Healthy again, Harvin gives Gators extra teeth

MIAMI — Florida receiver Percy Harvin embraced coach Urban Meyer near midfield, got a kiss on the cheek and two congratulatory words.

"Unbelievable performance," Meyer said.

Enough said.

Harvin, who missed the Southeastern Conference championship game because of an ankle injury, had 171 total yards and a touchdown in his return to help top-ranked Florida beat No. 2 Oklahoma 24-14 in the national championship game Thursday night. He ran nine times for 122 yards and a touchdown, caught five passes for 49 yards and proved once again to be the fastest — maybe even the most talented — played on the field.

"The brighter the lights, the bigger he plays," Meyer said. "He's a big-time game performer."

Harvin had runs of 45 and 52 yards, getting the Gators out of a huge hole with the first one and then setting up the go-ahead field goal in the fourth quarter with the second.

"There's no feeling like being a champion," Harvin said. "I love it. There's nothing like it."

Harvin lined up at running back, quarterback and receiver against the Sooners. He darted through holes, broke tackles, outran defenders and burned cornerbacks.

And he wasn't 100 percent.

Meyer said Percy was still slightly hobbled by his ankle injury. The junior severely sprained his right ankle against Florida State on Nov. 2. He worked the next week in hopes of playing against Alabama, but he wasn't able to go — and said sitting on the sideline felt like being at a "funeral."

There was little doubt he would be back on the field against Oklahoma. Harvin even stayed in Gainesville during a short break for Christmas to get treatment.

"I never doubted him," linebacker Brandon Spikes said. "He worked and worked and worked to get back on the field after the injury against FSU, and it all paid off. He gave us a big lift. Percy is a dynamic player, and he is the ultimate weapon for an offense."

Harvin gave the Gators a big boost in the second quarter when he slipped through a hole at the Florida 3-yard line and went 45 yards before getting tackled. Instead of facing poor field position and the possibility of a punt from their own end zone, the Gators were at midfield.