On Saturday, Florida Gators cornerback Marco Wilson, a third-year legacy player who’s widely regarded as the Gators’ best defensive back, committed what may go down as one of the dumbest penalties in sports history.

On 3rd and 10 with exactly 2:00 remaining in the 4th quarter, the Gators defense stuffed LSU TE Kole Taylor short of the line to gain. After setting up a punt to their offense, led by Heisman-trophy front runner Kyle Trask, the Gators’ celebration was cut short as Wilson inexplicably ripped off the LSU player’s cleat and threw it downfield. 

After a momentary pause by the referees, who probably had to do double-takes in the dense Gainesville fog, the penalty flags rained down like so many alligator tears. The unsportsmanlike play gave LSU a first down, and set up a 57-yard field goal by Cade York with 23 seconds left in the game. Although Trask and the Gators would put together a few chunk plays on the subsequent drive to set up their own 50+ yard field goal attempt to tie the game, Evan McPherson’s kick skirted outside the left upright, ending the game, and probably Florida’s shot at the College Football Playoff. 

Social media reactions were merciless with many bringing up Ole Miss receiver Elijah Moore’s infamous “dog-pee” celebration from the 2019 Egg Bowl. In that game, Moore’s unsportsmanlike penalty after a last-second touchdown resulted in the extra-point being moved back 15 yards. In a mystical display of instant karma, the Rebels would miss the kick and lose the game by one point. Fun fact: Wilson and Moore hail from the same hometown of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

Even former Gator greats were beside themselves as they joined the social media pile on:

The year started with Marco Wilson announcing his return to Gainesville for a third season. After starting as a true freshman and suffering an ACL tear early in his sophomore year, Wilson had contemplated joining the NFL draft. The decision to return for a chance at a championship looked like a great gamble for most of the year. But after being beaten repeatedly by LSU receivers on Saturday and then committing the horrible penalty that may cost his team a playoff berth, Wilson’s decision may turn out to be more ironic than heroic.

The Gators now turn their attention to next weekend’s SEC Championship Game against Alabama. It’s hard to imagine the Gators bringing the same energy into that game knowing that a win will likely still leave them short of the ultimate prize, a chance at the school’s fourth national championship.

Key moments:

– After trailing 21-14 at the (first half) under 12:00 media timeout, Metress inserted for the first time this season Augusta’s most experienced lineup (Tyree Myers, Miguel Arnold, Darren Lucas-White Troy Cracknell and Tyshaun Crawford. The Jaguars went on 21-8 run and took a 35-29 lead.
– Emmanuel answered with a run of its own, but with just under 2:00 remaining in the first half Darren Lucas-White picked Tyonn Stuckey (hero from last season’s Emmanuel victory) clean and dunked with two hands to give the Jaguars a 39-38 lead.

– Tyshaun Crawford started the second half with a string of field goals and after Darren Lucas-White converted in the pain after a nice two footed jump stop, Augusta held its first double digit lead at 57-47.

– Miguel Arnold’s four-point play with 12:12 remaining put Augusta ahead 68-56, at the time Augusta’s biggest lead. 
– Timmy Sellers blocked a shot on one end and scored a bucket on the other to give Augusta a 72-60 lead with 9:17 remaining and the Jags would roll to victory from there.

Post-Game Interviews with Dip Metress and Miguel Arnold