Florida Gators 41 – Kentucky Wildcats 7
The story in the victory over
Kentucky
is of course going to be the shot
Florida
quarterback
Tim Tebow
took. A clean, hard hit looked bad enough when Tebow didn’t get up, but the replay showed it might have been much worse. As Tebow went down, he head struck offensive lineman
Marcus Gilbert’s
knee. Tebow was able to get up and get to the sideline, but began vomiting not long after and was taken to the hospital as a precaution. First reports are that the senior suffered a concussion. He was kept in Kentucky overnight for observation.
As for the game, the Gators came out on fire and built up a 31-0 lead after only the first quarter before slowing things down. A solid 41-7 victory over an SEC East opponent was just what Florida needed before heading into a bye week. It’s been hard to get a read on LSU – Florida’s next opponent – this season, but they are still the Tigers and always present a good matchup. The Gators needed a good win before taking the next couple of weeks to prepare for what might be the season’s biggest matchup for both squads.
After carrying the ball what many thought to be too many times against Tennessee, a heavy dose of Tebow was on the plate again against the Wildcats. Tebow carried 16 times (and might have ran more if he hadn’t been knocked out of the game) for 123 yards and two touchdowns. Tebow is now only one rushing touchdown away from tying Georgia’s Herschel Walker at the top of the SEC’s all-time list. Although the Gators only attempted 16 passes all game, Tebow also managed to throw for a score. The quarterback has passed and rushed for 11 total touchdowns in Florida’s four games this season.
The running game as a whole was a big advantage for the Gators. Florida ran for 362 yards, compared to 86 gained on the ground by Kentucky. Jeffery Demps led the way among running back with 12 carries for 97 yards and although Emmanuel Moody only carried the ball five times, I can’t really complain. Moody totaled six touches (he also caught a pass) for 75 total yards and 12.5 yards per touch. The six touches don’t seem like a lot, but Moody was on the field for a lot of this one and might be on track to seeing more playing time.
The defense was great as usual. It seems like Charlie Strong took the leash off in this one and let them go. There were blitzes, aggressive coverages, and multiple schemes. It was the defense we’re all used to. And it works. Kentucky only totaled 179 yards and 11 first downs. Most importantly, the Gator defense allowed the Wildcats to convert only three of their 16 third downs.
Despite limping off the field on more than one occasion, Brandon Spikes finally showed the talent we’ve seen for the last few years. Spikes led the team with 10 tackles and always seemed to be around the ball. The Gators got interceptions from Janoris Jenkins and Major Wright and sacked Kentucky quarterbacks three times.
When these two teams face each other in 2010, Kentucky may not want to attempt any punts. Chris Rainey was on double duty in the first quarter as he blocked a punt and fell on the ball in the end zone for the touchdown. Special teams are an important part of Florida’s success and they got the big play in this one.
Now the Gators head for their weekend off. A good thing too. Tebow gets more time to rest after the shot heard ‘round college football. And all those flu-like symptoms have plenty of opportunity to go away. The big one is up next. LSU. In Baton Rouge. At night.