CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — Virginia defensive end Ben Smiley III was ejected in the fourth quarter for unsportsmanlike conduct after scuffling with Clemson players and even one of his own teammates on Saturday.
Smiley would not stop pushing and shouting at the Tigers after the whistle was blown in the fourth quarter. One of his Cavaliers teammates tried to lead him away from the group, but Smiley pushed that player’s arms off him as officials threw a penalty flag.
Smiley was the only player cited in the scuffle, which happened with Clemson ahead 38-17. The Cavaliers fell to the Tigers, 48-31.
Virginia coach Tony Elliott said Smiley’s actions were out of character for him but that he took accountability for them. “Unacceptable for him to react that way,” Elliott said.
Smiley is a 6-foot-4, 308-pound grad student from Norfolk, Virginia, in his sixth year with the Cavaliers program. He had eight tackles, including one behind the line of scrimmage this season.
It was the second opponent ejection at Death Valley this season. On Sept. 21, N.C. State defensive lineman Anthony Belton was ejected for spitting at a Clemson player right before halftime in the Tigers’ 59-35 victory.
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