COLUMBIA, S.C. - It looks like Georgia gave Brandon Spikes just the push he needed.
The Bulldogs embarrassed Spikes with a 42-point, 413-yard whooping in Jacksonville on Oct. 27.
Since, the sophomore has played possessed in two Gators wins.
BI just let the defense know we can never perform like that again, that?s not Florida defense,C Spikes said. BWe just wanted to come out, get things done and play like Florida?s supposed to play.C
Saturday?s score 51-31 score makes it look like two offensive juggernauts took part in a shootout, but that assessment would be an undue slap in the face to Spikes and his young crew.
Spikes, UF's quarterback of the defense at middle linebacker, again sparked a unit with nine first-year starters and again put up eye-popping statistics.
He had nine tackles through three quarters, a few pass break ups and his first of two fumble recoveries on the game?s first snap to open a big-play frenzy.
The Gators got a punt block, a Tony Joiner interception and another Spikes recovered fumble thanks to a big hit by Major Wright before leaving Williams-Brice Stadium.
The Spikes-led defense forced three turnovers for a second consecutive game after scrounging just four takeaways in a span of five games before that.
It?s clear the sting from the Georgia loss is gone after Saturday?s performance.
From the get-go, the defense cushioned the blow felt by the offense of losing Percy Harvin for the game with a sinus infection.
Spikes recovered a fumbled snap on South Carolina?s first play and handed the ball to Tim Tebow at South Carolina?s 21-yard line.
Five plays later, UF led 7-0.
The Gamecocks went three-and-out on their next drive, but UF again got the ball to Tebow within striking distance, this time on a blocked punt.
Special teams player John Curtis knocked down Ryan Succop?s rugby-style attempt at the South Carolina 22.
It only took Tebow two plays to punch in his second score, a 22-yard pass to Jarred Fayson.
BI thought our defense did a great job starting the way they did,C UF coach Urban Meyer said.
Though South Carolina would take a short-lived lead with two scores later in the first quarter, it failed to even reach UF territory in the second frame.
The Gators went into the half up 27-14, and Steve Spurrier went into the break with a sputtering offense that spent the rest of the night in desperation mode.
