Billy Napier discusses suspension for Micah Mazzccua

Florida offensive lineman Micah Mazzccua was suspended for the first half of Saturday’s 22-7 win over Charlotte following his role in last week’s on-field fight at the end of the game versus Tennessee. However, he also did not play in the second half Saturday.

Gators head coach Billy Napier said that was a conscious decision to hold him out for the final 30 minutes as well.

“Obviously, Micah was suspended for the first half and then a little bit of in house there in that regard for the second half,” Napier said after the win.

Mazzccua was one of three Florida players suspended by the SEC for their role in the fight along with fellow offensive lineman Damieon George and tight end Dante Zanders. They were all suspended for the first half of the game. Volunteers offensive lineman Omarr Norman-Lott was also suspended for the first half of Tennessee’s game Saturday versus UTSA.

The fight started on the final play of the game when Graham Mertz took a knee. However, he didn’t immediately get down, running around a little bit to extend the time. When he finally did take a knee, he got knocked down by Omari Thomas, who wasn’t able to slow up in time to stop his momentum from making contact with Mertz.

The hit sparked the brouhaha, which climaxed with both benches clearing. Mazzccua, who was not near the action but ran to backup his teammates after the hit happened, provided the defining image of the fight when he squared up boxing style with defensive back Kamal Hadden.

After the fight happened, Napier said there were lessons for everyone to learn from the incident.

“Look, it’s not just Micah,” Napier said Monday after the suspension were announced. “We got staff members that probably need to be disciplined as well. Ultimately, that’s a teachable moment. It’s an opportunity for us to talk about composure and poise. Ego, temper. Football presents an opportunity to teach some of those things.”

Another player who did not play in the game versus the 49ers was safety Kamari Wilson. He appeared at one point on the sidelines but was quickly removed by strength and conditioning coach Ed Thompson.

Napier didn’t explain the reason for that but did say that Napier didn’t make the team’s traveling roster. Even though it is a home game, Florida has players stay in a hotel near campus the night before and players who don’t stay in the hotel have to find their own way to get to the game.

“Kamari Wilson didn’t make the travel roster this week,” Napier said. “We can take 80 to the hotel and Kamari wasn’t on that list. Yeah, I mean, that’s pretty simple.”