Slot receiver Brandon Powell in action against the Volunteers.
Powell Cleared by SEC; Del Rio to Test Knee at Practice
Wednesday, September 28, 2016 | Football, Chris Harry
UF heard from the league Monday regarding the phantom punch that got slot receiver Brandon Powell ejected from the loss at Tennessee.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Slot receiver Brandon Powell, who was ejected from last week's loss at Tennessee after being penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct, has been cleared by the Southeastern Conference and will play this weekend when No. 24 Florida (3-1, 1-1) takes on Vanderbilt (2-2, 0-1) Saturday at Nashville.
Officials in the UT game flagged Powell in the fourth quarter for allegedly throwing a punch at an opponent. Replays, though, showed that Powell may have extended a hand in the direction of Volunteers defensive back Rashaan Gaulden, but no contact was made. Gaulden flopped into the air and to the ground, drawing a flag.
Under SEC rules, throwing a punch results in ejection and a suspension that carries over to the next game. Gators coach Jim McElwain said during his Wednesday teleconference that UF was informed Monday afternoon that the league reviewed the play and Powell's suspension and been rescinded.
"We've received word that he'll go," McElwain said.
Meanwhile, junior quarterback Luke Del Rio will be back on the practice field Wednesday to test the sprained left knee that kept him out of the Tennessee game. Del Rio's status for Vandy remains in question.
"We held him out Tuesday," McElwain said. "He'll go out today and actually throw some skellys, some routes on air. Probably two of the different team periods [and] probably take a look and see how it goes and kind of responds from there."
Officials in the UT game flagged Powell in the fourth quarter for allegedly throwing a punch at an opponent. Replays, though, showed that Powell may have extended a hand in the direction of Volunteers defensive back Rashaan Gaulden, but no contact was made. Gaulden flopped into the air and to the ground, drawing a flag.
Under SEC rules, throwing a punch results in ejection and a suspension that carries over to the next game. Gators coach Jim McElwain said during his Wednesday teleconference that UF was informed Monday afternoon that the league reviewed the play and Powell's suspension and been rescinded.
"We've received word that he'll go," McElwain said.
Meanwhile, junior quarterback Luke Del Rio will be back on the practice field Wednesday to test the sprained left knee that kept him out of the Tennessee game. Del Rio's status for Vandy remains in question.
"We held him out Tuesday," McElwain said. "He'll go out today and actually throw some skellys, some routes on air. Probably two of the different team periods [and] probably take a look and see how it goes and kind of responds from there."
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