NCAA reportedly investigating Florida (but temper excitement)

Maybe Maurkice Pouncey (56) can use the, "It wasn't me, it was my brother (55)" excuse.

Maybe Maurkice Pouncey (56) can use the, "It wasn't me, it was my brother (55)" excuse.

Those dirty, cheatin’ Florida Gators may be under NCAA investigation.

But seriously, don’t get too excited, folks.

According to report by ESPN.com, the NCAA is investigating an allegation that former Florida center Maurkice Pouncey, a first-round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers, was paid $100,000 by a representative of an agent some time after the Florida-Alabama SEC championship game against and before the Gators’ appearance in the Sugar Bowl against Cincinnati.

Let’s consider the worst-case scenario: Pouncey is guilty. That means Florida used an ineligible player in the Sugar Bowl. The ramifications: They would have to forfeit one win over the Cincinnati Bearcats.

So much the earth-shaking news in Gainesville. Or the parade in Athens.

Barring the NCAA finding Florida in violation of other allegations, the only way the Gators get slapped with a more significant penalty than vacating one win is if the NCAA finds that Florida knowingly used an illegal player in the Sugar Bowl. That issue was at the root of USC’s two-year probation with Reggie Bush. The difference is, Bush’s reported benefits took place over a series of several months, including his family living rent-free in a home that was provided by a sports marketing representative. The NCAA determined that the Trojans must have been aware of benefits Bush was receiving over a long period of time.

If Pouncey took $100,000 from the agent in the time frame that has been outlined, the NCAA would have to prove that Florida became aware of it after the SEC championship (Dec. 5) and before the Sugar Bowl (Jan. 1), a period of four weeks (some of which was a holiday break for players). It doesn’t seem likely the NCAA could prove that — nor does it seem plausible that coach Urban Meyer would care enough to cover up allegations of one player taking money from an agent for the sake of one bowl game that didn’t have national championship ramifications.

By the way, for the record, Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley said: “At this time we have no information that has indicated that there are any compliance issues for the University of Florida.”

The NCAA will take it from here.

So let me guess: You believe Florida should be hit with three years probation and loss of 30 scholarships?

Earlier today: Sneak Peek Monday:

Can Dogs end Alabama-Florida monopoly in SEC title game?

Can Jackets make it back to the ACC title game?


Follow me on Twitter @JeffSchultzAJC and Facebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC

214 comments Add your comment

Reality

July 19th, 2010
8:25 pm

Mike T.

July 19th, 2010
5:31 pm
And how many SEC and NC does your sorry little team have?
Same number as Bama None. National Championships are mythical.Unoffical.

Twelve SEC.

Name them.

Jesse James

July 19th, 2010
8:26 pm

Yea Pi$$onadawg – Why did she give you a name like that? Don’t get on hear playing any sympathy game when I have seen some of the comments you have made. Nothing on hear is personal. If you take it that way you need to stay off and change your name.

NOBODYYOUKNOW

July 19th, 2010
8:26 pm

You’re kidding, the gators”poke em in the eye, kick em in groin” Fla. Gators? Urban mire in the mud, Myer. They win any way they can.

Jesse James

July 19th, 2010
8:27 pm

I meant here!

Reality

July 19th, 2010
8:28 pm

Reality

July 19th, 2010
8:25 pm

And I suppose the Sears Trophy, the Crystal football; really wasn’t given to LSU, Florida and Bama?

I do agree with you on one thing—-GA’s chances of winning one of these….”mythical, unofficial”.

FORTY ONE POINTS to your seventeen points

July 19th, 2010
8:31 pm

In your dreams THUGA….

((((((((((((((((((((((41-17)))))))))))))))))

Gainesville D.A. is a Gator booster

July 19th, 2010
8:32 pm

I am surprised the district attorney in Gainesville let this information get out in the public. He has been covering up scandals in Gainesville for years. He is invested in the Gator program and he will continue to look our for the best interest of the program.

FORTY NINE POINTS to your ten points

July 19th, 2010
8:32 pm

Remember me? I’m 1 year older than my brother….

