SEC fines Florida’s Mullen for role in brawl
Florida coach Dan Mullen did more to inflame than extinguish a tense situation against Missouri, drawing a public reprimand and a hefty fine.
The Southeastern Conference docked Mul len $25,000 on Monday for his role in a benches- clearing brawl against the Tigers on Saturday night.
The league also issued half- game suspensions for
Mi s s ou ri linebacker Chad Bailey, offensive lineman Dylan Spencer and defensive lineman Markell Utsey. Each of them will sit out the first half of Missouri’s next game, against No. 5 Georgia on Nov. 14.
Florida defensive lineman Zach Carter and linebacker Antwuan Powell, both ejected from the game for fighting, will be suspended for the first half against the Bulldogs next week in Jacksonville. NCAA fighting rules mandate an automatic half-game suspension for the ensuing game.
Missouri linebacker Tre Williams was ejected for a flagrant unsportsmanlike conduct foul and will not be punished further. JONES, FIELDS MOVE AHEAD IN HEISMAN RACE >> An absence of at least two games has cost Trevor Lawrence pole position in the 2020 Heisman Trophy race.
Multiple sportsbooks downgraded Lawrence with the Clemson quarterback out for the second game in a row due to COVID-19. Lawrence did not play Saturday in a 32-28 win over Boston College and has been ruled out for No. 1 Clemson at No. 4 Notre Dame this weekend.
Alabama’s Mac Jones and Ohio State dual threat Justin Fields are getting more love with Lawrence out of the picture.
Lawrence is now 2-1 at FanDuel, which installed Jones and Fields as co-favorites in the latest odds released Sunday night. Lawrence, who has 17 touchdowns and two interceptions this season, is expected to play again this season. He remains the favorite to be the first overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft even after hinting early last week, prior to the coronavirus news, that he could be back at Clemson next year.
OLE MISS FRESHMAN AIRLIFTED TO HOSPITAL >> Mississippi freshman Damarcus Thomas was cleared for release after being airlifted to a Memphis hospital Monday following a practice injury.
“Damarcus is doing well,” said Pat Jernigan, the Ole Miss assistant athletic director for sports medicine. “All of his medical tests came back normal, and he is being released from the hospital.
“Our physicians will be following up with him in the coming days for further evaluation.”
Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin said earlier that Thomas initially didn’t have “any feeling in his entire body.”
Kiffin said Thomas’ family was called from the practice field. The freshman tight end from Whatley, Alabama, was taken by ambulance to a local hospital and then airlifted to Memphis Regional Hospital.
Thomas had played in the past five games for Ole Miss but had not recorded a stat.
PITT STANDOUT SAFETY OPTS OUT OF REST OF SEASON >> Pittsburgh standout safety Paris Ford has opted out of the rest of the season, Panthers coach Pat Narduzzi said. Ford, a first-team All-ACC player last year and All-American candidate this year, led the Panthers with 45 tackles and three interceptions this season.