Should hit on Anthony Richardson that injured Florida QB have been a penalty?

There was debate as to whether Georgia should have been penalized for their hit on Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson in Week 9.

Returning from their bye week, the Florida Gators had a tough task this weekend. They took on their rivals and the No. 1 ranked team in the nation, the Georgia Bulldogs.

On their very first offensive play of the game, the Gators got a bit of a scare. Starting quarterback Anthony Richardson scrambled to the outside before stepping out of bounds. During the play, defensive back Javon Bullard hit Richardson in the thigh. In the process, it looked as though it caused Richardson to land awkwardly out of bounds

Florida fans may have thought the play should have been penalized, thinking that the hit happened as Richardson stepped out of bounds. but was that really the case?

Should Georgia hit on Anthony Richardson have been penalized?

The answer to that question is no.

When looking at the replay, Bullard’s hit on Richardson happened before the quarterback even stepped out of bounds. Take a look for yourselves, courtesy of Saturday Down South’s Connor O’Gara.

The Gators did not have a great first half all around, as the Bulldogs cruised to a 28-3 lead entering halftime. Perhaps the most brutal play of Florida’s first half was a tipped pass by defensive back Amari Burney landing into the hands of Georgia tight end Brock Bowers, who juggled before maintaining possession and taking it to the end zone for a 73-yard touchdown.

Florida’s lone points in the first half arrived on a 53-yard field goal by Adam Mihalek.

For Florida fans who were up in arms about Georgia not getting penalized for the hit on Richardson, now you know why. It was a legal hit before the quarterback stepped out of bounds.

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