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By ANDY STAPLES, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 21, 2007

Updated: 10/21/2007 12:15 am

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Coach Urban Meyer's words zipped from the far sideline and into University of Florida offensive coordinator Dan Mullen's headset as the clock neared two minutes Saturday and the Gators lined up on the Kentucky 45-yard line.

'Hey,' Mullen remembered Meyer saying. 'Let's take the shot right here.'

The Gators led by a touchdown, but Meyer worried about allowing Kentucky's thoroughbred offense even a sliver of hope. A win would give Florida control of its destiny in the Southeastern Conference title race. The consequences of a loss were too dire to fathom.

So the Gators took the shot.

Quarterback Tim Tebow connected with receiver Percy Harvin down the right sideline for 40 yards, setting up a Tebow touchdown run that secured Florida's 45-37 win and snapped the Gators' two-game losing streak. And thanks to Tennessee's loss at Alabama on Saturday, Florida (5-2, 3-2 SEC) now can win the SEC Eastern Division outright by winning its next three games.

'With how explosive their offense is,' Mullen said, 'even with that amount of time left in the game, we decided we needed an aggressive approach.'

Offenses ruled what essentially was an elimination game in the SEC East race. While Florida controls its destiny, losses to South Carolina and the Gators mean Kentucky (6-2, 2-2) probably will need to win its final four games and get help to have any chance to play for the conference title Dec. 1 in Atlanta.

Meanwhile, Tebow and Kentucky quarterback Andre' Woodson may face off again in New York on Dec. 8. The players entered Saturday among the top five candidates for the Heisman Trophy, and each proved Saturday that he belongs on the short list.

Woodson completed 35 of 50 passes for 415 yards and five touchdowns, while Tebow completed 18 of 26 passes for 256 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for 78 yards and a touchdown. Neither threw an interception. Woodson was sacked six times, though, and that pressure may have kept the Gators from allowing 500 passing yards.

'Their defense was a little quicker than what we've seen,' Woodson said. 'They are very physical and quick coming around the corner.'

Both teams also were quick to reach the end zone. Kentucky scored on its first possession, and Florida scored on its second. Then, on the second play of Florida's next possession, Tebow hit a streaking Louis Murphy for a 66-yard touchdown. The Gators took a 21-10 lead into the half after Tebow hit tight end Aaron Hernandez on the 'jump pass' made famous in last season's win against LSU, and Florida added another touchdown early in the third quarter.

But no lead was safe with Woodson facing Florida's porous pass defense.

'I didn't feel good,' Meyer said, 'until I saw the clock tick down.'

Tight end Jacob Tamme caught a Woodson pass and spun away from an A.J. Jones tackle attempt for a 28-yard touchdown to make it 28-17. After Florida answered with a field goal, Woodson fired across the middle to Dicky Lyons Jr., who ran left and broke away for a 50-yard score.

After the teams traded touchdowns again, Florida faced second-and-7 from the Kentucky 45. The Gators had tried to go deep two plays earlier, but, after seeing his receiver covered, Tebow dumped off to Kestahn Moore for a 9-yard gain.

Sensing a chance to make the grand gesture that would vanquish the pesky Wildcats and send the Gators surging into Georgia week confident they still can win the SEC East, Meyer radioed Mullen and ordered a launch.

'I guess if the head coach said to do it, you're OK,' Mullen said. 'There's a lot less pucker when the head coach says you can call the shot play.'

Reporter Andy Staples can be reached at (352) 262-3719 or astaples@tampatrib.com.

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