Colleges

Beyond believing

In what is supposed to be their first tough game, the Gators surprise even their coach.

By ANTONYA ENGLISH, Times Staff Writer
Published September 16, 2007

GAINESVILLE - Florida's showdown against archrival Tennessee was supposed to be its first test.

It would show if quarterback Tim Tebow is ready to be a starter in the SEC, if its freshman- and sophomore-laden defense could hold its own and if its offense is as good as advertised.

The Gators insisted all last week they would be ready, but even coach Urban Meyer didn't envision this.

Florida allowed just 37 rushing yards. Tebow had 299 passing yards to six receivers, and the special teams dominated as No. 5 Florida defeated No. 22 Tennessee 59-20 in front of 90,707 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

"I'm awful proud of them, but no, I didn't see this coming at all," said Meyer, the first Florida coach to open his career with three wins over the Vols 1-2, 0-1 SEC.

"It was a great win and a great night for Florida football."

And a great one for sophomore Percy Harvin, who was hampered for most of the preseason by tendinitis in his knee and ankle. Harvin had four receptions for 120 yards, including a 49-yarder, and led the Gators in rushing with nine carries for 75 yards and a touchdown.

"I think you witnessed one of the better players in college football in Percy Harvin," Meyer said.

Sophomore Riley Cooper and junior Cornelius Ingram caught touchdowns of 30 and 20 yards, respectively, for the Gators (3-0, 1-0). And eight players rushed for a combined 255 yards, including 67 by Tebow.

"We knew coming into this game we would have a lot of one-on-one coverage," Harvin said.

"And with Tim being able to scramble, they left us one on one with the corners, and we felt really good with our speed. This team has a lot of weapons."

Florida took a 7-0 lead when it forced a three-and-out and sophomore Brandon James returned a punt 83 yards.

The Gators led 28-13 at halftime and were driving for another touchdown at the Vols 17 in the third quarter. But Tebow threw a pass that was picked off by Eric Berry and returned 96 yards for a touchdown that pulled the Vols within 28-20 with 8:47 left.

On the Vols' next possession, though, tailback Arian Foster's fumble was recovered by Dustin Doe and returned 18 yards for a touchdown, giving the Gators a 35-20 lead with 5:18 left in the quarter.

"We can't continue to give up big plays," Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer said. "I'm not saying we gave it to them. They earned it.

"But they earned a punt return (the second the Vols have allowed in three games) ... which puts our defense in a tough spot. We cannot help good teams that way."

In his SEC starting debut, Tebow was 14-of-19 for 299 yards, including passes of 25, 30, 44 and 49 yards.

But it was Florida's defense, which lost nine starters from last season, that might have earned the best grade. Vols quarterback Erik Ainge was 26-of-41 for 249 yards, but Foster, who ran for 90 and 125 yards in his first two games, had 26 on 11 carries.

Senior safety Tony Joiner said the young defense rose to the occasion after being reminded all last week about the game's importance.

"I know they got tired of me talking to them about it. But every day in the locker room, when I would see them walking to class, I'd say 'Hey, it's a different ballgame now. It's SEC play,'" Joiner said. "This is totally serious. It's not like we're playing Troy.

"They have an understanding. It was so good for them to get their feet wet like they did and then for us to pound it in their heads the way we did throughout the week. That's what made them come out and play football like they did."

Up next

at Mississippi, 12:30 Saturday, Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, OxfordTV/radio: Ch. 38; 620-AM

[Last modified September 15, 2007, 23:54:33]