The idea that UF would put up eight touchdowns against Hawaii wasn't all that far-fetched, but doing so while quarterback Tim Tebow scored just once didn't seem quite right.
The Heisman Trophy winner didn't have to exert much energy in the No. 5 Gators' 56-10 win Saturday, mostly thanks to contributions from seven other players that seemed to come straight out of a highlight video.
Electrifying runs, solid special teams play and ball-hawking defense kept the crowd of 90,575 in The Swamp on its feet and made a lackluster first quarter nothing but an afterthought. Tebow barely broke a sweat.
"I didn't take too much of a pounding," Tebow said. "I don't think I'm sore, so I can go condition now. I didn't take too many hits."
Now a fresh Tebow and the rest of the Gators turn their attention to the Hurricanes, who come to Gainesville on Saturday.
The fire was already evident in Tebow's eyes right after the Hawaii game. The junior signal-caller was 9-of-14 passing for 137 yards and a touchdown - a 48-yarder to Murphy - and carried nine times for 37 yards. The game snapped his NCAA-record 14-game streak with at least one rushing and one passing score.
"It's playing the 'U,'" he said. "I've never done it before. I'm excited about it. "We'll probably have about 80 percent of the state of Florida in Gainesville next week and (ESPN) Game Day will probably be here.
"It'll be hyped and no matter how good they played teams last year or whoever they play the rest of the year, they'll play their best game next Saturday against us. Hopefully we'll do the same because that's a rivalry."
Last year's Heisman Trophy winner even took a rare jab, playfully calling out the Miami fans.
"I'm huge into the college environment and the excitement of the fans and everything," Tebow said of when he was recruited by Miami. "After watching a game there . . . I was looking around and there were like 30,000 empty seats. And then you come to Florida and you see the environment (in Gainesville). Wow, big difference."
Expect the Gators to be near full strength for the nationally televised match-up on Saturday.
Coach Urban Meyer said he expects wide receiver Percy Harvin and Brandon Spikes to play Saturday, after missing the Hawaii game.
Offensive lineman Jim Tartt missed the season opener with a lingering shoulder problem, and his return is not so sure.
"He'll be questionable for the Miami game, but I think he'll play," Meyer said Sunday.
UF will want a quicker start this week after failing to score in the first quarter Saturday, although the final score erased most memories of the sluggish start.
Big plays came from everywhere against Hawaii with safeties Major Wright and Ahmad Black each returning an interception for a touchdown. Running backs Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps broke off touchdown runs of 33 and 62 yards, respectively. Brandon James scooped up a punt on the second hop and scooted 74 yards for a score.
The Gators' secondary was one of the biggest concerns entering the season and responded well Saturday, holding the Warriors to just 71 yards passing in the first three quarters before the starters were pulled. The unit - which ranked No. 98 in pass defense last season - notched four total interceptions, and although it's too early to tell how much improvement has been made, the group showed some promise.
"I read a lot saying we were a weak link, and this and that, but we stepped it up today," Black said. "They can say what they want, but week in and week out - I'm there every day, so I know we're a much better defense than we were last year."
Posted in Football on Tuesday, September 2, 2008 12:00 am
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