Tebow, Gators throttle Vols to take control of SEC Eastern Division
Bart Pohlman
Issue date: 9/19/07 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 2 next >
The record-setting Florida Gators continued their torrid offensive pace Saturday, defeating rival Tennessee 59-20 at "the Swamp" in the conference opener for both teams.
The victory marked the first time in Florida school history that the Gators have opened a season by scoring 45 points or more in each of its first three games.
Gator quarterback Tim Tebow finished 14-of-19 passing for 299 yards and two touchdowns. Tebow also carried the ball eight times for 61 yards and two more scores.
Tebow's only miscue was a third-quarter interception that was returned 96 yards for a touchdown by Tennessee defensive back Eric Berry. The last time a Florida opponent returned an interception for a touchdown against the Gators was in last season's SEC Championship game, when Arkansas' Antwan Robinson intercepted a Chris Leak pass and took it in for the score.
Florida wide receiver Percy Harvin added four receptions for 120 yards and nine carries for 75 yards to lead the Gators in both receiving and rushing.
Florida coach Urban Meyer said he was quite impressed with the way Harvin played.
"Offensivly I think you witnessed one of the best players in college football in Percy Harvin," Meyer said. "He's healthy now. He practiced, had a full week of practice and he's a winner. A coach doesn't find one like that all the time."
The Gator defense managed to slow down the Tennessee offense, holding the Vols to 298 total offensive yards and only 37 rushing yards.
Florida's young defensive line played well and their defensive coaching staff had a great game plan, Meyer said.
"I still go back to our defense - they were able to hold them," Meyer said. "Erik Ainge is going to be an NFL football player, high round draft pick and they have some very talented receivers and Foster and those running backs are veteran guys. I just have great respect for their personality to play well. I think that is a result of our defense getting on the field on third downs and making some turnovers."
The victory marked the first time in Florida school history that the Gators have opened a season by scoring 45 points or more in each of its first three games.
Gator quarterback Tim Tebow finished 14-of-19 passing for 299 yards and two touchdowns. Tebow also carried the ball eight times for 61 yards and two more scores.
Tebow's only miscue was a third-quarter interception that was returned 96 yards for a touchdown by Tennessee defensive back Eric Berry. The last time a Florida opponent returned an interception for a touchdown against the Gators was in last season's SEC Championship game, when Arkansas' Antwan Robinson intercepted a Chris Leak pass and took it in for the score.
Florida wide receiver Percy Harvin added four receptions for 120 yards and nine carries for 75 yards to lead the Gators in both receiving and rushing.
Florida coach Urban Meyer said he was quite impressed with the way Harvin played.
"Offensivly I think you witnessed one of the best players in college football in Percy Harvin," Meyer said. "He's healthy now. He practiced, had a full week of practice and he's a winner. A coach doesn't find one like that all the time."
The Gator defense managed to slow down the Tennessee offense, holding the Vols to 298 total offensive yards and only 37 rushing yards.
Florida's young defensive line played well and their defensive coaching staff had a great game plan, Meyer said.
"I still go back to our defense - they were able to hold them," Meyer said. "Erik Ainge is going to be an NFL football player, high round draft pick and they have some very talented receivers and Foster and those running backs are veteran guys. I just have great respect for their personality to play well. I think that is a result of our defense getting on the field on third downs and making some turnovers."
Be the first to comment on this story