Spring Break
Gators demolish Bulldogs, 'Bama remains unbeaten
Jimmy Carter
Issue date: 11/5/08 Section: Sports
Since losing to Ole Miss Sept. 27, No. 8 Florida had outscored its opponents 152-33 in three Gator victories. No. 6 Georgia was expected to be a much stiffer test.
That was hardly the case as the Gators (7-1, 5-1 Southeastern Conference) posted another convincing victory, a 49-10 shellacking of the outmatched Bulldogs (7-2, 4-2).
The loss was Georgia's second major flop of the year, along with their 41-30 loss to Alabama in which they trailed 31-0 at halftime.
"Florida did a good job today, no doubt," Bulldogs coach Mark Richt said. "We had some red-zone opportunities early on, and we didn't score touchdowns and we missed field goals, so that wasn't good. We moved the ball pretty darn well and ended up with turnovers, and you can't have that and expect to win a ballgame."
Reigning Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow turned in a stellar performance, completing 10-of-13 passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns, while also running for 39 yards and three more scores.
"It was a great win for us," Tebow said. "We knew we needed this one and we were focused all week. The defense made plays and the offense finished drives."
The game was still within reach at halftime as Florida led 14-3, but the Gators buried Georgia in the third quarter, aided by three Bulldogs turnovers in the period.
Tebow made it 21-3 when he scored from a yard out midway through the third quarter. The score was set up by Florida cornerback Joe Haden's interception and 88-yard return.
Tebow then found receiver Louis Murphy behind the defense for a 44-yard touchdown with 5:33 remaining in the period.
Following a Stafford fumble, Tebow increased the Gators lead to 35-3 with his 8-yard touchdown run.
The Gators would extend the lead to 49-3 before Georgia backup quarterback Joe Cox hit tight end Aron White for a 19-yard score.
The victory provided revenge for the Gators, who lost 42-30 to the Bulldogs a year ago in a game marked by Georgia's entire team celebrating their first touchdown in the end zone.
That was hardly the case as the Gators (7-1, 5-1 Southeastern Conference) posted another convincing victory, a 49-10 shellacking of the outmatched Bulldogs (7-2, 4-2).
The loss was Georgia's second major flop of the year, along with their 41-30 loss to Alabama in which they trailed 31-0 at halftime.
"Florida did a good job today, no doubt," Bulldogs coach Mark Richt said. "We had some red-zone opportunities early on, and we didn't score touchdowns and we missed field goals, so that wasn't good. We moved the ball pretty darn well and ended up with turnovers, and you can't have that and expect to win a ballgame."
Reigning Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow turned in a stellar performance, completing 10-of-13 passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns, while also running for 39 yards and three more scores.
"It was a great win for us," Tebow said. "We knew we needed this one and we were focused all week. The defense made plays and the offense finished drives."
The game was still within reach at halftime as Florida led 14-3, but the Gators buried Georgia in the third quarter, aided by three Bulldogs turnovers in the period.
Tebow made it 21-3 when he scored from a yard out midway through the third quarter. The score was set up by Florida cornerback Joe Haden's interception and 88-yard return.
Tebow then found receiver Louis Murphy behind the defense for a 44-yard touchdown with 5:33 remaining in the period.
Following a Stafford fumble, Tebow increased the Gators lead to 35-3 with his 8-yard touchdown run.
The Gators would extend the lead to 49-3 before Georgia backup quarterback Joe Cox hit tight end Aron White for a 19-yard score.
The victory provided revenge for the Gators, who lost 42-30 to the Bulldogs a year ago in a game marked by Georgia's entire team celebrating their first touchdown in the end zone.
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