Spikes suspended for a half
GAINESVILLE (AP) – 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 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.”
Meyer’s wife mentioned Spikes’ actions to him Sunday night, then defensive coordinator Charlie Strong did the same Monday morning. Meyer 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.
The SEC issued a statement saying it reviewed and accepted the discipline handed down by Florida.
“We understand the game of football,” Meyer said. “Some of us have played it. Very emotional things happened in that game in particular that were not good for either side, but the bottom line is we’re Florida and he’s Brandon Spikes and we expect certain things. He understands.”
Spikes is fourth on the team with 42 tackles and has three sacks.