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Red-Zone Efficiency Key For 'Noles

Tribune file photo by SCOTT ISKOWITZ (2007)

Tebow celebrates with Louis Murphy after a touchdown during the two teams' 2007 matchup.

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By JOEY JOHNSTON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 26, 2008

The Gators defeated the Seminoles 45-12 last season in Gainesville, but in the first half, it was competitive. As FSU offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher accurately pointed out, both teams scored four times in the first half.

"They scored three touchdowns and a field goal and we scored four field goals," Fisher said.

Oops.

Against the Gators, that won't get it done. Especially with UF's quick-strike offense.

"Whenever you get in the red zone, you have to score a touchdown," Seminoles QB Christian Ponder said.

"You can't settle for field goals. I think that's what happened the past couple of years and it has cost us some games."

This season could be a different story. FSU ranks second in the ACC and 16th nationally in red-zone efficiency. In 45 overall red-zone opportunities, FSU has 27 touchdowns and 13 field goals.

WINNERS AND LOSERS

The Gators are going for their fifth consecutive victory against the Seminoles - meaning the Florida and FSU seniors could join an exclusive list (one good, one bad).

Ten prominent players who never lost in the Florida-FSU football series:

After suspending sophomore QB Cam Newton from the team following his arrest on felony charges, the Gators formulated a contingency plan for the worst-case scenario.

Freshman John Brantley will continue to back up Tim Tebow, but after that punter Chas Henry and playmaker Percy Harvin would get the call.

"Chas Henry is meeting with the quarterbacks full time now," Meyer said. "And Percy is taking some direct snaps. Obviously, we'd have a limited throwing game with Percy at quarterback.

"But Chas Henry was a high school quarterback. A very functional player. A smart player."

GOOD TRAVELERS

Florida is one of nine teams nationally not to have lost a game away from home this year. The Gators have won five straight road games, which ties for the fifth-longest streak in the nation.

The last time Florida had a road winning streak that was longer was during the 1995-96 seasons when it won eight straight as the visitor.

There have been 14 seasons in school history UF did not lose a road game; the last was 1999.

CAN WE CHANGE THE SUBJECT?

Coach Bobby Bowden is in his 33rd season at Florida State. He is locked in a chase with Penn State's Joe Paterno to be the winningest coach in college football history.

UF's Urban Meyer was asked if he has ever thought of the legacy he might leave 30 some years from now, and whether he might like to finish among the winningest coaches ever.

"I think any time you go on the road, you need to play good defense," Meyer answered with a straight face.

"It's going to be a big challenge for us. The crowd is really going to be in this game."

Does that mean Meyer doesn't think he wants to coach that long?

"There are two different cadences that we're going to try to use," he said. "Getting the ball off is going to be difficult. The crowd is really going to be into it."

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