Brendan Bett on spitting penalty in Florida’s loss: ‘I made a terrible mistake’
GAINESVILLE — Florida defensive lineman Brendan Bett said he “made a terrible mistake” for spitting on USF offensive lineman Cole Skinner, leading to a penalty that contributed to the Gators’ shocking 18-16 home loss on Saturday night.
Bett issued a statement on his social media accounts Monday night, two days after the incident that led to his ejection during the Bulls’ game-winning drive in the Swamp.
A Baylor transfer in his first year at UF, Bett apologized to teammates, coaches, fans and Skinner during a four-paragraph mea culpa.
“I want to sincerely apologize for my actions in the game this past Saturday,” he wrote. “I let down my teammates, coaches, family and all of Gator Nation. Our coaches always instill in us the value of sportsmanship and I crossed the line. I also want to apologize to South Florida.
“That’s not the person or player I strive to be. I made a terrible mistake and it won’t happen again.
“To Cole Skinner #56. There is no excuse for my actions. I’m truly sorry to both you and your family.
“To my family and friends … l know that my actions didn’t reflect the way I was raised and I regret the disappointment I caused. I take full responsibility. I pray that we can all move forward. Thanks for believing in me and I won’t let you down again.”
Whether Bett’s actions lead to a suspension before Saturday night’s game at No. 3 LSU remains undecided.
“We haven’t made that decision yet,” Gators coach Billy Napier told reporters Monday.
Napier said Bett will face some “internal discipline.”
Early in USF’s game-winning drive, officials flagged Bett for a 15-yard unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty and ejected him after he spit in the facemask of Skinner.
“He made a mistake and he compromised the team,” Napier said Monday. “He made a selfish decision. He misrepresented our fans, our alumni, the university.”
After Saturday night’s stunner in the Swamp, senior cornerback Devin Moore said he was disappointed in Bett.
“There’s no place for that as an individual and certainly representing the University of Florida,” Moore said. “There’s no place for that here. This is a prestigious program, and that will be addressed for sure.”
Bett did Monday night.
Before the penalty, the 6-foot-4, 308-pound Baylor transfer recorded five tackles against the Bulls, and has eight in 2025 while earning playing time amid star tackle Caleb Banks’ absence with a foot injury.
But Bett lost his cool and potentially cost the Gators the game against USF.
Starting from their 11-yard line, the Bulls went 87 yards in eight plays to set up a 20-yard field goal by Nico Gramatica as time expired.
Two penalties proved pivotal. A second-down pass-interference call on cornerback Dijon Johnson first cost UF 13 yards. On the next play, Bett committed his infraction.
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
Originally Published: September 8, 2025 at 9:27 PM EDT