Watch CBS News

Florida Teammates Fight Over Missing Cleats

GAINESVILLE (CBSMiami/AP) —Florida Gators football players are known to put up a good fight on the field, but Monday night a couple of players hashed it out – this time, against each other.

Florida coach Will Muschamp has another issue to deal with this week.

According to the University Police Department, reserve quarterback Skyler Mornhinweg, son of New York Jets offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg, and teammate Gerald Willis got into a fight over a pair of missing cleats Monday night.

Mornhinweg sustained "small lacerations on his lower lip" and was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, according to the police report. Willis had a "small cut on his chin" but did not get medical attention.

Mornhinweg told police the fight started Monday night after his missing cleats were located in Willis' locker. Mornhinweg said he asked Willis about the cleats outside Florida Field following practice, and their discussion escalated into a physical altercation.

Willis was no longer at the scene when police arrived, so an officer met with Willis at the football facility Tuesday. Willis told the officer he couldn't locate his cleats recently, feared being late to practice and grabbed the nearest pair to him.

Willis said the two exchanged words, adding that he felt threatened by Mornhinweg standing over him. Willis said he pushed Mornhinweg, who responded by striking Willis with a closed fist. Willis then struck Mornhinweg in the mouth.

Both players declined to press charges, closing the case.

The scuffle came hours after the team suspended quarterback Treon Harris. Authorities are investigating sexual assault allegations against him in an early Sunday incident.

With Harris out and third-string quarterback Will Grier recovering from back spasms, Mornhinweg could be the backup heading into Saturday night's game against LSU.

Mornhinweg, a third-year sophomore from Philadelphia, played in three games late last season after starter Jeff Driskel and backup Tyler Murphy were injured. The 6-foot-3, 212-pound Mornhinweg completed 70 percent of his passes for 344 yards, with three touchdowns and an interception.

Willis, a 6-foot-3, 255-pound freshman defensive lineman from New Orleans, has four tackles and half a sack in two games.

RELATED CONTENT:

(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.