By MARK LONG
AP Sports Writer

GAINESVILLE, Fla.(AP) -- With all the negative attention "weighing
heavy on his heart," Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes asked to
serve a full-game suspension for apparently trying to gouge the
eyes of a Georgia running back.

Coach Urban Meyer obliged, saying Wednesday that it was in the
top-ranked Gators' best interest that Spikes sit out Saturday's
game against Vanderbilt.

"I really don't want to be a distraction to the team," Spikes
said after practice. "I want the guys to prepare without any
negative things going on, and I feel like if I would play, it
would be a big thing going on. I'm just trying to stay out of
the way and just motivate the guys."

Meyer had faced some criticism for only suspending his star
defender for the first half of the Vandy game. The Southeastern
Conference accepted the original punishment.

Spikes stuck his hand into the facemask of Georgia's Washaun
Ealey during Florida 41-17 victory against the Bulldogs. There
was no penalty called at the time, but after talk about the play
spread, Meyer reviewed it and decided to punish Spikes.

Meyer, Spikes and defensive coordinator Charlie Strong agreed to
increase the punishment.

"A lot of the negative things out there really weighing heavy on
his heart right now and so we thought that, as a group, we
decided the best interest just for the team to not play him
Saturday," Meyer said. "It was a group decision and we're doing
it out of respect to our team so we can focus on trying to win
our ninth game.

"We think it's the right thing to do. We support Brandon fully
and we look forward to get back and finish the season the right
way."

Spikes is fourth on the team with 42 tackles and has three
sacks.

He considered entering the NFL draft in January, but decided to
return for his senior season in hopes of helping Florida win a
third national title in four years.

But he's battled injuries all season. He missed time early in
the season because of an Achilles' tendon injury, and sat out
most of two games because of a strained groin. He played only a
series against Arkansas on Oct. 17 and sat out the entire game
the following week.

He returned against Georgia and finished with a team-high 10
tackles. He also intercepted a pass and returned it 5 yards for
a touchdown in the fourth quarter.

What he did to Ealey, though, overshadowed one of his best games
of the season. Meyer said Spikes was retaliating for things that
happened earlier in the game.

Ealey defended Spikes on Tuesday, saying he didn't believe he
should have been suspended. Ealey also said he was surprised the
play drew so much attention.

Fifth-year senior Ryan Stamper is expected to replace Spikes in
the starting lineup.

"I'm pretty sure that Stamper got my back, and my teammates
really support this decision" Spikes said.