Warmups between LSU and Florida erupt into multiple scuffles before kickoff

Players from LSU and Florida engaged in multiple scuffles on the field about an hour and a half before kickoff Saturday, as warmups for the rivalry game in Baton Rouge descended into brief melees that required intervention from coaches and officials.

Teams had taken the field for pregame routines ahead of the 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff when members of the two staffs began pushing and shoving, according to video of the incident. A large crowd of players from both sidelines congregated as coaches and game officials moved in to separate the groups. After an initial scrum dissipated, a second altercation began moments later and an official was seen throwing a penalty flag.

It was not immediately clear from available footage which player or team instigated either incident, which team the flag was thrown on, or what disciplinary action — if any — would follow. Both schools and the Southeastern Conference routinely review game footage and may assess penalties or other sanctions after such incidents, but no official rulings had been announced in the minutes following the scuffles.

The matchup between LSU and Florida is one of the more heated rivalries in the SEC. LSU entered the season ranked ninth in some preseason polls and had opened the year 3-0, rising to be regarded among the top teams in the country. Florida began the season ranked 15th, briefly moved to 13th, and then fell out of the top 25 following a loss to unranked South Florida.

Coaches from both programs and game officials worked to restore order on the field before the teams returned to their locker rooms to complete pregame preparations. Stadium security and sideline staff were visible as the situation unfolded, and play proceeded once officials and coaches had cleared the area.

The schools and the Southeastern Conference typically review on-field incidents for possible fines, suspensions or in-game penalties. Game officials can assess personal foul or unsportsmanlike-conduct penalties during the contest, and postgame reviews can result in additional discipline. As of the initial reports, neither team had released a statement explaining the cause of the altercations or identifying players involved.

Thursday’s events follow a season-opening stretch in which both programs have sought to establish momentum in SEC play. The outcome of any disciplinary review could affect player availability in the coming weeks, depending on the conference's or institutions' findings and any penalties levied.