Associated Press
GAINESVILLE, Fla. ó Top-ranked Florida will be without star linebacker Brandon Spikes (Crest) for the first half of Saturday’s game against Vanderbilt.
Coach Urban Meyer suspended Spikes on Monday, two days after the defensive captain apparently attempted to gouge the eyes of Georgia running back Washaun Ealey in a 41-17 victory.
“I don’t condone that,” Meyer said. “I understand what goes on on the football (field), but there’s no place for that. We’re going to suspend Brandon for the first half of the Vanderbilt game. I spoke with him. That’s not who he is. That’s not who we are. He got caught up in emotion.”
Spikes issued a statement apologizing for what he did.
“I accept responsibility for my actions and I accept the consequences of my actions,” he said. “I would like to apologize to my team and the coaching staff and Washaun Ealey. Football is a very physical and emotional game, but there is no excuse for my actions.”
Meyer said Spikes was retaliating after getting his helmet ripped off and eye poked earlier in the game.
ACC
GREENSBORO ó Miami’s Jacory Harris and Duke’s Thaddeus Lewis were named co-offensive backs of the week by the ACC.
They were joined by Duke kicker Will Snyderwine and receiver Connor Vernon, Florida State guard Rodney Hudson, North Carolina defensive tackle Tydreke Powell and Boston College defensive back Luke Kuechly.
SYRACUSE
SYRACUSE, N.Y. ó Syracuse coach Doug Marrone defended quarterback Greg Paulus.
The former Duke point guard was booed Saturday during a 28-7 loss to Cincinnati at the Carrier Dome.
“I’ve never seen an athlete at any level, including the NFL, work as hard mentally and physically as Greg has worked since he’s joined us here,” Marrone said.
“Really, what he’s accomplished is extraordinary. Maybe he can’t be fully appreciated because most don’t know just how difficult it is to play quarterback at a Division I program.”
In Syracuse’s first two Big East games, Paulus threw six interceptions. He had another in the second quarter against the Bearcats, in the end zone with the Orange trailing 14-7.
AUBURN
AUBURN, Ala. ó Strong safety Zac Etheridge has been released from the hospital two days after suffering a neck injury against Mississippi.