A targeting call led to a benches-clearing incident between Florida and Vanderbilt

Dan Mullen and Derek Mason found themselves locked in a heated exchange in the second quarter of the Florida Gators’ meeting with Vanderbilt on Saturday, and multiple Florida players wound up ejected after both benches emptied. A Vanderbilt punt with less than two minutes until halftime led to a pair of penalties on the Gators, including a targeting call assessed against James Houston IV for a crackback block on Dare Odeyingbo.

Odeyingbo, a defensive lineman for the Commodores, chased Florida wide receiver Freddie Swain to the right sideline during a punt return when Houston, a linebacker for the Gators, flung himself into the unsuspecting defender. Houston led with his helmet and referees…