MIAMI — Percy Harvin says his sprained ankle is “90 percent” healed — the result of spending nearly 100 percent of his time in the training room over the holidays.
The Gators’ speedy playmaker stayed in Gainesville, Fla., every day but Christmas and New Year’s Day during the Gators’ winter break. He estimated he was in the training room 15 hours each day with trainer Kyle Johnston — which would put him in there from about the time he wakes up until he goes to bed.
“Our team made jokes about it. They said me and one of the trainers, we’re dating each other because of the time we spent with each other,” Harvin said Monday.
All that work, though, got Harvin to the point that he’s feeling about 90 percent, and that’s plenty good enough for him to play against No. 2 Oklahoma (2-1) on Thursday night in the BCS national championship game. Harvin said he was able to make cuts in practice and that No. 1 Florida even implemented some top-secret special plays for him in practice Sunday aimed at exploiting matchups.
“The problem I have now is slowing down, so I just won’t slow down. I’ll just keep running,” Harvin said. “Cutting is not the problem. Just slowing down sometimes, it kind of locks up a little bit.”
Harvin missed the SEC championship game after severely spraining his right ankle against Florida State on Nov. 29, and said it felt like a funeral to him because he wasn’t able to play — even though the Gators (12-1) won.
Harvin ranked second on the team with 1,133 all-purpose yards, with more than 500 yards rushing and receiving, and a team-high seven touchdown catches.
“He’s a playmaker. He’s one of those guys that can take over a game,” Oklahoma linebacker Travis Lewis said. “With his speed, with his quickness and he plays multiple positions at wide receiver and running back, he can hurt you in so many ways. They’re going to be a much better team with him.”
Harvin said about his only question remaining is how he’ll fare against contact, since he hasn’t been hit in practice. He figures the adrenaline of the championship game should make him feel like he’s 100 percent.
“He’s done above and beyond what we’ve asked,” Florida coach Urban Meyer said. “I can only go by what he tells me and what our trainers tell me, and he’ll be ready to play in this game.”
NO SOUTH BEACH: Florida coach Urban Meyer eliminated any chance of trouble on South Beach this week, deeming the famed nightspot off limits to his players.
The top-ranked Gators welcomed the restriction.
“We have the rest of our lives to go to South Beach,” tight end Tate Casey said. “We don’t need anyone getting in trouble down there. We really want to make this as much of a business trip as possible, and I’m not sure being down on South Beach would allow that.
“We want to stay focused. It’s the national championship game. This is no time to be fooling around. Coach knows that and we understand that.”
So what did the Gators get instead of a chance to hit trendy bars and clubs, ogle topless sunbathers on the beach and maybe hobnob with models, professional athletes and celebrities?
“They gave us a shuttle bus to the mall (Sunday),” offensive tackle Phil Trautwein said.
BOX UPDATE: Middle linebacker Austin Box has returned to practice after spraining his left knee in Oklahoma’s regular-season finale and is trying to get ready for Thursday night’s game.
“I feel good. I’m working my way back into playing shape,” Box said.
Box, who became the Sooners’ starter after Ryan Reynolds tore a ligament in his right knee, missed the Big 12 championship game last month while recuperating and was replaced by former third-stringer Mike Balogun.
“Both those guys are equally smart. They both have that drive that they want to play that position,” said linebacker Travis Lewis, the Sooners’ leading tackler. “They both have it that, `This position is mine.’ It’s great to have two guys that stay hungry like that.”
GUEST REPORTERS: Media day typically offers players an opportunity to pose as reporters. On Monday, Oklahoma receiver Quentin Chaney got his turn.
Chaney grabbed a microphone and spent half an hour interviewing coaches and teammates. He asked offensive linemen Jon Cooper how much he loved the Sooners, then grilled him about what he has been at night.
“I’ve been in bed,” Cooper said. “But I’ve heard stories about your late-night strolls on the beach.”
Chaney abruptly ended that interview. He moved on to coach Bob Stoops, asking him why he was sweating through his long-sleeved shirt even after he took off his suit jacket.
“It’s ‘cause these guys are grilling me,” Stoops said. “I should have made you guys wear one.”
Chaney’s best line, though, was to Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford. He asked Bradford how he would fare as the fourth member of the Jonas Brothers.
“Well, if you see my hair, I think that’s one thing,” said Bradford, whose curly locks would fit right in alongside Kevin, Joe and Nick. “But I can’t sing, so I really don’t think I could fit in with them.”
Chaney then asked Bradford to sign a few turns.
“Only if you’ll start dancing for everyone,” Bradford said.
CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? Dan Mullen carries a cell phone in each pocket, one for each job.
The Florida quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator has already started working on his new gig as Mississippi State head coach.
He’s already started recruiting for the Bulldogs, and he’ll call plays for the Gators in the BCS national championship game against Oklahoma on Thursday night.
On Friday, he’ll have his first team meeting in Starkville, Miss.
“It just takes a lot of organizational skills right now,” said Mullen, who at 36 will be the fourth youngest coach in major college football.
“When I’ve been involved doing my stuff there, you have to be 100 percent focused on that job. When I come back and I start working on the game plan and practice and film, you have to be 100 percent focused on this job.”
It doesn’t allow for much time for luxuries such as sleep.
“It’s pretty tough,” he said at media day in Dolphins Stadium on Friday. “A lot of the adrenaline keeps you going.”
COMEBACK: Oklahoma center Jon Cooper was told by doctors he might not ever play football again when he dislocated and broke his right ankle in 2005 against Texas Tech.
“They were very positive with me, but they were blunt,” he said.
Cooper went through what he called a “brutal” rehab and three surgeries to fix the injury.
“Everyone was really helpful. All my teammates, my parents my family, everybody was supportive of me. That’s why I was successful,” he said.
“If it didn’t workout, I probably would have gotten into a student coaching,” he said.
Despite it all, he was back playing in 2006 has started all but one game for the Sooners since, anchoring a line that has been one of the best in the country.
The Sooners have allowed only 11 sacks this season.
As for the pain of what was a gruesome injury, he said it was indescribable.
“After something like that happens, you can’t even remember what it felt like,” he said.
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