WATCH: Florida loses defensive leader after Ventrell Miller targeting call, ejection
Florida is without its best defensive player for the rest of the Vanderbilt game and the first half next week in the regular-season finale against rival Florida State, following a Ventrell Miller targeting call in the fourth quarter Saturday.
The Gators trailed the Commodores 28-18 and were looking for a defensive stop when Miller made what looked like a terrific stop with a hard hit on tight end Ben Bresnahan. But shortly after the hit, officials blew play dead and went to review it.
Upon review, Miller was ejected for targeting, as he lowered his helmet and struck Bresnahan near the shoulder and neck area.
Because the Ventrell Miller targeting call happened in the fourth quarter, Miller will have to sit out the first half of the team’s next game, which is on the road at rival Florida State.
Miller has been the heart and soul of the Florida defense all year.
The sixth-year senior is the second-leading tackler for the Gators, having logged 62 tackles on the season. Miller has also chipped in 7.5 tackles for a loss, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, a pass breakup and seven quarterback hurries.
Florida dealing with multiple injuries to key players
Along with the Ventrell Miller targeting ejection, the Gators are also dealing with injuries that have sidelined a few other key players.
Florida entered its game against Vanderbilt already down one starting receiver, with receiver Xzavier Henderson missing the contest due to a lower-body injury. During the game receiver Ricky Pearsall suffered an injury that sidelined him, though he was listed as questionable following the knock.
“Dealing with some banged-up guys,” SEC Network sideline reporter Alyssa Lang. “You see the Florida offense about to take the field again, they’ll do that without wide receiver Ricky Pearsall. Right now he’s questionable with a lower-body injury. He may or may not return.”