((((((((((((((((((((((((49-10))))))))))))))))))))

Paul in RDU

July 19th, 2010
8:35 pm

Congratulations to UGA for moving to the top of the latest standings for the Fulmer Cup

http://www.everydayshouldbesaturday.com/

Wayxbulldawg

July 19th, 2010
8:37 pm

The only games percy harvin missed was when he sat out due to ahem migrain headaches. (Actually failed drug tests) but cum the liar claimed it was because of headaches. Oh yeah he recruited Tebow to UF to play linebacker.

Branden Spiks

July 19th, 2010
8:39 pm

SHultz why you h8in dawg?

Gatorbait

July 19th, 2010
8:50 pm

Meyer ruined Harvin? Destin Dawg, Harvin was named NFL rookie of the year.

Gatorbait

July 19th, 2010
8:51 pm

I- sorry Meyer’s job is to win football games, and he has done a good job doing that. It is not to make them good NFL players.

McDonoughGator

July 19th, 2010
8:59 pm

Jeff,

I have respected you as a sports journalist, but this is an “Enquirer” type of headline. You should apologize to the Bulldog fans and alumni. Yes, I know how the Dawg fans hate the Gators, but come on, you are really questioning their loyalty and intelligence with this column.

Wy Don’t you talk about the strength and weaknesses of both teams? Why not talk about the new quarterbacks, new DC’s, and their respected opponents? Do you think, UF, UGA, or any other respectable unversity would not notify the NCAA of any type of infraction?

Again, I understand this is a Georgia paper, but before “dummy down” the local fans, why don’t you think before you write some crap headline like this?

I think you and Mark Bradley should go work for TMZ. This way you guys could use your marginal talent on Lindsey Lohan, Kim Kardashian, and Lane Kiffin.

Give me Tony Barnhardt any time. I think the majority of intelligent college football fans would agree with my post.

Envy

July 19th, 2010
9:04 pm

Hey dawgs- 17 out of 20.

Have an excellent night!

Tide Rising

July 19th, 2010
9:08 pm

Its a shame what he did to that dog,

We’ve never won a national title in anything other than football? Not quite We’ve won a few gymnastics national titles to start. I reckon you never let the facts get in the way of your argument. And while ESPN lists 7 NCs I’ve seen several articles that list 8. But whose counting anyway since they are all mythical anyway? Right? 22 sec titles. I suppose those are all mythical also.

BuckBelue

July 19th, 2010
9:19 pm

Well at least we can always watch reruns of Run Lindsay Run after the BOHICA we’ll get in Jax once again this year… Nothing in this story changes the outcome in Jax we’ve come to expect over the last 2 decades… Man I wish Herscel and I still had some eligibility…

Tyler

July 19th, 2010
9:38 pm

Did uga hand out how not to get a dui at dawg night?

Gatorbait

July 19th, 2010
9:40 pm

Wave those red panties at all the games this year

Duluth Gator

July 19th, 2010
9:41 pm

Ruin Harvin??? Come on Destin Dawg get a clue. The kid did not play in the SEC Championship vs. Bama and sat out several games during his career at Florida and as Gator Bait blogged, Harvin was NFL Rookie of the Year. Now, what award did your #1 pick Stafford get and what were his stats?

Otis the drunk

July 19th, 2010
10:17 pm

Say, did you hear about the Florida alum with a great dane named Christie Brinkley at least he didn’t gouge her eye.

TampaGator

July 19th, 2010
10:26 pm

NEWS FLASH>>>>>>>>>>>Pouncey denies charges……

If you have not heard, Maurkice Pouncey has made a statement that the allegation against him is not true and that he did not accept any money from an agent before the Sugar Bowl. He did say he used a deferred line of credit to buy a car and some jewlery but that was after the Sugar Bowl and before the NFL draft. The money was to be paid back to the bank after his contract bonus was received (the same kind of loan LeBron James received before the NBA draft before he graduated from high school). I believe Maurkice. He is a stand up guy….and honest. So I fully believe both Pouncey and the U of F will be cleared of any wrong doing. I JUST WONDER NOW WHO IT WAS THAT FILED THESE CHARGES AGAINST FLORIDA AND POUNCEY?

ryan

July 19th, 2010
11:10 pm

Just like the Roman Empire it all comes crashing down!

