Booger McFarland claims both teams assessed unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in Florida vs. LSU

Multiple pregame scuffles in Baton Rouge have led officials to get involved pregame before Florida takes on LSU. And there’s an interesting twist to the heated conference rivalry now.

Officials apparently threw a flag on each team for unsportsmanlike conduct, according to ESPN’s Booger McFarland. Due to a rule that two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties within a game results in an ejection, any further unsportsmanlike conduct calls during the game will trigger an automatic ejection.

So both coaches will likely be warning their players to keep things on the up and up in the matchup. Already players like LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier were involved in trying to keep teammates out of the fray.

UPDATE, 7:25 p.m. ET: According to Florida team reporter Scott Carter, officials announced in the press box that neither team was penalized for the pre-game fracas. So there will not be automatic ejections upon unsportsmanlike conduct calls.

This is not the first time the two programs have had some theatrics leading up to the game. The 2016 contest in Baton Rouge also had some notable pregame shoving.

Florida would go on to win that game as an underdog, winning on a last-second goal line stand. But LSU has dominated the series of late.

Florida, LSU enter on different tracks

The contest will carry plenty of meaning for both coaches, but for very different reasons. Florida coach Billy Napier is on the hot seat, while LSU coach Brian Kelly is looking to cement his hold on the program by taking the Tigers to the playoffs.

LSU opened the season strong with a 17-10 win on the road against then-No. 4 Clemson, but looked like it was just going through the motions last week against Louisiana Tech. The Tigers came away with a comfortable 23-7 win thanks to a strong defensive showing, but could never quite put the hammer down on the Bulldogs.

Florida currently leads the all-time series against LSU 34-32-2 and won last year’s matchup 27-16. Prior to last year’s win for the Gators, LSU had won five consecutive meetings dating back to 2019. This year’s matchup however is likely the most important for Florida in the Billy Napier era, as he would sink under .500 as the head coach in Gainesville with a potential loss.

Following the upset loss to USF last Saturday, Florida fell to just 14-7 in games played at home, Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, under Napier. The loss has caused an uproar of fan outrage, calling for the fourth year head coach to be let go prior to the end of the season. A win over LSU in Baton Rouge could certainly help change this narrative, much like last year’s win did.

On3’s Daniel Hager also contributed to this report.