Colleges

The Percy Harvin Show

The sophomore becomes the first Gator with 100-plus yards rushing and receiving.

By ANTONYA ENGLISH, Times Staff Writer
Published November 4, 2007

GAINESVILLE - Early last week, coach Urban Meyer concluded Florida's best chance to win its remaining four games was getting the ball in Percy Harvin's hands.

Running, receiving, whatever. Just give the ball to Percy.

Saturday, the sophomore got the ball 20 times, and it was exactly as Meyer envisioned. Reeling from losing three of four, the No. 18 Gators rode Harvin to a 49-22 homecoming win over Vanderbilt in front of 90,222 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. It was the Gators' 17th consecutive victory over the Commodores.

Harvin rushed for 113 yards on 11 carries and had nine receptions for 110 yards, becoming the first player in Florida history to gain more than 100 yards rushing and receiving in a game.

"That was a great achievement considering all the great players and all the great wide receivers that have played here," Harvin said. "But a lot of that goes to my offensive line. They made huge holes. I felt like anybody could have run through them. I've been real hungry for this. I was prepared for this game."

Facing an improved defense that entered No. 3 in the SEC and was allowing just 17.4 points per game, Florida 6-3, 4-3 SEC scored on five of its first six possessions and led 35-7 at halftime. Harvin was responsible for 10 of the Gators' 19 first downs in the first half and 13 of 29 overall.

"He's one of the most dynamic playmakers in the country," Meyer said. "He's strong. He's powerful, and he's a heck of a football player."

And in a twist, Florida's defense played better than it had in a month. It held the Commodores (5-4, 2-4) to 255 yards and Earl Bennett, the SEC's all-time leading receiver, to five catches for 31 yards. Co-defensive coordinator Greg Mattison believed so strongly the defense would play better, he asked Meyer to defer receiving the ball until the second half.

"I felt like the whole defense fed off of that," said linebacker Brandon Spikes, who had a game-high 14 tackles and his first career interception.

Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, still nursing a sore right shoulder, was 27-of-22 for 281 yards and one interception. He also rushed for two touchdowns. Senior Andre Caldwell had a career-high nine receptions for 103 yards.

Offensive coordinator Dan Mullen said Harvin's play opened things up for the rest of the offense. Harvin agreed.

"It's not only me, it's (Caldwell) and some of the other wide receivers," he said. "We're ready to take games over and let our abilities take over. Coach Meyer said that to us at practice, and now he's finally ready to throw it all around."

Meyer knows there's a fine line in using Harvin too much but said he's willing to take that risk.

"This is it. There's no tomorrow," Meyer said. "He's one of our better football players. And he's as good a runner as he is a receiver. I think you do get concerned about how many shots can he take. But pound for pound, he's as strong a player as we have on the team.

"I've talked to him about that. We're going to ride the horses now. It's down to one game. We're in November fighting for our lives in the SEC. So we've got to give him the ball."

Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson said Harvin was the difference in the game.

"I'd take him," he said, "take him back on the plane."

Florida closes out its SEC season and will try to stay in the East race with a game at South Carolina on Saturday.

"It's huge. I think (the division is) going to come down to that game," Meyer said. "Our team believes that, and obviously South Carolina is a heck of a team, a heck of a coach (Steve Spurrier).

"It's going to be a great atmosphere."

Vanderbilt 22

[Last modified November 3, 2007, 21:57:33]