TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Lucky Bounce To Harvin Boosts Gators

ADVERTISEMENT

By KARL HYPPOLITE

Tribune correspondent

Published: October 12, 2008

Updated: 10/12/2008 01:11 am

GAINESVILLE - They say football is a game of inches, but sometimes it's a game of bounces.

Florida playmaker Percy Harvin showed just that on the third play of Saturday night's matchup between the last two BCS national champions.

With the Gators facing a third-and-12 on their opening drive, quarterback Tim Tebow lofted a pass to a seemingly wide-open Harvin.

Tebow's pass was slightly underthrown, allowing LSU safety Danny McCray to recover and tip the pass. Luckily for UF, the tip fell right into the hands of Harvin, who took care of the rest himself and took home a 70-yard TD.

The play and bounce was bigger than just the 7-0 lead it gave Florida.

Without it Florida's 51-21 rout of the Tigers may have never been. If that tipped ball had fallen to the ground - or worse been intercepted - the questions that have hung over the Gators offense this season would have persisted in the biggest game of their season.

What's wrong with Tebow?

What's wrong with the play-calling?

What the heck is Dan Mullen doing?

Where are the big plays?

Instead, the electricity that filled the air turned into pandemonium as fans at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium were reminded of the type of firepower Florida has when the offense is hitting on all cylinders. When the offense is hitting on all cylinders it generally involves Harvin making big plays.

On Florida's second drive, Harvin caught a 25-yard pass that helped set up a field goal that gave them a 10-0 lead before the Tigers could catch their collective breaths.

Harvin wouldn't give them a chance to, either. With the Gators facing third-and-goal at the LSU 7-yard line, Tebow found Harvin for his second receiving TD of the day.

The score gave Harvin his second 100-yard receiving game of the season, as well as his fifth touchdown reception of the season. It was also the first two-touchdown reception day of Harvin's career.

Harvin finished with six receptions for 112 yards and two rushes for 13 yards.

Harvin was quiet for much of the game following his explosive opening quarter, catching only a few dink-and-dunk receptions to keep drives moving, but the damage had already been done.

Harvin's dominant play seemed to open up the field for Florida's other playmakers, like young running backs Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey.

Because of one bounce, one bounce to save a season.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT