for gouging eyes

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.

"I don`t condone that," Meyer said. "I understand what goes on on the football (field), but there`s no place for that. We`re going to suspend Brandon for the first half of the Vanderbilt game. I spoke with him. That`s not who he is. That`s not who we are. He got caught up in emotion."

Spikes issued a statement apologizing for what he did.

"I accept responsibility for my actions and I accept the consequences of my actions," he said. "I would like to apologize to my team and the coaching staff and Washaun Ealey. Football is a very physical and emotional game, but there is no excuse for my actions."

Arnaud to play

Iowa State quarterback Austen Arnaud says he`ll be back in the lineup Saturday when the Cyclones face 18th-ranked Oklahoma State.

Arnaud has missed the last two games with a bruised throwing hand. But Arnaud says he`s able to grip the ball better now and get the velocity he needs on his passes.

Center Reggie Stephens also is expected back after missing the Texas A&M game following an appendectomy.

Coach Paul Rhoads says running back Alexander Robinson, who has been slowed by a groin injury, is the healthiest he`s been since September.

Mangino

defends Reesing

Kansas coach Mark Mangino believes the struggles of the Jayhawks offense go far beyond the play of quarterback Todd Reesing.

Reesing was pulled late in Kansas` 42-21 loss at Texas Tech on Saturday, but Mangino says he`ll start this week at Kansas State.

Mangino says Reesing wasn`t getting great protection and he didn`t want his quarterback take any more big hits. Mangino also says the entire offense was out of sync.

Mangino says the Jayhawks aren`t running the ball well or protecting the quarterback, and that the receivers are dropping too many balls -- all issues that have little to do with Reesing.

Auburn safety

released from hospital

Auburn strong safety Zac Etheridge was released from the hospital Monday, two days after suffering a neck injury against Mississippi.

Coach Gene Chizik said Monday that Auburn`s medical staff is confident he will make a complete recovery. Chizik did not release details of the nature of Etheridge`s injury and the junior is expected to miss the rest of the season.

Etheridge was hurt Saturday when he collided headfirst with teammate Antonio Coleman early in the game while they were trying to tackle Ole Miss running back Rodney Scott.

Notable

Missouri middle linebacker Luke Lambert will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery.

Nebraska coach Bo Pelini says freshman running back Dontrayevous Robinson is expected to be back at practice early in the week after leaving Saturday`s game with an undisclosed injury.

Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy says he has "complete confidence" in Zac Robinson`s abilities and believes the starting quarterback will bounce back after perhaps the worst game of his college career.

Washington coach Steve Sarkisian says quarterback Jake Locker is questionable for Saturday`s game at UCLA with a deep thigh bruise.

Tony Pike will practice with fourth-ranked Cincinnati this week, his status still uncertain because of an injury to his non-passing arm.

Utah coach Kyle Whittingham says he won`t say who will start at quarterback until game time Saturday when the 17th-ranked Utes host New Mexico.

Syracuse`s Mike Williams, the Big East`s leading receiver, quit the team. He had 49 catches for 746 yards and six touchdowns.