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Gators In Good Position Thanks To James

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By ANDY STAPLES | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 4, 2007

GAINESVILLE - After a 53-yard punt return and a 52-yard kickoff return Saturday in Florida's 49-22 win against Vanderbilt, Gators TB Brandon James now has seven kick returns of 50 yards or more on the season - including four in the past three games.

Florida has scored after five of James' 50-plus returns, including two touchdowns Saturday. Florida is 5-1 this season when James returns a kick more than 50 yards.

"He's one of the best weapons in college football as far as change in field position," Florida coach Urban Meyer said.

James' Vandy counterpart, D.J. Moore, entered Saturday ranked third in the Southeastern Conference behind James (29.3 yards) and Arkansas' Felix Jones (31.6) in kickoff return average. Moore also raised his average, returning two kicks for 73 yards.

RECORD BREAKER: With a 1-yard touchdown run in Saturday's third quarter - his second of the day - Gators QB Tim Tebow tied a school record for rushing touchdowns in a season with 14. Tebow now stands tied with Emmitt Smith (1989) and Buford Long (1952).

Tebow didn't learn he'd tied the record until after the game. He said he cherishes the thought of holding the same record as Smith, the NFL's all-time rushing leader.

"That's pretty cool," Tebow said. "He was my favorite player growing up."

With that third-quarter touchdown, Tebow also broke the SEC season record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback. The previous record was held by John Bond (Mississippi State, 1983), Derrick Ramsay (Kentucky, 1977) and Andy Johnson (Georgia, 1971).

CALDWELL A TOP TARGET: Florida senior WR Andre Caldwell doubled his season touchdown production during Saturday's second quarter. The former Jefferson High star caught touchdown passes of 4 and 14 yards as the Gators' built a 35-7 halftime lead.

Caldwell, who only had one previous multi-touchdown game in his career, finished with nine catches for 103 yards.

BENNETT'S BAD DAY: Vandy WR Earl Bennett, the SEC's all-time receptions leader, dominated Florida as a freshman and sophomore. His third meeting with the Gators didn't go so well.

Bennett, who caught 19 passes for 232 yards and three touchdowns in his previous two games against Florida, finished Saturday with five catches for 31 yards. The Gators held Bennett without a catch until about the 12-minute mark of the second quarter. Bennett's longest catch of the day went for 10 yards.

LEFT OFF: Florida S Jamar Hornsby and TB Chevon Walker were left off Florida's dress roster for the second consecutive week. Meyer has refused to comment on why the redshirt freshmen aren't playing.

Andy Staples

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