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UF defense once again up to task

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By MIKE DiFERDINANDO

Tribune correspondent

Published: November 15, 2009

COLUMBIA, S.C. - It was a tale of two halves for the Florida defense Saturday.

South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia was able to move the ball with relative ease at times against the vaunted UF defense early on. The former Jefferson High standout found success throwing quick outs toward the sidelines and was able to hook up with receiver Alshon Jeffery for big plays down the field.

"We were bringing the corner blitz and we knew that when we brought the corner blitz the ball would be thrown outside," defensive coordinator Charlie Strong said. "Our guys just didn't execute in the first half."

The Gamecocks drove 65 yards in the final minutes of the second quarter and Garcia found tight end Weslye Saunders in the back of the end zone for a 9-yard touchdown pass that cut the Gators' lead to 17-14.

"That was my big deal at halftime. It wasn't adjustments, it was just play better and we did play better," Strong said.

The Gamecocks opened the fourth quarter down by three and were poised to score when defensive end Justin Trattou took a tipped pass 53 yards on an interception return into South Carolina territory.

The return set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Tim Tebow that extended the Gators' lead to 24-14 just as the game looked like it might be getting away from them.

Tebow's score took the life out of the Williams-Brice Stadium crowd and seemed to be the decisive blow to the Gamecocks.

"It was huge," Florida coach Urban Meyer said of the interception. "The whole field was tilting in (South Carolina's favor). And then the field shifted back and momentum completely swung."

Trattou tore the tendon that connects to the biceps completely off his left shoulder in UF's win against Arkansas this season and doctors expected him to be out at least a month with the injury, but the junior missed just one game.

"We expect somebody to make a play," UF defensive end Carlos Dunlap said. "It doesn't always have to be the biggest playmaker or the Brandon Spikes or Ryan Stampers of our defense. We expect everybody to make plays."

The Florida defense dominated following Trattou's interception. With the Gamecocks trailing by two scores, South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier opted to try to throw the ball down the field, but his play calling landed Garcia on his back.

The Gators sacked the sophomore quarterback four times in the final 13 minutes.

The Gators forced three turnovers (two interceptions and a fumble), giving the defense 11 takeaways in the past four games.

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