Archive for November, 2009

Winning streak at 21 as Gators destroy FIU

Monday, November 23rd, 2009

After a long SEC run, the Gators faced an over-matched FIU team in The Swamp. 35 first half points later, the Gators were able to rest their starters and start looking ahead to next week’s showdown with long time rival Florida State.
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Florida scored touchdowns on 8 of 11 possessions and Tim Tebow had a big day running and throwing. Tebow completed 17 of 25 passes for 215 yards and two touchdowns and had 7 carries for 102 yards and one touchdown.

The game was never in question and Brandon Spikes made sure the rout started early. Spikes intercepted FIU Quarterback Paul McCall and took it 41 yards to the house to put the Gators up 7-0.

On the first offensive possession, Tebow struck with a 55-yard touchdown run, the longest of his illustrious career.

From here the Gators scored at will and the Gator defense continued to play lights out, only allowing a field goal.

The Gators will play Florida State this weekend in Tebow’s home finale.

Notes

Tim Tebow passed Kevin Faulk as the SEC’s all-time touchdown leader.

Backup QB John Brantley continues to be impressive in relief. He completed 9 of 13 passes for 146 yards and three touchdowns. Outside of the Gator Nation, Brantley continues to be a mystery. The future is bright and the Gators will be in great shape with Brantley at the helm next year.

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Article originally posted at isportsweb.com.

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FIU @ Florida

Friday, November 20th, 2009

After last week’s hard fought win against South Carolina, the Gators return to The Swamp to take on a Florida International team that lost 40-14 to Alabama earlier in the year.

With a perfect SEC regular season record secure, the Gators host FIU and rival Florida State before the SEC Championship showdown with Alabama.

At 3-7, FIU continues to be a program trying to improve. Since becoming a program in 2002, FIU has never had a winning season and will again be below .500 this season.

On paper this is nothing more than a scrimmage and the Gators will probably treat it as such. Expect the starters to be on the sideline shortly after halftime with a big lead.

Prediction

45-3 Gators

Notes

Tim Tebow needs one more touchdown to become the SEC’s all-time leader after tying the record at 53 last week.

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Article originally posted at isportsweb.com.

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Gator defense shines again in victory over South Carolina

Tuesday, November 17th, 2009

Early in the fourth quarter, with South Carolina at the Gator 22 trailing 17-14, the Gator defense made another game changing and possibly game saving play. South Carolina Quarterback Stephen Garcia dropped back and fired a quick slant out to the left. The ball was tipped at the line and was intercepted by defensive end Justin Trattou. Trattou raced 53 yards, deep into South Carolina territory. Four plays later, Tim Tebow punched in from 1-yard out, and the Gators now had a 24-14 lead.

From here, the Gators got after Garcia, sacking him four times in the fourth quarter and intercepting him with a few minutes left in the game.

A game that appeared to be in question in the fourth quarter turned into another victory due to the Gator defense.

On the Gators first possession, Tim Tebow found Riley Cooper on a slant that Cooper took 68 yards to the house. South Carolina would answer with an impressive 14 play drive, capped by Brian Maddox’s 1-yard touchdown run.

The Gators regained the lead on their next possession, as Caleb Sturgis was good from 32 yards. After a South Carolina punt, the Gator offense drove deep into South Carolina territory, scoring on a 17-yard run by Emmanuel Moody.

After a a 9-yard touchdown pass to Weslye Saunders right before the half made the score 17-14, the Gator offense bogged down and South Carolina had significant momentum. However, as they have multiple times this season, the Gator defense was stout in the second half, allowing zero points.

Notes

The Gators have clinched a perfect SEC regular season record at 8-0. This is the first time they have accomplished this since 1996, when Steve Spurrier lead the Gators to their first National Championship.

With his 1-yard run in the 4th quarter, Tim Tebow tied Kevin Faulk’s SEC career touchdown record at 53.

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Article originally posted at isportsweb.com.

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Florida @ South Carolina

Saturday, November 14th, 2009

After appearing to get the offense in rhythm against Georgia, the Gators produced another lackluster performance against Vanderbilt last week. Despite the 27-3 home victory, the Gators travel to face the Ol’ Ball Coach with continued questions on offense.

