Florida’s Brendan Bett Ejected for Spitting, Penalty Sets Up South Florida’s Last-Second Win

Florida defensive lineman Brendan Bett was ejected late in Saturday night’s in‑state rivalry game after he appeared to spit on South Florida’s Cole Skinner, a misconduct that drew a 15‑yard penalty and set up the Bulls’ game‑winning field goal in a 18‑16 upset.

The incident occurred in the fourth quarter with Florida leading 16‑15. Bett confronted Skinner and was immediately ejected. Officials assessed a 15‑yard penalty on the Gators that moved South Florida to its own 39‑yard line. On the following play, Bulls running back Isaac Alvin broke off a 29‑yard run that placed South Florida well into Florida territory. The Bulls converted the opportunity with a 20‑yard field goal as time expired to secure the victory.

The ejection and ensuing penalty proved decisive in a game that ended with unranked South Florida handing the Gators a stunning loss. Florida head coach Billy Napier’s team had held a one‑point lead moments before Bett’s removal. Social media reaction to the sequence and the result was swift, with many users criticizing the Gators both for the conduct and for allowing the late momentum shift.

Bett’s ejection drew heightened attention because it came two days after a separate high‑profile incident involving NFL player Jalen Carter in the season opener. The proximity of the incidents reignited debate over player conduct in major college and professional football games.

No immediate statement was released by Florida athletics regarding disciplinary measures beyond the in‑game ejection. The university and coaching staff did not provide comment at the venue after the game.

The loss adds pressure to Florida’s program early in the season and marks a notable turnaround for South Florida, which had been considered an underdog. Bett, a starter on the Gators’ defensive line, will miss the remainder of the game due to the ejection; further suspensions or penalties would depend on any review conducted by the school or conference.

Saturday’s result will reverberate through conference conversations and could affect Florida’s standing and public perception as the team prepares for its next matchup. South Florida’s late rally underscored the impact a single penalty can have in a closely contested rivalry game and left the Gators to address both the loss and the conduct that precipitated it.