ORLANDO - Gators wide receiver Percy Harvin was the only true bright spot in UF's 41-35 loss to Michigan on Tuesday afternoon.
Harvin ran 13 times for one touchdown and 165 yards, averaging 12.7 per rush, which set a new Capital One Bowl record.
His 66-yard rush in the second quarter was the longest of the season and was just one yard less than his career-best rush, which occurred against Arkansas on Dec. 2, 2006.
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 UF's loss.
BWe didn?t come out with the win, so I?m not satisfied,C Harvin said. BI?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.C
When offensive coordinator Dan Mullen was asked what Harvin could improve on for next season, Mullen smiled and said Bme getting him the ball more.C
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.
BIt doesn?t matter to me as long as I?m playing,C Pouncey said. BI just want to talk to the coaches and see what they say.C
Pouncey played sporadically throughout the first half of Tuesday?s game before hyper-extending his knee at the beginning of the second half.
He returned later and shined when he intercepted Michigan quarterback Chad Henne?s pass, which was tipped by Jermaine Cunningham, midway through the fourth quarter. The play set up UF's final touchdown.
BUTTERFINGERS: Michigan running back Mike Hart?s trusty hands let him down on Tuesday.
After 1,002 touches without dropping the ball, Hart fumbled twice against UF. Prior to the game, Hart had only fumbled once in his career.
UF freshman defensive end 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 free safety 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 Chad Henne?s pass intended for Adrian Arrington at the 1-yard line in the second quarter.
MEYER UPSET WITH REFEREES: UF was called for nine penalties totaling 49 yards, but one flag that wiped out a second-quarter touchdown does not sit well with Meyer.
UF was called for an illegal formation, having fewer than seven men on the line of scrimmage, on a play when Tim Tebow hit Percy Harvin for an apparent 4-yard touchdown pass.
The Gators didn?t score on the drive, as Joey Ijjas? 35-yard field-goal attempt was blocked.
BI?m going to evaluate the film, and the one time it was called earlier, the official made a mistake,C said Meyer, who called the formation unusual and unbalanced but still within the rules. BI?m not saying that is (true), but I?ll watch the film. If he did make a mistake, I?ll be extremely upset because that?s not the way it?s supposed to be.C
FINALLY, A FAKE PUNT: UF waited until the final game of the season to use freshman punter Chas Henry?s secondary skill - throwing.
Henry, a quarterback in high school, completed a fake punt pass to tight end Aaron Hernandez in the third quarter on a soft spiral.
Henry came to Florida as the nation?s No. 1 punter in the 2007 recruiting class, but he also threw for 1,700 yards 17 touchdowns as a high school senior.
NOTEWORTHY: UF has played in 17 straight bowl games, the third longest streak in the nation. … The potent offense posted 551 points this season, the second highest in school history after 1996?s total of 559. … UF was the only school in the country to pass and rush for a touchdown in each game this season.
