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Gators Throw A Block Party

Tribune photo by COLIN HACKLEY

Florida's Jeffrey Demps blocks the punt of Kentucky's Tim Masthay during first half action.

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By KARL HYPPOLITE

Tribune correspondent

Published: October 26, 2008

GAINESVILLE - On an overcast afternoon where George Edmondson - better known as Mr. Two-Bits - was honored for his 60 years of service, the Gators decided to throw a block party in his honor.

Florida took Kentucky out of the game faster than the blink of an eye - or the snap of a football - as the Gators buried the Wildcats with a stream of blocked punts and blocked field goals en route to a 63-5 victory.

Coach Urban Meyer called Kentucky the best special-teams unit in the SEC, but the Gators quickly squashed that theory during homecoming.

"We heard all week that Kentucky had the best special teams in the country, but we knew we had the best special teams in the country," running back Jeff Demps said. "We just had to come out and show it today."

Florida forced Kentucky into a three-and-out on its first drive and quickly turned special-teams situations into scoring opportunities.

Freshman defensive end William Green broke through the line and blocked Kentucky punter Tim Masthay's attempt. Running back Chris Rainey recovered the ball at the 3-yard line to set up a touchdown run for quarterback Tim Tebow.

"Get used to that name," Meyer said. "William Green around here is going to be a special, special guy."

Meyer has long stood by the mantra that if you block a punt, you have a 90 percent chance of winning the game. The Gators put on a clinic on how special teams can lead to offense, as 21 of Florida's 63 points came after a blocked kick.

Florida's special teams didn't wait long to add to that statistic. Forced into another three-and-out on its next drive, Kentucky attempted another punt with similar results. Demps busted through the line this time and blocked the punt.

Demps recovered the punt at the 1-yard line.

With the Gators leading 28-0 in the second quarter, Kentucky finally appeared to put together a drive that would get them a score, but the drive stalled at the Florida 14-yard line and the Wildcats settled for a field-goal attempt.

At least they thought they would until Joe Haden scampered through the line and blocked the try. Major Wright caught the ball as it tumbled from the sky and returned it 35 yards.

That play set up a 61-yard touchdown pass to Demps. That block tied a school record for blocks in a game and it was the first time Florida blocked three kicks since 2006 against South Carolina.

"We're a punt block team," Meyer said. "We happen to have one of the best returners in college football and I don't know this for a fact but I don't know if anyone works any harder. We put some really dynamic personnel out there."

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