Overshadowed by the offensive struggles is the continued dominance of the Gator defense. The Gators held Vanderbilt to 199 yards without linebacker Brandon Spikes. Spikes will be back this week and the defense should continue to play well against a South Carolina offense that is averaging 12.3 points over its last four games.

If the Gator offense is able to play well, this could turn into a rout similar to last year’s 56-6 drubbing. The South Carolina defense is respectable but the offense does not have the firepower to get into a shootout with the Gators.

In regard to national title implications, Alabama and Florida have clinched their respective divisions, and the Dec. 5th showdown is now a reality. With Florida State Quarterback Christian Ponder now out for the season, South Carolina should be the last test before the Gators face Alabama in Atlanta.

Prediction

The Gators simply have too much on both sides of the ball for South Carolina to pull the upset. This game will be close early, as South Carolina usually plays the Gators tough, but it will get out of hand late.

31-7 Gators

Notes

Due to the recent offensive struggles, Steve Spurrier will increase his play calling role for the rest of the season.

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Article originally posted at isportsweb.com.

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Vanderbilt @ Florida

Friday, November 6th, 2009

The Gators are riding high after last week’s destruction of rival Georgia, but will be taking on Vanderbilt without their defensive leader Brandon Spikes. Spikes will serve a one-game suspension for trying to gouge the eyes of Georgia running back Washaun Ealey during last week’s game.

Even without Spikes, the Gators shouldn’t have any trouble beating Vanderbilt for the 19th consecutive time. Vanderbilt (2-7) will be trying to avoid its sixth consecutive loss. Mackenzi Adams will start at quarterback for the Commodores after starter Larry Smith partially tore his hamstring in last week’s loss to Georgia Tech.

Florida quarterback Tim Tebow came to life last week, accounting for four touchdown’s in the win over Georgia. The Gators came out throwing early while attacking the edge with the run game. Look for much of the same this week, with Demps, Moody, and Rainey getting a handful of carries each.

Tebow has put up big numbers against Vanderbilt the past two seasons and will look to continue his push for a second Heisman Trophy on Saturday. Tebow’s numbers are nowhere near what they were when he won the Heisman in 2007, but he is certainly in the top 3 at this point in time.

Prediction

Tebow will have success throwing early and the running game will pound a defense that gave up 404 yards rushing to Georgia Tech last week.

42-7 Gators

Notes

Urban Meyer was fined $30,000 after criticizing officials for missing a late hit on Tebow during last week’s game.

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Article originally posted at isportsweb.com.

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Tebow comes to life, leads Gators to 41-17 rout of Georgia

Monday, November 2nd, 2009

The Florida Gators came into Saturday’s rivalry game against Georgia with a lot to prove, and as expected, pounded the Bulldogs to the tune of 41-17. This was the 17th win in the last 20 meetings for the Gators and the 18th straight Gator win overall.

Tim Tebow broke Herschel Walker’s SEC record for rushing touchdowns late in the first half on a 23-yard scamper up the middle. The Gators lead 24-10 at the half and never looked back after intercepting Joe Cox on the first possession of the second half.
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As expected, the Gator offense came out throwing early and often. Riley Cooper caught two touchdown passes from Tebow, including a beautiful one-handed catch on the back pylon to open a 14-0 lead early in the first quarter.

The Georgia offense responded with a 49-yard field goal by Blair Walsh and a 26-yard touchdown pass from Joe Cox to Aron White to narrow the lead to 14-10. The Bulldogs would not get closer. Tebow’s 23-yard touchdown run came after Caleb Sturgis hit a 56-yard field goal.

After intercepting Cox to start the second half, the Gators drove into the red zone, and Tebow scored on a 5-yard keeper. The final Gator score came on a Brandon Spikes interception of Logan Gray which he returned five yards for a touchdown.

Tebow finished the game with 85 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 18 carries. He also completed 15 of 21 passes for 164 yards and two touchdowns.

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Article originally posted at isportsweb.com.

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