In what’s sure to be one of the strangest moments in college football this week, Florida gave up a fourth-down conversion because the team had two of the same jerseys on the field.
Indeed, Thursday night’s Gators tilt on the road at Utah saw Florida get a very unorthodox “equipment violation” penalty because there were two Florida players with the same “No. 3” jersey on the field on a 4th-and-3 play.
On the Florida roster, both cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. and wide receiver Eugene Wilson III have “No. 3” jerseys, which is why the special teams penalty went down since they were on the field at the same time.
"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
The penalty in question gave Utah a first down and surely gave Florida fans something else to groan about on a night where nothing seemed to be going the team’s way.
College football fans really couldn’t believe a penalty like this happened, especially with such a storied program as Florida.
Feature image courtesy of ESPN.
CFB fans had no idea how this penalty happened. They roasted the Gators for it, too.
Florida continues to be the embarrassment of the SEC
And they still got Vanderbilt in that conference https://t.co/n5wZpHPMcs
— JWN Sports Network (@JWNSportNetwork) September 1, 2023
How the hell does this even happen?
I get that college teams have a lot of players but how could you possibly have 2 defensive players with the same number? https://t.co/hudYakJ3Ve
— Matt Smith (@SamENole) September 1, 2023
I want to like him but he doesn't make it easy. Come on Napier. Show me something man. https://t.co/Dv57SpKsNW
— L2J (@Le2JAY) September 1, 2023
Billy Taggart vibes https://t.co/UoEHzkd8qU
— TC (@Noleee04) September 1, 2023
How does this even happen? 😂 https://t.co/r4jeYiusUk
— Sad Jags Fan (@dtwd__) September 1, 2023
It amazes me how some coaches allow stuff like this to happen I know it’s a very tough job but this is simple organization https://t.co/WEoVZt4LGs
— Jake Roksandich (@JRoksandich2021) September 1, 2023
You can’t make this stuff up!!
🤦🏻♀️ Go Utes!! ❤️🖤 https://t.co/kG5EMdKJof— 🏆EliteDawgette 🏆🏆 Karen (yeah, I know…) (@SCDawgette) September 1, 2023
Like I said earlier. Poorly coached. Inexcusable https://t.co/gyLQkaSLDT
— Carl Brandon (@CarlBrandon_) September 1, 2023
Come on COACH 😂 https://t.co/OHvOoyJSaU
— 🎭🦊 (@iheartOaklnd) September 1, 2023
— OGhoopsprguy (@exhoopsPRguy) 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 (@NPerkins96) 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
Led to a TD… 'equipment violation'. https://t.co/iktC357Dqy
— David Meredith (@DMeredith28) September 1, 2023
This is my favorite penalty https://t.co/1cOtN5AnjQ
— Tom Dougherty (@todougherty) September 1, 2023
Bizarre. First time I have ever seen this. https://t.co/eVKTlfG05u
— David Jimenez (@djimenez50) September 1, 2023
Weird flex but okay https://t.co/X84hiA9kia
— Ryan 🇺🇦 (@ryanimal34) September 1, 2023