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Terry McAulay defends controversial false start call in Georgia vs. Florida, cites 'jerky' motion

ns_headshot_2024-clearby: Nick Schultz11/01/25NickSchultz_7

In the second quarter of Saturday’s World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party game, Georgia looked like it had a free play against Florida. However, the SEC officials called a controversial false start on Gunner Stockton, and NBC rules analyst Terry McAulay defended the ruling.

McAulay said the exaggerated clap by Stockton was not the reason the foul. Instead, he appeared to quickly lean backward – or make a “jerky” motion.

In fact, that’s the exact verbiage in the rulebook. As a result, McAulay said the officials got the call right. Georgia wound up punting on fourth down.

“The ‘clapping’ by the Georgia QB is not what created the false start foul,” McAulay wrote on X. “The foul was the quick and jerky (yes, the word ‘jerky’ is in the rule book) was the foul. A very good call.”

Neither offense got much going in the second quarter on Saturday, but Georgia later got a late field goal to pull things to a 10-10 tie with Florida before the break. The Bulldogs totaled 197 yards of offense in the half, led by 119 on 14-of-21 passing from Stockton. He also threw for a touchdown, finding Dillon Bell on the opening drive.

Florida, meanwhile, had 127 yards through two quarters – though only 29 in the second period. DJ Lagway went 7-of-11 for 101 yards and a touchdown, and Jadan Baugh led the rushing attack with 41 yards. Eugene “Tre” Wilson III was the leading receiver with five catches for 87 yards and the touchdown. He was the only Florida player to record multiple receptions in the first half.

Saturday’s game marked the start of a new era for Florida, which parted ways with Billy Napier prior to the bye week. Billy Gonzales is now in as interim head coach, though he made it clear he still respects the job Napier did in Gainesville. Gonzales is not parking in the former headman’s spot.

“No, no sir,” Gonzales said when asked about parking in the spot. “I still park in the same place. We have staff meetings and I still sit in the same chair. My office is the same thing, and that’s because I have a lot of respect for Coach Napier.

“Again, the thing is I’ve been asked to oversee the program right now by Mr. (Scott) Stricklin. I’m still a coach. We’re doing this together as a staff. It’s us working together. It’s us working with our players. It always will be and I take great pride in that.”