Top-ranked Florida will be without star linebacker Brandon Spikes for the first half of Saturday’s game against Vanderbilt.
Coach Urban Meyer suspended Spikes on Monday, two days after the defensive captain apparently attempted to gouge the eyes of Georgia running back Washaun Ealey in a 41-17 victory.
Meyer spoke to Spikes and determined he was retaliating after getting his helmet ripped off and eye poked earlier in the game. Meyer also talked to Southeastern Conference commissioner Mike Slive, but Florida officials said it was Meyer’s decision to suspend Spikes.
The SEC issued a statement saying it reviewed and accepted the discipline handed down by Florida.
Former UK coach sentenced for DUI
Former Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie pleaded guilty Monday in Anderson County, between Louisville and Lexington, to driving under the influence of alcohol. He received the maximum penalty for a first-time offense – he was fined a little more than $1,000, his license was suspended for 30 days and he was ordered to complete an education program. Gillispie was fired this year after a rocky two-year tenure with the Wildcats.
College notes
University of Minnesota junior forward Trevor Mbakwe will not be allowed to play until his pending court case on a felony battery charge is cleared up. … A special prosecutor will review a rape claim against three University of Arkansas basketball players after local authorities declined to file charges.
NBA notes
Bucks guard Michael Redd is out for at least two weeks after straining a tendon in his left knee during Milwaukee’s home opener. … Rajon Rondo has agreed to a five-year contract extension with Boston. … Mavericks assistant coach Popeye Jones is free on bond after being arrested on a drunken-driving charge in suburban Dallas over the weekend. … Richard Hamilton will miss a third straight game with a sprained right ankle today when Detroit hosts Orlando. … Minnesota has exercised contract options for next season on Corey Brewer and Kevin Love. … Hall of Famer Bill Walton won’t return as an analyst for ESPN. … A specialist confirmed that New Jersey guard Devin Harris has a strained right groin. … New York coach Mike D’Antoni says guard Nate Robinson could miss two weeks because of a sprained right ankle.
Irish-Pitt kickoff slated for 8 p.m.
Notre Dame will play Pittsburgh at 8 p.m. Nov. 14, the school announced. The game between the No. 19 Irish (6-2) and No. 14 Panthers (7-1) will be televised on ABC, which will also show the Texas Tech-Oklahoma State game to parts of the country.
College notes
Tony Pike is expected to practice this week with fourth-ranked Cincinnati. Coach Brian Kelly wants to see what the injured quarterback what can do before deciding his status. … Syracuse wide receiver Mike Williams has quit the team. Williams was suspended for Syracuse’s game against Akron nine days ago for violating team policy.
Doping suspension for journeyman
Doug Barron, a journeyman who lost his tour card three years ago, became the first player to be suspended by the PGA Tour for testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance. Barron, 40, was immediately suspended for one year, the PGA Tour said. Under its doping policy, the tour does not disclose the substance a player used.
Four inducted into hall of fame
Lanny Wadkins, Jose Maria Olazabal and Christy O’Connor Sr. were inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame on Monday night. Joining them posthumously was President Dwight Eisenhower, whose love of golf has been credited for a surge in interest in the game while he was in office.
NHL roundup
Mike Richards and Jeff Carter scored two goals apiece and rookie David Laliberte and Scott Hartnell also tallied, leading the host Philadelphia Flyers to a 6-2 win over Tampa Bay. The Flyers’ excitement was offset by the news that star winger Simon Gagne will miss six to eight weeks. … Brendan Witt posted his first two-goal game, veteran forward Doug Weight added two assists and the New York Islanders stretched their winning streak to a season-high four games with a 3-1 victory over Edmonton in Uniondale, N.Y. … Drew Doughty scored the go-ahead goal with 4:51 remaining and Los Angeles rallied to beat host Phoenix 5-3.
Coyotes’ sale to NHL OK’d
A federal bankruptcy judge has given his approval to the sale of the Phoenix Coyotes to the NHL. The NHL’s will pay about $140 million to buy the team from owner Jerry Moyes.
