One of the unique quirks of college football is that teammates can wear the same number. The catch is, if the two players are on the field at the same time, one has to wear an alternate number. If teammates take the field with the same number, it’s a penalty.
That happened to Florida during Thursday’s game against Utah. And for the Gators, it was a costly penalty.
After a disastrous start to the game, Florida seemed to be getting settled in. The Gators trailed 7-3 and appeared to stop a Utah drive at midfield. Florida’s return man, Eugene Wilson, called for a fair catch from inside of his own five-yard line. That violated conventional wisdom, as it seemed like the Gators would be starting their next possession from the shadow of their own goal line. As it turned out, Florida had bigger problems.
Wilson wears No. 3. His teammate, Jason Marshall Jr., also wears No. 3. Marshall was on the field for the punt. Equipment violation is a five-yard penalty from the previous spot. Since it was originally a fourth-and-three, Utah got a first down.
"Equipment violation on the defense. There were two No. 3s on the field for the Florida team. That penalty is five yards from the previous spot, results in a first down."
This was with Utah punting on 4th-and-3.
Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit explained more. 🏈🎙️ pic.twitter.com/DqSI7UvoFQ
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 1, 2023
Football fans had a lot of fun at Florida’s expense after this penalty.
This is my favorite penalty https://t.co/1cOtN5AnjQ
— Tom Dougherty (@todougherty) September 1, 2023
Florida getting penalized for having two number 3’s on the field pic.twitter.com/tfsJjtwwwz
— Slingin’ Picks (@SlinginPicks) September 1, 2023
SEC “universities” when they are asked to have basic numeracy skills https://t.co/Cd5OmuvOvL pic.twitter.com/BbIfjw4Ltq
— Men do not have mental health (@notbenfish) September 1, 2023
On 4th and 3, Florida had 2 players on the field with the same number. Gave Utah a first down
Billy Napier might get left at the airport pic.twitter.com/wdul1g7w78
— Nick Perkins (@NickyPerkss) September 1, 2023
Tell me your team isn't ready for football season without telling me your team isn't ready for football season 🏈 https://t.co/P2Lp7682IV
— Katherine Smith (@katsmithsports) September 1, 2023
florida special teams tonight:
bad opening kick return
1/2 on field goals
tried to fair catch a punt on the 3
couldn't because instead they had 2 guys in the same number on the field and gave up a first down
shanked punt— Robby Kalland (@RKalland) September 1, 2023
The penalty was bad at the time and four plays later, it got worse. Utah took full advantage of the penalty when quarterback Nate Johnson scored on a 27-yard keeper to put the Utes up 14-3.
Redshirt Freshman QB Nate Johnson, a composite 4⭐️ QB in the Class of 2022, runs it in from 27 yards out to give Utah a 14-3 lead over Florida 🏈pic.twitter.com/swxsD3pQa7
— 247Sports (@247Sports) September 1, 2023
Certainly some penalties are worse than others, but most are understandable. This one, though, will be hard to live down, as there’s no good reason that it should have happened.
