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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 7:17 a.m., Sunday, August 31, 2008

CFB: Gators expect to get 3 starters back for Miami

Associated Press

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Florida's coach Urban Meyer shouts instructions to his team in the second half as they play Hawaii in a football game in Gainesville, Fla., on Saturday.

PHIL SANDLIN | Associated Press

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. — No. 5 Florida expects to have receiver Percy Harvin, linebacker Brandon Spikes and guard Jim Tartt back for next Saturday's game against rival Miami.

All three starters sat out Saturday against Hawaii, a 56-10 victory that gave the Gators a 19th consecutive season-opening win.

Harvin, who had a combined 1,622 yards rushing and receiving last season and scored 10 touchdowns, is still recovering from heel surgery in April. He practiced sparingly last week and hasn't been able to go full speed since early August.

Coach Urban Meyer said Sunday that the speedy junior probably will play against the Hurricanes. Meyer said the same about Spikes, the team's defensive leader who injured his right foot last week and was wearing a walking boot Saturday.

Meyer called Tartt questionable for the game, but added, "I think he'll play."

Tartt, who started 26 games the last two years, was limited in preseason camp because of a nagging shoulder injury. He had two operations on the shoulder and has struggled to get back to 100 percent.

Linebacker Ryan Stamper, who started in place of Spikes in the opener, broke his thumb early in the game but continued to play. He had surgery Sunday to insert two pins into the joint.

Stamper will have to wear a cast for four weeks, Meyer said, but should be able to play through the injury.

"It's a functional cast from what I've been told," Meyer said. "Our medical staff was great enough to come in on a Sunday and get it done, so his probability of playing has increased for Saturday."

Tight end Aaron Hernandez, who is being counted on to replace injured starter Cornelius Ingram, also is expected to return next week after what appeared to be a one-game suspension. Hernandez was suited up for the opener, but never left the sideline.

"I never announce anything (regarding suspensions)," Meyer said. "If he's ready to play, he'll play."