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Noles Defense Unable To Slow Gators, Tebow

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By SCOTT CARTER, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 25, 2007

Updated: 11/25/2007 12:13 am

GAINESVILLE - Florida State's defense performed like most second-graders taking a college algebra test would on Saturday against Florida's offense and quarterback Tim Tebow. The Seminoles had few answers before, during or after the game.

Shortly after Florida's 45-12 victory - FSU's worst loss to the Gators since a 53-14 beating at The Swamp in 1983 - linebacker Dekoda Watson was the lone defensive player to come to the media room to speak with reporters.

"They did a little bit of everything," Watson said. "It was just kind of tough trying to cover it. I don't really know what was happening. We kind of just gave up in the second half and laid down. It's frustrating. They started driving the ball down our throats."

Watson looked tired. He sounded weary. He spoke softly, unlike teammate Geno Hayes. Hayes made headlines on Monday by saying "Tim Tebow is going down," creating some hype for a game that lacked its usual hoopla since neither team entered with a chance to win a national or conference title.

But once the 52nd edition of this heated rivalry kicked off, Tebow silenced Hayes and the Noles with another performance typical of a Heisman contender: 19 of 28, 262 yards and three touchdowns passing; 13 carries, 89 yards and two touchdowns rushing. Overall, Tebow accounted for 351 of Florida's 541 total yards, the most allowed by FSU this season.

"We got whipped pretty good," FSU coach Bobby Bowden said. "That blackboard stuff doesn't bother me. I don't think it bothered Tebow, do you all?"

Florida scored on its first five possessions, paying little attention to Hayes or any other FSU defensive player. After the first of Gary Cismesia's four field goals gave FSU an early 3-0 lead, Tebow marched the Gators down the field on a five-play, 57-yard drive to put Florida up for good. Tebow capped the drive with a 23-yard touchdown run, avoiding a sack by FSU linebacker Marcus Ball and escaping Hayes' presence in the backfield.

Hayes, a junior linebacker who arguably has had the best season of any FSU defensive player, had little to say all day. He finished with one tackle. As he walked off the field, a reporter holding a microphone got an earful from Hayes, who had to be restrained and escorted away by Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley.

Hayes declined to speak to reporters afterward, leaving Watson to do the talking for the defense's poor performance.

"If you talk about any team, that's going to give them fire," Watson said. "They are a good offense. But at the same time, there were a lot of mistakes we had, we weren't attacking, we were busting coverage."

Reporter Scott Carter can be reached at (850) 294-3088 or scarter@tampatrib.com.

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