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UF's Hopes Alive

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By MICK ELLIOTT

melliott@tampatrib.com

Published: November 9, 2008

Updated: 11/09/2008 12:45 am

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - There were no unexpected developments Saturday night for the Florida Gators, only continuing clarity of a finish line moving closer into view.

The season of big hope presses on. With a 42-14 victory against the Vanderbilt Commodores, the fifth-ranked Gators clinched the SEC Eastern Division's spot in next month's conference championship game, keeping alive all aspirations that could flower from the opportunity.

The Gators improved to 8-1 overall and 6-1 in the SEC. Vanderbilt, after opening the season with five consecutive victories, fell to 5-4 and 3-3.

Although assured of its second trip to Atlanta for the SEC title game in three seasons, Florida still has much work remaining. South Carolina comes to The Swamp this week, followed by The Citadel and Florida State before the Gators get No. 1-ranked Alabama in the SEC Championship.

"It's exciting," quarterback Tim Tebow said. "We know we are going to Atlanta, so it will help us be more focused on playing one game at a time.

"We just need to take care of our business and if we do that, no telling what can happen."

But earlier in the day a loss by No. 3 Penn State to Iowa promises the Gators will inch closer to being in control of their own fate.

There was little question who was in charge on a crisp and breezy evening in Vanderbilt Stadium in front of a crown of 39,773 - almost half wearing orange and blue - and ESPN2 cameras.

The Gators outgained the Commodores 422-264 in yardage despite gaining only 15 in the final quarter after emptying the bench. Tebow accounted for five touchdowns - all in the first half. Before heading to the sideline at the end of three quarters, Tebow produced his biggest numbers of the season, completing 12 of 17 passes for 171 yards and three touchdowns, and rushing 11 times for 88 yards and two scores.

"He was very aggressive tonight," Florida coach Urban Meyer said. "Their defense had a plan and it was to make him run. That probably was a pretty good play, try to get some hits in on him. But several times he really put his shoulder down and made some things happen."

It was over - at least decided - almost from the moment it started.

The Gators scored touchdowns on each of their first four possessions.

Florida led 21-0 before Vanderbilt earned its initial first down, and was up 35-0 at the half.

"Very impressed by the way we jumped on them early," Meyer said. "It was a product of good defense and a product of good special teams."

The Commodores' opening four possessions included two blocked punts by Florida defensive end Carlos Dunlap and a pass interception by Ahmad Black.

The Gators' first four offensive possessions started at their 40, 42 and Vandy's 32 and 24.

Florida capitalized on each opportunity, quickly and decisively.

A nine-play, 60-yard drive got the night started, with a 12-yard Tebow pass to Louis Murphy.

Tebow ran 26 yards for a touchdown - the longest scoring run of his career - on Florida's second possession. He scored again from 8 yards on its third possession. He then threw 11 yards to Riley Cooper.

The Gators never backed off until there was nothing left to prove.

With eight seconds left before halftime, Tebow arched a 41-yard bomb to David Nelson to make it 35-0.

At intermission, Florida led in first downs 18-3 and 330-93 in yards.

As if that wasn't enough, the Gators took the second-half kickoff and went 69 yards in 10 plays with Harvin scoring from the 1. It was the 12th consecutive game in which Harvin has scored. "We wanted him to score a touchdown," Meyer said. "He's earned that right."

How totally did Florida own the night?

At the end of the third quarter, when Gators fans traditionally stand and sway while singing "We Are The Boys of Ol' Florida," the east stands were almost totally orange and blue except for the Vanderbilt band.

Yet, for all the offensive fireworks that will be featured on weekend highlights, the team the loves its special teams was gaga over Dunlap's two blocks.

Florida has blocked 16 punts during Meyer's four seasons, and seven have come on opponents' opening possession.

The Gators are 11-0 under Meyer when blocking a punt.

"It all starts with defense and special teams," Meyer said. "You play good defense and special teams and you are going to win football games."

Reporter Mick Elliott can be reached at (813) 281-2534.

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