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UF breaks '72 mark with 24 interceptions

Todd Johnson, Lito Sheppard combine for 11 INTs this season, many at perfect time to provide needed boost.

By DEBI JONES

© St. Petersburg Times, published December 3, 2000

ATLANTA -- There may not be a competition brewing between Todd Johnson and Lito Sheppard, but they were competing against something.

History.

Johnson and Sheppard led a Florida defense that had 24 interceptions in the regular season -- one better than the record of 23 by the 1972 Gators.

"We don't talk about that too much," Johnson said. "Coach (Jon) Hoke just told us that we were two behind the team, so we wanted to get that, but we don't talk about it too much."

Saturday against Auburn, Sheppard had his first multi-interception game and finished the regular season with six, edging Johnson who finished with five.

Their combined 11 interceptions contributed to a defense known for making big plays when needed.

Sheppard's first interception came when the Tigers were driving in the first quarter, picking the ball off from the Gators' 7-yard line.

"Coach just called the right plays at the right time and I was able to get to it," Sheppard said.

Two of Florida's turnovers came inside its 20-yard line.

Before the SEC Championship Game, Florida allowed an average of 347.6 yards per game, and the Tigers gained 328 yards.

"We missed a lot of tackles, but we made big plays when we needed to," junior linebacker Travis Carroll said.

While the Gators may have given up a few yards, the turnovers gave the offense a chance. Florida turned four turnovers into 14 points.

"We took advantage of their turnovers," Grossman said. "They did not take advantage of our turnovers. They did not play well when we gave them the ball."

However, Saturday's game of turnovers and yardage is nothing new to Florida's defense. The Gators have been feeding off each other and competition all season in making turnovers.

"Coach Hoke always says bad things are going to happen," Johnson said. "But if you keep playing hard and physical, good things are going to happen. We got big turnovers to stop their drives, and it was huge. If you are playing in a championship game, you have to have players make big plays."

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