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A32 sports
Diamars 3 November 2020

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

Nov. 14.
The suspensions could be signifi- Players from both teams converged
Florida defensive lineman Zach Cart- cant for the eighth-ranked Gators near Missouri's side of the field, and
er and linebacker Antwuan Powell, (3-1), who were without 15 play- wild punches could be seen flying
both ejected from the game for fight- ers against Mizzou. Some of the ab- and connecting. Only three players
ing, will be suspended for the first sences stemmed from injuries, others were ejected.
half against the Bulldogs next week because of COVID-19 test results The SEC handed down more pun-
in Jacksonville. NCAA fighting rules and contact tracing. It's unclear how ishments following a video review.
mandate an automatic half-game sus- many of them will return against the
pension for the ensuing game. Bulldogs, a game that likely will de- It was the latest black eye for Mullen,
termine who wins the East Division who was already under fire for saying
Missouri linebacker Tre Williams was and advances to the SEC title game. he hoped to pack 90,000 fans inside
ejected for a flagrant unsportsmanlike Florida Field for a home game dur-
conduct foul and will not be pun- The melee started when Missouri's ing a pandemic and for criticizing an
(AP) — Florida coach Dan Mul- ished further. Trajan Jeffcoat delivered a high, late NCAA rule that prevents teams hav-
len did more to inflame than ex- hit on Florida quarterback Kyle Trask ing meetings and practices on Elec-
tinguish a tense situation against "There is no place in college football on the final play of the first half. The tion Day.
Missouri, drawing a public repri- for the kind of incident that took place Hail Mary pass fell incomplete, and
mand and a hefty fine. at halftime of the Missouri at Florida Trask landed hard on his back. His Florida's faithful dismissed Mullen's
game Saturday night," SEC Commis- linemen came to his defense. So did strong and somewhat questionable
The Southeastern Conference sioner Greg Sankey said. "Everyone Mullen, who started screaming at of- stances as typical brashness for an
docked Mullen $25,000 on Monday involved is responsible for meeting ficials and the opposing sideline. outspoken coach who's focused on
for his role in a benches-clearing sportsmanship standards throughout Mullen charged across the field and winning. They found themselves de-
brawl against the Tigers on Saturday each game. had to be pulled away from the fracas fending him again Saturday night.
night. several times. His team clearly fol-
"Running on the field to confront a lowed his lead. Mullen responded by putting on a
The league also issued half-game game official, the gathering of teams Darth Vader costume for his post-
suspensions for Missouri lineback- in an on-field confrontation and "I respect the decision from the con- game news conference, almost wel-
er Chad Bailey, offensive lineman student-athletes throwing punches ference office," Mullen said in a state- coming a villain role amid increased
Dylan Spencer and defensive line- are all disappointing at any time, but ment. "As the head coach, it is my scrutiny. He broke into character at
man Markell Utsey. Each of them even more so as we work to support responsibility to defuse these types of the beginning and the end of media
will sit out the first half of Missouri's healthy competition during a pan- situations, and I didn't live up to that session and held a red lightsaber the
next game, against No. 5 Georgia on demic." standard." entire time.

Darnold to get MRI on shoulder, but Jets optimistic

(AP) — Sam Darnold one day at a time." quarterback will be evaluated wants to be out there, he Darnold insists he's not
hopes to be under center Darnold scrambled for 5 throughout the week. He wants to be out there. That's thinking about any of that
for the New York Jets next yards early in the fourth was uncertain as to whether a big part of it, too, and that's these days. He just wants to
Monday night despite quarter against the Chiefs, Darnold will be ready to why we're making sure that be healthy enough to be on
some concern over his but stayed upright — rather start against the AFC East- everybody's aligned on this. the field.
sore right shoulder. than slide — as he absorbed rival New England Patriots at And we need him out there
hits from Tershawn Wharton home, but was optimistic. — he gives us the best chance "I just want to play every
The starting quarterback was and Tanoh Kpassagnon. The to win on Sundays and he game I'm capable of play-
going to have an MRI and get quarterback grimaced as he "We're just doing our due knows that." ing," Darnold said. "If I miss
a second medical opinion on got up and appeared to be fa- diligence on this," Gase said. a game and I'm capable of
the shoulder as a precaution voring his right arm. He had "We're making sure we're Darnold has struggled might- playing in it, that's my worst
after Darnold took a hard hit his shoulder checked out by kind of double-checking ev- ily, though, along with the nightmare. I don't want to do
during New York's 35-9 loss trainers on the sideline be- erything and making sure he's rest of the Jets' offense. He that to this team."
at Kansas City on Sunday. He fore returning to the game on good. He's a little sore today. threw for just 133 yards at
missed two games last month New York's next series. The indications right now are Kansas City a week after hav- NOTES: Gase said WR
after spraining the AC joint that we're in good shape, but ing just 120 yards passing — Breshad Perriman remains
in the shoulder against Den- "The hit definitely didn't we're going to keep working the second-lowest total of his in the concussion protocol,
ver on Oct. 1. help," Darnold said. "I through this and make sure career — against Buffalo. "but he's moving to that next
should've slid and not taken we cover everything before stage where we could see
"I woke up and it feels bet- the hit. Obviously, I'm going we say anything about what's For the season, Darnold has him at practice moving to
ter than I thought it would, to continue to learn from my going on this week. thrown for just three touch- that next part. ... WR Jamison
honestly," Darnold said dur- mistakes like that." downs with six interceptions Crowder, who has missed
ing a conference call Monday. "I'm hoping he's good to go to in six games. His 65.9 quar- the past two games with a
"Right now, I'm just taking it Coach Adam Gase said the practice." terback rating is last in the groin injury, will be evalu-
NFL among quarterbacks ated throughout the week. ...
With the Jets 0-8 for the first that have made at least three Gase said defensive lineman
time since 1996, some have starts, and is the lowest of his Quinnen Williams could
wondered why the team career. miss some practice time with
doesn't just shut Darnold a hamstring injury. ... C Con-
down for several weeks and Darnold's future with the nor McGovern might sit out
not take any unnecessary team beyond this season is a day or two with a banged-
risks with the 23-year-old also uncertain. With the Jets up knee. ... K Sam Ficken has
quarterback. currently in position to have missed the past two games
the No. 1 pick in next April's with an injured right groin
"If we were worried about draft, New York will have and will be evaluated through
there being damage, that's to seriously consider taking the week. Sergio Castillo has
why we're making sure that Clemson quarterback Trevor made four of five field goals
we're doing all the right Lawrence — while closing — with his only miss a block
things by not only him, but the door on Darnold after by the Chiefs — in Ficken's
us," Gase said. "I mean, Sam just three seasons. absence.