Two Georgia players, one Vandy starter receive SEC punishment

Georgia nose tackle Kwame Geathers

Georgia nose tackle Kwame Geathers and safety Shawn Williams have been suspended for the first half of the Oct. 29 game against Florida for their actions in last week's game at Vanderbilt. Logan Stewart, a center for the Commodores, has been suspended for the first half of this week's game against Army.

SEC spokesman Charles Bloom said the postgame, on-field confrontation between Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham and Vandy head coach James Franklin will be handled internally between the league and the two schools.

Here is today's release 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.

For more information, read Thursday's Times Free Press