Hunker Down

July 19th, 2010
11:13 pm

News flash….hope he is telling the truth but unfortunately people do sometimes lie

College Football – WJHG-TV | Bet 31

July 19th, 2010
11:16 pm

[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]

TommyJack

July 19th, 2010
11:22 pm

Anything bad for the gators is ok by me.

[...] Florida, NCAA probe violation allegationGlobe and Mailmsnbc.com -ESPN -Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)all 166 news [...]

Noleman28

July 20th, 2010
2:01 am

Tampa Gator …….. Tebow shouldn’t have been drafted where he was. He shouldn’t have been a 1st round pick. Denver was crazy enough to pick him there though. We’ll see what happens. I still don’t think he’ll do much at all in the NFL as a QB. He’ll wind up at FB/TE eventually…it’s just a matter of WHEN not IF. He was a good college QB in that offense, but he’s not going to be a good NFL QB. I expect we’ll see him run some wildcat and short yardage stuff but he’ll never be an effective every down QB. I’ll come back and eat my words w/a side order of squash casserole if I’m wrong.

Noleman28

July 20th, 2010
2:10 am

Duluth Gator … I’m obviously not a UGA guy but even the dumbest of NFL fans could tell you that it’s a HELLUVA lot tougher for a rookie QB to put up sparkling numbers, especially when playing for one of the worst teams the NFL has seen over the past 20+ years. I know you’ve gotta come up with some kind of trash talk but good lord at least make it halfway intelligent.

Brandon Spikes

July 20th, 2010
2:21 am

i’m going to start gouging the eyes of random peeps till i find out who let out this stuff on M-Po!!!! even if it is true imma still do some eye gouging. believe that!!! corch meyers showed me that eye gouging ain’t no thing when he only made me sit out the coin toss. whatever it takes!!! rules are for sissies!!

Brandon Spikes

July 20th, 2010
2:26 am

waive those eye patches y’all!!!

Hunker Down

July 20th, 2010
2:42 am

Noleman28
I think the one position in particular it really helps to stay and play your senior season is the QB spot. I understand completely why Stafford did what he did as there was way too much money on the table and changes with the NFL policy that would affect him the following season. Yes, he was the number one pick and in fairness to Stafford the lions OL is lacking putting it very nicely. Therefore, a rookie QB on the worst team in the NFL what do you expect? Still, he is a starter and at the very best Tebow will be a 2nd sting backup. Kid has a huge heart and even though I am not a Gator fan it is hard to like TT as a person and competitor. I agree with you I think Denver wasted a first round pick and I might eat crow if he proves me wrong. It worked at the college level at UF and their offense but it won’t in the NFL. The speed of the game is quicker and a running qb in the nfl tend to have health issues sonner or later as someone is going to cathcup up with you sooner or later bigger and stronger.

Hunker Down

July 20th, 2010
2:43 am

that should read hard not to like TT

Big D Dawg

July 20th, 2010
2:59 am

if they are CONvicted by the NCaa then it’s vacate the win and lose their share of the money!

Dawgs Rule

July 20th, 2010
7:57 am

I think TampaGator has a HUGE man crush on Heblow, er, I mean Tebow.

Dawgs Rule

July 20th, 2010
8:01 am

GatorBait,

you talkin’ about that Harvin kid who scored a 7 on the Wonderlich test? How in the HE!! was he even accepted to college and remain eligible while there? Oh wait, he played at Florida!!

Jacob

July 20th, 2010
8:06 am

Typical for “Dawg” fans, they will grasp at anything to make themselvs feel better about the program they cheer for. Schultz is a hack dawg fan.

TampaGator

July 20th, 2010
8:50 am

Noleman28…..

Tebow was a number one draft pick…period….and I don’t think the Denver H-coach (or organization for that matter)is stupid. If Tebow fixes his delivery mechanics (which it seems he has done)and improves his ability to read coverages (which was a problem him in college) he has the brains and the arm (and body) to be a really good QB in the NFL. He is a bigger version of Steve Young (with a stronger arm)…and Steve Young did just fine in the NFL in the right offense (because he was very smart). And they said Michael Vick would not be able to run in the NFL….but he did just fine. He just couldn’t pass the ball with any amount of accuracy….and he was NOT very smart. I believe Tebow will retire if he does not make it at QB. You will never, I believe, see him line up at H-back or TE in the NFL. I thik Tebow would prefer preaching in prisons to that option.

