JACKSONVILLE - As kickoff neared in Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, Gators cornerback Wondy Pierre-Louis bobbed on the sideline to the beat of the music blaring from the stadium?s speakers.
Pierre-Louis was a little too pumped for UF?s 42-30 loss to Georgia on Saturday night.
The sophomore was responsible for two of the Gators' seven penalties and was beat on Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford's fourth-quarter 53-yard touchdown pass to Mikey Henderson.
While much of the focus was on Georgia?s first-quarter, post-touchdown celebration, UF ended up responding quickly.
Early in the second quarter, Pierre-Louis intercepted Stafford?s pass and ran it 25 yards for a touchdown. On the end of the run, he extended his arm with the ball in hand before somersaulting midair to land stylishly in the end zone.
Pierre-Louis was cited for unsportsmanlike conduct, resulting in a 15-yard penalty.
It was the first interception of his career, and his second touchdown, but the sophomore?s showboating cost him with Coach Urban Meyer.
BVery disappointed that happened,C Meyer said. BShocked.C
Unfortunately for the cornerback, the problems kept coming.
Early in the fourth quarter, Pierre-Louis was flagged for a personal foul, another 15 yards, after he jostled with a Bulldogs player.
Senior safety Tony Joiner insisted that the sophomore didn?t have any unusual issues against the Bulldogs.
BHe just played like a corner would play,C Joiner said. BHe was aggressive on a couple of plays, and he made kind of a bonehead play by jumping in the end zone, but that?s a young guy for you. He came out with enthusiasm and he played. Corners get beat all the time, so he just got beat.C
Like Pierre-Louis, the whole defense struggle against the Bulldogs, allowing 10 of 13 third-down conversions.
The Gators also allowed Georgia?s Knowshon Moreno to rush for 188 of the Bulldogs? 196 yards.
Sophomore linebacker Brandon Spikes admitted the defense had a bad game and said if the team expects to rebound, UF?s young players need to start contributing.
BThere?s always room for improvement, just preparation,C Spikes said. BWe need young guys to step up and make plays.C
