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Healthy Caldwell Makes Big Impact

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 21, 2007

Updated: 10/20/2007 11:55 pm

LEXINGTON, Ky. - University of Florida WR Andre Caldwell said he felt healthy for Saturday's 45-37 win at Kentucky, the first time the senior has been close to 100 percent since spraining a knee Sept. 8 against Troy.

Caldwell, a Jefferson High graduate, caught six passes for 73 yards and a touchdown against the Wildcats. He also carried twice for 19 yards.

Caldwell caught a 3-yard touchdown pass early in the second half, only to see it wiped away because of an illegal shift penalty. On Florida's next play, he caught an 8-yard touchdown pass from Tim Tebow.

Caldwell also caught two key passes on the fourth-quarter drive that allowed the Gators to take a 38-24 lead. He caught a 13-yard pass on a first-and-15 play and a 13-yarder on third-and-7.

'That's why I came back for his senior year,' Caldwell said, 'to play in big games, make big plays and score touchdowns.'

INJURY UPDATE: Several Gators left Lexington aching, including Tebow.
Offensive coordinator Dan Mullen said Tebow injured his right shoulder after scrambling away from pressure early in the game. Tebow didn't miss a snap, and Gators coach Urban Meyer said he expected Tebow to be fine for Saturday's Georgia game.

Tebow wasn't the only Florida player to hurt his shoulder. CB Wondy Pierre-Louis and DT Clint McMillan missed significant time with shoulder injuries. Also, Meyer said FS Major Wright broke his right thumb and OT Carlton Medder injured his right heel.

JUMP PASS REDUX: The circumstances Saturday were eerily similar to last year's Florida win against LSU. The first-half clock ticked down and Florida looked as if it would send Tebow into the teeth of a goal-line defense for one final shot at a touchdown.

Then, with everyone in the stadium sure he would run, Tebow faked forward, jumped and dumped a pass over the defensive line to TE Aaron Hernandez.

The play looked just like Tebow's touchdown to Tate Casey against LSU last year - only prettier.

'I didn't have to hold up in the air as long,' Tebow said, 'or pump-fake as much.'

SPARKPLUG: Meyer said the Gators may not have won without a pair of key kickoff returns by RB Brandon James.

After Kentucky cut Florida's lead to 14-10 late in the second quarter, James returned a kickoff 61 yards to the Wildcats' 38-yard line. Minutes later, Tebow hit Hernandez on the jump pass.

After Kentucky slashed Florida's lead to 38-31 with 3:35 remaining, James returned a kick 26 yards - with no blockers, because Florida's other 10 players awaited an onside kick - to give the Gators the ball at their 43. That allowed coaches to call passing plays on two of Florida's next four plays. The fourth was a 40-yarder from Tebow to Percy Harvin that set up Florida's final touchdown.

GATOR BITES: Kentucky held a moment of silence for Michael Guilford, the Florida walk-on who was killed in a motorcycle crash Oct. 12. ... Kentucky WR Keenan Burton's 9-yard return in the second quarter marked the first time an opponent has gained positive yardage on a punt return against the Gators this season.

Andy Staples

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