipulates that an ejection for fighting carries an automatic half-game suspension for the succeeding game, which is why Carter and Powell will miss the first half of the Georgia game.
In addition, following a video review of the incident, the SEC Office has issued a half-game suspension for Missouri linebacker Chad Bailey, offensive lineman Dylan Spencer, and defensive lineman Markell Utsey for fighting action during the altercation. Each will miss the first half of Missouri’s game vs. Georgia on November 14 which follows a Missouri open date on November 7.
Fighting is defined as follows by NCAA Playing Rules:
RULE 2, SECTION 32. Fighting
ARTICLE 1. Fighting is any attempt by a player, coach or squad member in uniform to strike an opponent in a combative manner unrelated to football.
Such acts include, but are not limited to:
a. An attempt to strike an opponent with the arm(s), hand(s), leg(s) or foot (feet), whether or not there is contact.
b. An unsportsmanlike act toward an opponent that causes any opponent to retaliate by fighting (Rules 9-2-1 and 9-5-1-a-c).