Florida's Dan Mullen has heated exchange with Vanderbilt's Derek Mason after vicious targeting block

Florida coach Dan Mullen and Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason got into an animated exchange near the end of the first half after a targeting penalty Saturday.

Mullen had to be held back from going after Mason as the coaches were on the field while Dare Odeyingbo was being tended to by Vanderbilt’s medical staff after he was viciously blocked by a Florida player.

The man in the background in the orange visor is Florida defensive coordinator Todd Grantham. Players from both teams made their way out onto the field after the coaches were shouting at each other.

The argument came after this block on a punt return by Florida’s James Houston that was ruled targeting. Odeyingbo walked off the field.

Since the teams came off the sidelines they were assessed unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. By rule, a player is ejected with two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. The mass penalty during the exchange between Mason and Mullen meant Florida LB Vosean Joseph received his second unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and was automatically ejected from the game.

Mullen was asked by ESPN’s Tom Luginbill at halftime about the incident. He didn’t comment much. He spent much of the first half unhappy with the officiating decisions.

“We’re not going to get into that, I’m sure that’s something [SEC commissioner] Greg Sankey and [coordinator of officials] Steve Shaw will handle. I’m sure they’re going to look at a lot in this game.”

After the game, a 37-27 win by No. 14 Florida, the two coaches were no longer unhappy with each other.

– – – – – – –

Nick Bromberg is a writer for Yahoo Sports.

Follow @NickBromberg on Twitter

More from Yahoo Sports:
• 49ers apologize for Kaepernick photo snub
• A-Rod pays the ultimate price after losing bet
• Brewers pitcher’s stunning home run off Kershaw
• NLCS Game 1 shows what baseball is in 2018