Dawgs Rule…..

for the record….I think you are homophobic like a lot of people who blog on the AJC…..and I mean…homophobic….and probably not too bright either….based on your simple-minded post.

TampaGator

July 20th, 2010
8:56 am

DawgsRule….

and…..yeah, Harvin really had a hard time picking up on that complicated offense the Vikes run….right? He was only the NFL “Rookie of the Year”. Bright enough I think….and Favre was bight enough to get him the damn ball.

…..you know that they say about people who always enjoy put down other people…don’t you?

Dawgs Rule

July 20th, 2010
9:16 am

TampaFool,

that does not explain his staying eligible at Floriduh. You are such a genius trying to figure out people’s mental capacity from posts on blogs huh? Get a life loser!!! We all know your undying infatuation with Mr. “Um….um….um” Tebow. You weren’t one of his boyfriends in Gainesville were you? Was that you in that picture with him?

Dawgs Rule

July 20th, 2010
9:18 am

BTW, Mike Vick ran a 4.3 40….Tebow is about a 4.9 40!! Big difference in the NFL!

Call IT

July 20th, 2010
9:18 am

Yeah, they are the only ones, NOT!

Funny when you have only won one NC in 30 years that you want to throw stones with red panties on your heads. LMAO!

Gators OWN the East 2010!

Enough Said!

Urban Meyer

July 20th, 2010
9:24 am

“Temper your excitement” doesn’t that just say it all about Georgia compared to Florida athletics. Hey Dawgs, we’ll see you for your annual beatdown in Jacksonville.

Dawgs Rule

July 20th, 2010
9:28 am

Better than shooting AK 47’s with a mullett on your head and jorts on your torso!!

It's a shame what he did to that dog.

July 20th, 2010
9:38 am

“We’ve never won a national title in anything other than football?”

Nope. Nada. Zero. Zilch.

“We’ve won a few gymnastics national titles to start. I reckon you never let the facts get in the way of your argument. ”

Like I said, take it up with ESPN, ma’am.

“And while ESPN lists 7 NCs I’ve seen several articles that list 8. But whose counting anyway since they are all mythical anyway? Right? 22 sec titles. I suppose those are all mythical also.”

Nothing like a bruised ego. LOL!

Justin

July 20th, 2010
9:57 am

you georgia fans make me laugh… Go Gators!

…and of course GO BRAVES!!!!!!

Bulldog59

July 20th, 2010
10:19 am

TampaGator. Only time will tell how good Tebow will or won’t be in the NFL. Denver could have probably taken him much lower in the draft, but we’ll never know. This draft wasn’t real deep in QB talent.

But, to your point, “If Tebow fixes his delivery mechanics (which it seems he has done)and improves his ability to read coverages (which was a problem him in college)….” Those are 2 pretty big flaws to “fix” on a first-round pick.

Bottom line, he was drafted on potential, so we’ll see. The interesting comparison will be Tebow’s progress versus the progress of Claussen (round 2 – Panthers) and McCoy (round 3 – Browns), as well as some other lesser known QBs.

Agreed, I don’t think he’ll waste a lot of time in the NFL. If he doesn’t feel like he is progressing, I’d expect him to move on to some sort of ministry. He seems to keep everything in perspective more than most.

[...] ♦ NCAA reportedly investigating Florida (but temper excitement) [...]

RUSS GATA

July 20th, 2010
11:58 am

Lots of penalties for the SEC. Why? The PAC 10-12? got nem. Administrators have to administrate-or forfeit Hawaian or Florida confrences where they go to administrate.. Everybody pays but the BIG TEN. They will thro down on Michigan State or minnesota and Iowa if they really want to act like they mean business this time. Check the NCAA from its history has been Big 10 led.

meh

July 20th, 2010
12:07 pm

bunch of lying reptiles.