As expected, Georgia Bulldogs nose tackle Kwame Geathers has been suspended for the first half of the team's next game, which is a reasonably important one. Safety Shawn Williams has also been ruled out of the first half against the Florida Gators. Both players were dinged for combative behavior that occurred during a testy game in Nashville against the Vanderbilt Commodores.
Both players are starters. Geathers has seven tackles, while Williams is third on the team in tackles and has added a pair of picks and tackles for loss.
Details on each suspension from the SEC's statement (and here's video of the Geathers play):
Upon review of game tapes of the football game between the University of Georgia and Vanderbilt University, played in Nashville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011, Southeastern Conference Commissioner Mike Slive has announced that Vanderbilt sophomore center Logan Stewart, Georgia sophomore defensive lineman Kwame Geathers and Georgia junior defensive back Shawn Williams have been suspended for the first half of their team's next football games...
Geathers' action was in violation of NCAA Football Rule 2-32-1-a for fighting. By NCAA Football Rule 9-5-1-b, the penalty for violation of the rule in the second half includes suspension for the first half of the team's next scheduled game....
Williams' suspension is the result of a flagrant personal foul which occurred at the 2:08 mark in the third quarter. The action is in violation of Rule 9-1-4 of the NCAA Football Rule Book, which reads, "No player shall target and initiate contact to the head or neck area of a defenseless opponent with the helmet, forearm, elbow or shoulder."
For more on this game, visit Georgia blog Dawg Sports and Florida blog Alligator Army.