Gators discipline star linebacker
Top-ranked Florida will be without star linebacker Brandon Spikes for the first half of Saturday's game against Vanderbilt.
Coach Urban Meyer suspended Spikes yesterday, 2 days after the defensive captain apparently attempted to gouge the eyes of Georgia running back Washaun Ealey in a 41-17 victory.
Associated Press
Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes (center) will sit out first half of Saturday's game vs. Vanderbilt.
"I don't condone that," Meyer said.
Meyer's wife mentioned Spikes' actions to him Sunday night, then defensive coordinator Charlie Strong did the same yesterday morning. Meyer's said his first reaction was to move on. Then he saw a replay of the incident, which shows Spikes shoving his glove-covered right hand into Ealey's facemask and moving it back and forth.
Meyer then spoke to Spikes and determined he was retaliating after getting his helmet ripped off and eye poked earlier in the game. Meyer also talked to Southeastern Conference commissioner Mike Slive, but Florida officials said it was Meyer's decision to suspend Spikes.
Noteworthy
* Oregon coach Chip Kelly said there is nothing to report about the possible reinstatement of suspended running back LeGarrette Blount.
Blount was suspended for punching Boise State defensive end Byron Hout in the aftermath of Oregon's season-opening loss to the Broncos. He was suspended for the season by Kelly the next day, but allowed to continue practicing with the team.
Kelly later announced that Blount could be reinstated if he met certain conditions.
* Tony Pike will practice with fourth-ranked Cincinnati this week, his status still uncertain because of an injury to his non-passing arm.
Coach Brian Kelly said the senior quarterback will participate in more practice drills. Then Kelly will decide whether he has a chance to play on Saturday night against Connecticut.
Pike broke his left forearm last season, had a plate and six screws inserted, and returned after missing two games. The plate was damaged in a win over South Florida on Oct. 15, and Pike had to have the plate replaced.
* Syracuse wide receiver Mike Williams has quit the team.
Williams, one of the top receivers in the country, was suspended for Syracuse's game against Akron 9 days ago for violating team policy.
He ranks sixth nationally with 106.57 receiving yards per game and his seven receptions per game ties for 14th in the country.
* Auburn strong safety Zac Etheridge was released from the hospital 2 days after suffering a neck injury against Mississippi.
* The son of legendary Michigan football coach Bo Schembechler is suing his stepmother over concerns about a trust her late husband created. Glenn Schembechler III filed the lawsuit against Kathryn Schembechler, his father's third wife, in federal court in Columbus, Ohio.
The lawsuit alleges that Kathryn Schembechler, of Boca Grande, Fla., is not providing Glenn Schembechler with quarterly statements about the trust that he's entitled to.
Glenn Schembechler was the only son of Bo and Millie Schembechler, the coach's second wife.
