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Despite 242 Yards, Harvin Feels Frustrated Following Loss

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 2, 2008

ORLANDO - Gators WR Percy Harvin was perhaps the only true bright spot in Florida's 41-35 loss to Michigan on Tuesday.

Harvin ran 13 times for 165 yards and a touchdown, averaging 12.7 per rush to set a Capital One Bowl record.

His 66-yard rush in the second quarter was the longest of the season and was just 1 yard less than his career-best rush, which occurred against Arkansas.

His stellar ground game was only half the story.

Harvin led the team in receiving with nine catches for 77 yards and one touchdown.

But Harvin's numbers failed to offer him any consolation after Florida's loss.

"We didn't come out with the win, so I'm not satisfied," Harvin said. "I'm going to get hungry. Get to the offseason and work hard and get everybody else to play on a certain level and hope to get back to the championship next year."

When offensive coordinator Dan Mullen was asked what Harvin could improve on for next season, Mullen smiled and said, "Me getting him the ball more."

QUESTIONABLE CALLS: Florida coach Urban Meyer might have some issues with the officiating crew after watching the game film.

In the second quarter, Harvin caught the ball in the end zone, which would have put Florida ahead 20-14, but the Gators were cited for an illegal formation. The officials said there were only six men on the line of scrimmage instead of seven.

Meyer said the formation was called an unbalanced formation and plans to evaluate the film in order to see if the officials made the wrong call.

"I was told by our guys that they were properly aligned," Meyer said. "If he the official did make a mistake, I'll be extremely upset now. Cause that's not the way it's supposed to be. Those are momentum shifts in the game that you can't have."

BACK AND FORTH: Freshman Mike Pouncey could still wind up on the offensive side of the ball next season.

Pouncey, who was originally the backup center before converting to the defensive line to start midway through the season, said he doesn't have a preference about playing on offense or defense.

"It doesn't matter to me as long as I'm playing," Pouncey said. "I just want to talk to the coaches and see what they say."

Pouncey played sporadically throughout the first half of Tuesday's game before hyperextending his knee at the beginning of the second half.

He returned later and shined when he intercepted Michigan QB Chad Henne's pass, which was tipped by Jermaine Cunningham, midway through the fourth quarter. The play set up Florida's final touchdown.

BUTTERFINGERS: Michigan RB Mike Hart's trusty hands let him down Tuesday.

After 1,004 touches without dropping the ball, Hart fumbled not once, but twice during the game. Prior to Monday, Hart had only fumbled once in his career.

UF freshman DE Justin Trattou forced Hart's first fumble, allowing sophomore Brandon Spikes to recover the ball at UF's 4-yard line with 6:25 remaining in the second quarter.

Freshman FS Major Wright forced Hart's second fumble late in the third quarter at the goal line. Wright also recorded his first career interception when he caught Henne's pass intended for Adrian Arrington at the 1-yard line in the second quarter.

Jenna Marina

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