A Florida football player was credited in helping stop a sexual assault outside a local Gainesville bar early Thursday morning.

Walk-on linebacker Cristian Garcia was one of two people who witnessed Christopher Shaw, 34, sexually assaulting an intoxicated woman behind a dumpster in midtown near popular bar 101 Cantina, at 1600 NW 1st Ave, and stepped in to intervene, according to a Gainesville Police Department arrest report. The alleged assault occurred around 2:20 a.m.

"The girl was basically unconscious, so I knew there was no way she could be giving consent," Garcia told FirstCoastNews.

After being confronted by Garcia and a fellow coworker, Shaw reportedly threw punches. Police later arrested him on Thursday evening. Garcia helped identify Shaw to police by a photo lineup.

A walk-on, Garcia played in one game during the 2015 season. He recorded four tackles in Florida's spring game and forced a fumble.

Shaw has been charged with a first-degree felony for sexual assault. He is in the Alachua County Jail, with bond set at $500,000. According to the arrest report, Shaw denied sexual contact with the victim.

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