Three Gators Receive Half-Game Suspensions for Florida-Tennessee Altercation

The SEC has suspended four players, including three Gators, for their involvement in a fight near the conclusion of Florida vs. Tennessee.

Photo: Florida offensive linemen Damieon George Jr. (left) and Micah Mazzccua (right); Credit: Zach Goodall

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Southeastern Conference on Monday announced suspensions for four players, three from Florida and one from Tennessee, for “flagrant unsportsmanlike actions” pertaining to their involvement in an end-of-game altercation in the Gators’ 29-16 victory over the Volunteers on Saturday night.

Redshirt senior tight end Dante Zanders, redshirt sophomore offensive tackle Damieon George Jr. and junior guard Micah Mazzccua have been suspended for the first half of Florida’s Saturday matchup with Charlotte in Gainesville. Junior defensive lineman Omarr Norman-Lott was suspended for the first half of Tennessee’s game against the University of Texas at San Antonio in Knoxville.

“The suspensions were determined after video review and consultation between the Southeastern Conference Office, the University of Florida and the University of Tennessee,” the SEC said in a release.

A fight between the two squads broke out after UF quarterback Graham Mertz extended a dropback to kneel down and run out the clock. Having anticipated an immediate kneel, defensive lineman Omari Thomas chased Mertz into the backfield and forcibly bumped into him as he finally went down, triggering a brawl between players from both teams that included at least one member of Florida’s coaching staff.

As of his Monday afternoon press conference, UF head coach Billy Napier was unaware of potential discipline from the SEC but acknowledged that internal punishment had been handed down to those who participated in the fight.

“Nothing yet, just in-house discipline,” Napier said, asked specifically about Mazzccua’s involvement. “Outside of that, look, it’s not just Micah. We got staff members that probably need to be disciplined, as well. I think ultimately that’s a teachable moment. It’s an opportunity for us to talk about composure and poise, ego, temper.

“Football presents an opportunity to teach some of those things, right? It’s not going to be the first time you’re going to be in an altercation. Look, you make a decision like that, we had multiple players that screwed up. They compromised the entire team ’cause you may not be available in the future, whatever the case may be. No different than some guy calls you a name at the local bar on Friday night. Are you going to compromise your wife and kids, make a poor decision? These things are teachable moments. Ultimately hopefully we do enough on our part to teach ’em.”

Florida’s Week 3 depth chart listed freshman Knijeah Harris as the backup at both left and right guard, which suggests he will start in place of Mazzccua on Saturday. Redshirt senior and offseason transfer pickup Lyndell Hudson II is UF’s second-team right tackle and is likely to fill in for George against Charlotte. Zanders occupied the backup role behind redshirt freshman Hayden Hansen on the chart.

Kickoff for Florida vs. Charlotte in Week 4 is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 23, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

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