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Harvin Putting On A Show

Tribune photo by SCOTT ISKOWITZ

Harvin's 167 rushing yards give him 476 for the season to go along with 519 receiving yards.

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By KARL HYPPOLITE

Tribune Correspondent

Published: November 16, 2008

GAINESVILLE - Welcome to the Percy Harvin Show.

While most have been in awe with freshman speedsters Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey and the return of QB Tim Tebow to his Heisman form of 2007, Harvin has quietly put together another spectacular season.

Harvin's 167 rushing yards give him 476 for the season to go along with 519 receiving yards.

His two rushing touchdowns also put him at 14 total (seven rushing, seven receiving) for the season.

"I'm whatever this team needs me to be," Harvin said. "If they need me to be a running back, it doesn't matter."

Harvin's first score came on a 26-yard run in the first quarter that gave Florida a 14-0 lead. His second came on an 80-yard touchdown run on the first play of the second half.

"It's a great feeling," Harvin said. "I don't know if I've played in the second half the past five or six games. Beating teams by this much we know we're pretty close."

Hicks Excels

The man at the forefront of much of Florida's defensive domination Saturday isn't even the first guy at his own position.

LB Brandon Hicks received the start against South Carolina because A.J. Jones was sidelined with a sprained PCL and certainly took advantage of his opportunity.

Hicks applied pressure on each of Gamecocks QB Chris Smelley's interceptions. With South Carolina facing third-and-5 at its own 13-yard line, Hicks forced Smelley to rush his pass attempt, which was intercepted and returned for a touchdown by fellow LB Brandon Spikes.

On the Gamecocks' next possession, Hicks tipped a Smelley pass attempt, which was intercepted by S Ahmad Black.

"He's making that natural progression," UF coach Urban Meyer said. "You almost wish it would happen faster but he played great. He's a terrific young person."

Quick Starts

One of the keys to Florida's current six-game winning streak is the early holes they have buried their opponents in.

Florida's 21 first-quarter points brought its first-quarter scoring margin in its past six games to 101-0.

"We come out so hard that sometimes they're not even ready for it," CB Joe Haden said. "And we keep going hard and keep playing with passion. We don't ever give up.

"We feel like we can beat any team we play if the defense does what they do and the offense does what they do. We can beat any team."

Record Breaking

Return man Brandon James' 39-yard punt return in the third quarter set the Florida single-season punt return yardage record. James has 427 punt return yards this season.

The previous record was 392 by Jacquez Green.

Florida is the first SEC team in league history to win six straight games by 28 points or more.

Injuries

OL Carl Johnson sprained his MCL in the second half of the game. Johnson originally sprained his MCL last week against Vanderbilt. ... OL Jason Watkins was removed from the game with a concussion and Spikes sprained his ankle. None of the injuries are considered serious.

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