Harvin misses part of practice with hip pointer

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From Gatorsports

Notebook: Harvin misses part of practice with hip pointer

By KEVIN BROCKWAY

Sun sports writer

12:00 am, September 26, 2007

The banged-up Florida receiving corps took another blow when sophomore receiver Percy Harvin missed part of Tuesday's practice with a hip pointer.

Continue to 2nd paragraph Florida coach Urban Meyer said he expects Harvin to recover in time for Saturday's game against Auburn. Harvin first hurt the hip last Saturday at Ole Miss.

"We think we're going to get him back (today)," Meyer said. "Takes about two or three days, but he'll be a go on Saturday, for sure. He's got it where he got hit in the hip in the game. He was out here for three-fourths of (practice) and then they took him in for treatment."

Harvin, who has been relied on more heavily since senior Andre Caldwell went down with a sprained knee two weeks ago, leads Florida receivers in yards (336) and is tied with Riley Cooper for the lead in touchdowns (three).

Harvin is coming off an 11-catch, 121-yard game against the Rebels.

"It's a concern because he's missing practice," Meyer said. "He plays better when he practices. He's killing himself trying to get back. They had him running, he wasn't even supposed to run today but he was fighting through it.

"I've coached guys with hip pointers before. He'll be fine. I just worry about missing practice."

Meyer said Tuesday that Caldwell likely won't play against Auburn. Sophomore cornerback Markihe Anderson (knee sprain) also will be out.

Freshman starting guard Maurkice Pouncey (ankle) is expected back and kicker Joey Ijjas (quad muscle) should be OK for Saturday.

"I could have kicked him (Tuesday), but we're going to wait til Thursday," Meyer said.

Yellow flags

Florida was the most penalized team in the Southeastern Conference last season, and still won a national championship.

The flags haven't stopped flying this season. Florida currently ranks third in the nation in penalty yardage, averaging 87.0 yards per game. The Gators were flagged 14 times for 127 yards in their 30-24 win last Saturday against Ole Miss.

Meyer said penalties remain a concern.

"We've just addressed it over and over again," Meyer said. "We're not an ignorant team ... special teams, we're not holding, we're just running numbers. That's fixable. Cadence issues when you play on the road, (it's) disappointing, but you're always going to have about two when you go on the road in loud environments. So you just try to address it."

Etc.

Though Meyer would like to see Florida's pass rush improve, he's been pleased with his team's ability to stop the run. Florida is allowing just 54.5 rushing yards per game, "Our whole defense is built against stopping the run," Meyer said. "There's a belief in our defensive staff and our coaching staff that you stop the run and you run the ball to win." ... Meyer said defensive coaches have been challenging players this week in practice. "We had one defensive player grade a champion and we won the game," he said. "That's not good defense. Our coaches are coaching almost as if we lost, which is good around here. That's coaching really hard."

Contact Kevin Brockway at 352-374-5054 or brockwk@gvillesun.com.