Gainesville, FL -- (Sports Network) - Florida head coach Urban Meyer has suspended star linebacker Brandon Spikes for the first half of this week's game against Vanderbilt.

Spikes was caught trying to gouge the eye of Georgia running back Washaun Early during last Saturday's 41-17 victory over the Bulldogs.

"There's no place on the field for that," Meyer said. "We're going to suspend him for the first half of the Vanderbilt game. That's not him, but we love Brandon Spikes and we're going to support him."

Spikes is the fourth-leading tackler for the top-ranked Gators with 42 stops. He also has three sacks and an interception.