SEC fines Florida's Mullen $25K for role in brawl vs. Mizzou

Souastern Conference fined Florida coach Dan Mullen $25,000 on Monday for his role in a benches-clearing brawl against Missouri.

league also reviewed video of fight and issued half-game suspensions for Missouri linebacker Chad Bailey, offensive lineman Dylan Spencer and defensive lineman Markell Utsey. Each of m will sit out first half of Missouri’s next game, against . 5 Georgia on v. 14.

Florida defensive lineman Zach Carter and linebacker Antwuan Powell, who were ejected from game for fighting , will be suspended for first half against Bulldogs next week in Jacksonville. NCAA fighting rules mandate an automatic half-game suspension for ensuing game.

Missouri linebacker Tre Williams was ejected for a flagrant unsportsmanlike conduct foul and will t be punished furr.

“re is place in college football for kind of incident that took place at halftime of Missouri at Florida game Saturday night," SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said. "Everyone involved is responsible for meeting sportsmanship standards throughout each game.

"Running on field to confront a game official, garing 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.”

suspensions could be significant for . 8 Gators (3-1), who were without 15 players against Mizzou. Some of absences stemmed from injuries, ors because of COVID-19 test results and contact tracing. It’s unclear how many of m will return against Bulldogs.

melee started Saturday night when Missouri’s Trajan Jeffcoat delivered what looked like a high, late hit on Florida quarterback Kyle Trask on final play of first half. Hail Mary pass fell incomplete, and Trask landed hard on his back. His linemen came to his defense. So did Mullen, who started screaming at officials and opposing sideline.

Mullen clearly did more to inflame than extinguish situation, and his team followed his lead.

“I respect decision from conference office," Mullen said in a statement. "As head coach, it is my responsibility to defuse se types of situations, and I didn’t live up to that standard.”

Players from both teams converged near Missouri’s side of field, and wild punches could be seen flying and connecting. Only three players were ejected.

SEC handed down more punishments.

It was latest black eye for Mullen, who was already under fire for saying he hoped to pack 90,000 fans inside Florida Field for a home game during a pandemic and for criticizing an NCAA rule that prevents teams having meetings and practices on Election Day.

Florida’s faithful dismissed Mullen’s strong and somewhat questionable stances as typical brashness for an outspoken coach who’s focused on winning. y found mselves defending him again Saturday night.

Mullen had to be pulled away several times and was so irate by end of exchange that he came back out of locker room tunnel for a curtain call. Fans chanted his name as he returned to field for start of third quarter.

Im credits: AP