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UF-FSU Notes: Trash Talk? Not This Time

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By MICK ELLIOTT | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 27, 2008

SOUND OF SILENCE

Don't expect any pregame trash-talking from Florida State. Consider it a lesson learned from last season, when Seminoles LB Geno Hayes proclaimed Gators quarterback Tim Tebow was "going down."

Tebow, the eventual Heisman Trophy winner, accounted for five touchdowns and the Gators cruised, 45-12.

"I'm not trying to call Geno out by any means," Seminoles LB Dekoda Watson said of Hayes, now a rookie with the Bucs. "But at the same time, I feel like we don't have to talk with our mouths. We can just talk with our actions on the field. And that's where it needs to come from."

YOUNG BLOCKERS

FSU has received excellent play from its youthful offensive line — three freshmen are expected to start against the Gators — but second-year offensive line coach Rick Trickett isn't ready to pour on the praise.

At least not while the games are still going.

"We just keep trying to pound that rock and see what we've got," Trickett said. "Sometimes, I'm even amazed we're doing some of the things we're doing with them. I coach them all like they are five-year veterans."

RUSHING LEADERS

Florida's Jimmy DuBose has the top single-game rushing effort in the Gators-Seminoles series with a 204-yard performance in 1975. Here's the top 10:

1975: Jimmy DuBose, UF; 22 carries, 204 yards, 0 TDs

1996: Warrick Dunn, FSU; 24 carries, 185 yards, 0 TDs

1997: Fred Taylor, UF; 22 carries, 162 yards, 4 TDs

2007: Percy Harvin, UF; 16 carries, 157 yards, 1 Td

1989: Emmitt Smith, UF; 30 carries, 153 yards, 1 TD

1979: Mark Lyles, FSU; 27 carries, 151 yards, 2 TDs

1990: Amp Lee, FSU; 26 carries, 147 yards, 2 TDs

1977: Larry Key, FSU; 20 carries, 143 yards, 0 TDs

1997: Travis Minor, FSU; 21 carries, 142 yards 1 TD

1982: Lorenzo Hampton, UF; 23 carries, 138 yards, 0 TDs

THAT'S SOMETHING NEW

Seminoles QB Christian Ponder's ability to run has given the Seminoles a look the Gators are not accustomed to.

"On defense, we're not surprised at all," Florida coach Urban Meyer said. "They're schematically similar to what they've been in the past. Talent-wise, they're very similar. They are very-well coached.

"On offense, it's completely different. It's single-wing style, direct-snap runs. It's option football, and then obviously traditional football. It's a little bit like we do. We have to make sure we're very sound on defense.

Ponder has had a rushing touchdown in each of the last four games, and the FSU offense as a whole has twice as many rushing TDs (24) this season as it had all of last year (12).

FLORIDA STRIKES VS. OPPONENTS

The Gators haven't had much trouble putting points on the board quickly this season. How they have fared in each game this season:

Hawaii: Led 56-0 before giving up score.

Miami: Scored on opening possession.

Tennessee: Led 27-0 before UT scored in fourth quarter.

Ole Miss: Nothing to brag about.

Arkansas: Outscored Razorbacks 21-0 in fourth quarter.

LSU: Led 20-0 before Tigers scored.

Kentucky: Took 35-0 lead.

Georgia: Led 49-3 before giving up touchdown.

Vanderbilt: Led 42-0, scoring 28 in first 18 minutes.

South Carolina: Led 28-0.

The Citadel: Led 42-0.

TEBOW TESTIMONAL

Florida QB Tim Tebow:

- Has thrown for multiple touchdowns in seven consecutive games, the longest streak of his career.

- Has not thrown an interception in his last 70 attempts, dating to the Kentucky game.

- Is Florida's active career leader in rushing yards with 1,791, which is a school record for a quarterback — a mark previously held by Larry Libetore (1960-62).

- Has run for five TDs this year against top-25 opponents.

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