Suspensions given to offensive linemen, tight end after late-game scrum

Late-game fight with Tennessee turns into three suspensions for the Florida Gators.

Suspensions have been handed out by the SEC to three members of the Florida Gators offense after a late-game scuffle.

Linemen Damieon George, Micah Mazzccua and tight end Dante Zanders are suspended for the first half of Florida’s matchup against the Charlotte 49ers on Saturday.

Quarterback Graham Mertz and the Florida Gators were ready to snap the ball from the victory formation and seal the upset over the visiting Tennessee Volunteers.

Mertz started to play and realized he had time to kill, so he started to stall in the backfield while the Vols defense gave a half-effort getting to the quarterback.

Volunteer defender Omari Brown was a tad too late and took a shot on Mertz, even though the quarterback was already attempting to end the play. The Gators immediately jumped into action and confronted Brown, but he was trying to play innocent.

Tennessee defensive back Kamal Hadden jumped in to challenge the Gators to a brawl and the end of the game was about to get ugly. Mazzccua was the first to start swinging while other action happened near the Gators’ bench.

The SEC Offices released an official statement on Monday afternoon.

“The suspensions were determined after further video review and consultation between the Southeastern Conference Office, the University of Florida and the University of Tennessee,” the statement read.

“Offensive lineman Damieon George, offensive lineman Micha Mazzccua and tight end Dante Zanders of Florida will be suspended for the first half of the Gators’ game with Charlotte on Saturday in Gainesville. Defensive lineman Omarr Norman-Lott of Tennessee will be suspended for the first half of the Volunteers’ game with UTSA on Saturday in Knoxville.”

Head coach Billy Napier also said there will be internal punishment for the players involved in the late-game scrum.

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