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Tebow Legend Grows Like Herschel's Did
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Published: September 15, 2007
Today on "Tim Tebow Today" we use an electron microscope to examine Tim's DNA. Our guest is Dr. Oliver Ingram, director of the American Genome Project and winner of the Wartenmeyer Medal for service in the field of genetics.
Your findings, Dr. Ingram?
"Teeeeee-bow."
Today, the Southeastern Conference football schedule gets the full Paul Bunyan. Tim Tebow, folk hero, makes his first SEC start this afternoon against Tennessee.
It might not seem that special, given the fact that Tebow arrived neck deep in legend and began SEC water walking as a freshman, including the big jump-off in Knoxville, that crucial first down on fourth-and-1 that helped beat the Vols.
The game of this season might be Florida at LSU in three weeks. Last season, Tebow threw for two touchdowns and ran for one against LSU, including his famed jump-double-pump touchdown toss.
What's next?
Is it Herschel time?
Some Great Starts
There have been some great SEC starting debuts for Florida quarterbacks. Chris Leak threw for 268 yards and two touchdowns to lead Florida back to beat Kentucky in 2003. Rex Grossman threw for 276 yards and three touchdowns as Florida beat LSU in 2000.
Shane Matthews threw for 267 yards and a score as the Gators beat Alabama in 1990. John Reaves threw for 329 yards and three scores against Mississippi State in 1969.
Kerwin Bell threw for 104 yards in a tie with LSU in 1984. Steve Spurrier threw for 140 yards in his first SEC start, but Florida lost to Alabama, though there would be other games.
Which reminds us: When does Tebow kick the field goal to beat Auburn?
Danny Wuerffel began his SEC career against Tennessee, leading the Gators to victory with three TD passes in 1993. Doug Johnson threw for 261 yards and three touchdowns in his first SEC start to beat Tennessee in 1997.
The most startling Florida SEC debut might have come 20 years ago, when freshman Emmitt Smith ran for 224 yards at Legion Field as the Gators upset Alabama.
Tebow, of course, along with being everything else he is, grew up a Gators fan and has an eye for history. He starts in on the Tennessee games.
"I remember that [1995] game pretty well," Tebow said this week. "Right after that game was when Danny Wuerffel got his cover on Sports Illustrated.
"In 96, we came back and beat Tennessee at Tennessee. I remember that one pretty well. Danny Wuerffel, four touchdowns. Peyton Manning, four [interceptions]. That was a lot of fun."
Peyton Manning's first SEC start for Tennessee was against Arkansas, though he was still splitting time at quarterback. He threw for 167 yards and a touchdown.
Bo Jackson ran for 110 yards and a touchdown in his first SEC start. Cadillac Williams' first SEC start came late in his freshman year at Auburn with a visit to Georgia. Caddy had 41 carries for 167 yards and two touchdowns and had a 61-yard catch.
"First game out in the SEC, you want to show them all," Williams said.
Back to Georgia.
Back to The King.
Herschel Walker.
Walker Ran Over The Vols
I don't care if it wasn't his first SEC start, Herschel Walker's first SEC game tops them all. He's the greatest and it's the greatest.
And it wasn't even on the Internet.
Walker began the 1980 season at Tennessee as a third-string freshman running back. Tennessee led 15-0 when Vince Dooley sent him in. In the third quarter, on the Tennessee 16-yard-line, Walker took a pitch right, then cut left.
Six Tennessee players touched him. He trampled them. He steamrolled a lineman, then saw a safety up ahead. It was Tennessee's Bill Bates. Herschel ran over him, leaving cleat marks on his jersey. He then plowed through two cornerbacks for his first college score.
Georgia broadcaster Larry Munson made the call:
"My God, a freshman."
Tim Tebow is a sophomore, but you can't help but think of Herschel. Both arrived on campus with an aura. I can't think of anyone as young as Tebow with as many true tales that would do Herschel proud.
As a sophomore, in his second Tennessee game, Herschel ran for 161 yards and knocked two Vols unconscious on one play.
That's a tough act to follow.
Now comes Tim Tebow.
He hasn't even gotten to the meat of his legend making. That starts today.
"It's my first big start, my first conference game," Tebow said.
You want to show them all.
What's next?
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