Georgia's Ealey comes to Spikes' defense

• By The Associated Press
• Published: Nov 4, 2009

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ATHENS, Ga. — A most unlikely person came to the defense of Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes, who was suspended for half a game for apparently trying to gouge the eyes of Georgia running back Washaun Ealey.

Ealey said Tuesday he doesn’t believe Spikes should have been suspended.

In fact, Ealey seemed surprised the play from Saturday’s game drew so much attention.

Florida coach Urban Meyer on Monday suspended Spikes for the first half of this week’s game against Vanderbilt after the defensive captain stuck his hand in Ealey’s helmet and appeared to try to stick his fingers in Ealey’s eyes.

Ealey said he doesn’t agree with those who have said the suspension was not stiff enough.

“That really didn’t matter to me,” Ealey said of the suspension. “That’s their decision. He shouldn’t, I think, get suspended at all. We were just out there playing football.”

Ealey said he had his eyes closed when Spikes stuck his hand in his helmet and he wasn’t hurt. “He really didn’t gouge my eyes,” Ealey said. “He really didn’t get a chance to get close to my eyes.

“I’m pretty sure it goes on back and forth,” Ealey said. “We probably do it and other teams do too. It’s all football. We’re just out there trying to have fun.”

SC safety Culliver out

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina safety Chris Culliver will miss Saturday’s game against Arkansas.

Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier said Tuesday that Culliver’s left shoulder is still bothering him. But the coach also said he is angry the junior didn’t report how sore his shoulder was before last Saturday’s game against Tennessee.

Culliver missed some tackles against the Volunteers because he didn’t want to hurt the shoulder more. It’s the same shoulder he had surgery on during the offseason.

Culliver is third on the team in tackles and has started every game this season.