Was it a clean hit? Florida’s Justus Boone sacks Kentucky’s Will Levis
All eyes were on the quarterbacks coming into Florida’s matchup with the Kentucky Wildcats, but it’s the defense that’s turning heads early.
Gervon Dexter Sr. kicked things off with the first Gators sack of the season during the Wildcats’ first drive, but it’s defensive end Justus Boone’s leveling hit on UK quarterback Will Levis that has people talking. The Swamp immediately erupted after Levis went down, but a flag for targeting quickly changed the mood in Gainesville.
After a fairly short review of the play, the referees overturned the call and ruled there was no targeting or intent to go after Levis’s head from Boone. That meant that the sack and seven-yard loss held up as well, making it easy for the Gators to force a punt.
Here is a look at the big hit itself and the social media reaction to Boone’s first sack of the season.
On3's Zach Abolverdi got a great shot from the sidelines of the big hit
BOOM!
Justus Boone levels Kentucky QB Will Levis. https://t.co/heoYZm1TtY | @GatorsOnline pic.twitter.com/cYaiLQIRSw
— Zach Abolverdi (@ZachAbolverdi) September 10, 2022
Once the targeting call was reversed, UF fans could celebrate
Refs say there was no targeting, so Boone officially posts UF's first sack.
Gervon Dexter and Trey Dean's earlier hit on Levis was called a tackle for loss.
— Zach Goodall (@zach_goodall) September 10, 2022
College football twitter quickly caught on
Will Levis knocked all the way back to Penn State by Justus Boone 💥
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) September 10, 2022
Another look at that sack by Justus Boone. 💥
The #Gators are playing with a different level of aggressiveness this season. pic.twitter.com/e7Fl05ssrG
— Diandra Loux (@Diandra_loux) September 10, 2022
Massive run stop by Gervon Dexter on 3rd and 17. Justus Boone's sack moved Kentucky out of field goal range so the Wildcats will punt.
— Zach Goodall (@zach_goodall) September 10, 2022
The banana talk came out fast...
I'd rather eat a banana with the peel than take that hit from Justus Boone. https://t.co/eSXxld2txM
— Mark Long (@APMarkLong) September 10, 2022
It was a pretty eventful quarter for the Gators defense
Six #Gators now either with sack, TFL or QB hurry.
— Edgar Thompson (@osgators) September 10, 2022
And it things aren't slowing down...
Will Levis is going to need an ice bath on the charter home.
— Nick de la Torre (@delatorre) September 10, 2022
[listicle id=91543]
[listicle id=91526]
[listicle id=91470]
Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
Let us know your thoughts and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today!
UK fans weren't pleased with the call
As a reminder, this horrendous targeting call basically cost the Cats the game in 2019. So forgive us if we’re a bit chapped https://t.co/2NgbGkwXhW
— Jacob Tamme (@JacobTamme) September 10, 2022
[listicle id=91543]
[listicle id=91526]
Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
Let us know your thoughts and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today!
Read more
