Kwame Geathers, Shawn Williams suspended for first half of Florida Game

Georgia nose guard Kwame Geathers and strong safety Shawn Williams have each been suspended for the first half of the Florida game, the SEC announced today.

Geathers and Williams were both penalized for their actions during Saturday’s game at Vanderbilt. Geathers is being suspended for “fighting” and Williams for a “flagrant personal foul.”

Vanderbilt center Logan Stewart was also given a one-half game suspension. His “flagrant personal foul” is what prompted Geathers to retaliate.

Each player was suspended for the first half of the next game. Vanderbilt hosts Army on Saturday while Georgia plays Florida in Jacksonville on Oct. 29.

From the SEC:

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.

Vanderbilt hosts Army this Saturday while Georgia plays Florida in Jacksonville on Oct. 29.

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.

On the same play, Stewart’s suspension is the result of a flagrant personal foul which occurred at the 13:09 mark in the fourth quarter. The action is in violation of Rule 9-1 of the NCAA Football Rule Book, which states that a flagrant personal foul offender shall be disqualified.

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.”

This action is taken in accordance with Southeastern Conference Constitution, Article 4.4.2 (d), which states that a student-athlete may be suspended if it is determined that the student-athlete has committed a flagrant or unsportsmanlike act.

Below is a video of the clip by Logan Stewart on Kwame Geathers (no. 99). Geathers then turns around and punches Stewart:

Below is a video of the foul by Shawn Williams (no. 36). The hit takes place near the SEC logo and the 30 yard line: