GAINESVILLE -- Vomit dripping from his chin strap, Florida receiver Riley Cooper stared an overmatched Charleston Southern cornerback in the eyes Saturday night and then sprinted straight for him.

Cooper faked to the inside ever so slightly before cutting off his route and biting hard for the sideline. The cornerback never had a chance.

Quarterback Tim Tebow hit Cooper in stride for a first down. It was Cooper's third reception in a row in Florida's new no-huddle offense.

Cooper motioned to the sidelines. He needed a replacement, but before he could make it off the field, Cooper became ill and vomited. He had the flu. His night was over -- or so he thought.

Florida defeated Charleston Southern 62-3 on Saturday and Cooper led the Gators with five receptions for 105 yards -- all of which came in the first half. Cooper entered this season with just 30 receptions over three seasons. Once used primarily for his ability as an excellent downfield blocker, Cooper, a senior, finally is one of Tebow's top targets.

``He is an elite receiver not just on our team but in college football,'' Tebow said. ``He's definitely an underrated player -- very athletic, very tough.''

OTHER ASPIRATIONS

A two-sport athlete, Cooper signed a minor-league contract with the Texas Rangers in August. He could have passed on his senior season of football, but Cooper couldn't turn down another opportunity at a national title. His college roommate is the team's starting quarterback.

And, quite frankly, Cooper just loves hitting people too much to give up football just yet. Take Saturday for example. He had the flu. He could have called it a night after spilling the contents of his stomach -- multiple times -- on the field. But then there were those three meaningless points the Buccaneers scored in the second quarter? Well, they weren't meaningless to Cooper. That field goal meant one more opportunity for him to see the field in the final season opener of his career. Cooper made the most of it.

DOWNFIELD BLOCKS

Cooper is the primary blocker on kickoffs this season for UF return specialist Brandon James. Following that field goal, Cooper and James lined up side-by-side for the only time Saturday with 5:37 left in the first half. A few seconds later, the teammates were celebrating on the opposite end of the field.

Cooper, a senior, made the initial block on the kick return, which sprung James for the first kickoff return of his career. But that first block wasn't enough for Cooper. He kept running and, like the lead motorcycle in a Presidential motorcade, Cooper eventually raced past James at the goal line. It was the first kick return of the season for the Gators and it went for a score. Not coincidentally, it was the first time James has had Cooper leading the way.

``I made fun of [James] and said, `He's faster than you,' '' receivers coach Billy Gonzales said. ``[Cooper] brings a certain attitude with him that's essential to this team.''

How many starting senior receivers around the country are clearing a path on kickoff returns? Not many. Cooper loves to block. He loves to hit people. He plays ill against Charleston Southern. He has great hair and bad feet and his workmanlike presence is exactly the type of attitude the Gators need to win another national championship, according to coaches.

``He might be one of the best [blockers] we've ever had,'' UF coach Urban Meyer said. ``Coach [Gonzales] takes great pride in that, and our receiving crew in '06 was probably one of the best examples. To win that 2006 national championship against Ohio State it came down to the edge blocking.''

Cooper has earned his place on the field as Tebow's go-to receiver. Now all Cooper needs to do is remain healthy. Florida's depth at receiver is a concern, and Cooper has had a career filled with injuries, including chronic pain in his feet caused by sesamoiditis, a condition common among ballet dancers that causes pain within the tendons of the big toe.

OTHER OPTIONS

Beyond Cooper, who had only 18 receptions last season, the Gators' most experienced receivers are David Nelson and Deonte Thompson. Nelson had one reception for 4 yards on Saturday and Thompson, who coaches are counting on to be a downfield threat, dropped a possible touchdown pass and finished the season opener without a reception.

``Our four starters are real solid,'' Cooper said. ``Deonte has made that play hundreds of times in practice, so we're really not worried about that. He'll be OK. We just need some younger guys to step up and give us some depth.''