[17] The attendance of 90,714 was two shy of the stadium record. Freshman sensation Tim Tebow took over for the majority of the second half, going 1012 passing, for 200yards, and two touchdowns. Florida's defense, which had been touted as one of the best in the SEC, lived up to their billing, stifling the Georgia offense for the entire first half. Florida did move the ball successfully, but was unable to move the ball inside the redzone. Florida won the toss and elected to defer the option to the second half, giving Ohio State the ball first. Like in their other 3 SEC victories, the Gators fell behind in the first half, allowing an LSU touchdown drive after a fumble on the opening drive. Chris Leak, who played in his final game at The Swamp, played in the first half, going 912 for 98yards and one touchdown. ESPN's College GameDay was on campus for the Top-10 tilt between the LSU Tigers and the Gators. [23] Leak found three different receivers on the drive, which culminated with a lob pass to fellow senior Dallas Baker. Joe Haden. The Gators added another touchdown before halftime, when Chris Leak threw a 40-yard touchdown pass to Andre Caldwell for his second touchdown of the game. The victory catapulted the Gators over second ranked Michigan in the BCS standings, giving the Gators the right to play Ohio State in the BCS National Championship Game.[24]. Leading 3414 heading into the third quarter, the Gators appeared to be conservative on offense, which resulted in a quick three and out on the first possession of the half. The Gators and the Bulldogs traded possessions, with the Gators getting the ball back with a little over three minutes in the game. Prior to the game, Florida also unveiled its four initial entries into the Gator Football Ring of HonorEmmitt Smith, Danny Wuerffel, Steve Spurrier, and Jack Youngblood.[18]. However, Florida was unable to capitalize on the turnover, as Chris Hetland again missed a field goal. In a thrilling game, defensive lineman Jarvis Moss blocked an extra point and a potential game winning 48-yard field goal with only eight seconds remaining in the game to ensure a Gator victory. Before the game, it was announced that star defensive lineman Marcus Thomas was kicked off the team for the remainder of the year. Using their power running game, and a 13-yard scramble from Smith, the Buckeyes drove to the Gators' 18-yard line. According to The New York Times, 41 members of the 2008 Gators have been arrested. Florida football has a rich history of success on the offensive side of the line of scrimmage stretching back to the late 1960s when head coach Ray Graves assembled one of the best all-time teams to take the field for the Gators. After two Tim Tebow runs up the middle, Florida faced a third down and goal on the Ohio State one yard line. Florida used a timeout to draw up a play for Tebow, who remained in the game. Harvin appeared to be down at the one-yard line, but after further review, it was determined that Harvin did reach the endzone. Florida reserve QB Tim Tebow led the game in rushing, with 61yards. The Gators also scored right before halftime on Tebow's first touchdown pass, where he faked a leap over the pile and threw the ball to a falling Tate Casey. By forcing a safety in the third quarter, the Gator defense outscored the blanked Golden Knights offense. On their next offensive possession, the Gators were determined to put the game out of reach. The Gators trailed for nearly the entire first three quarters. Florida overcame the toughest schedule in the nation by opponent winning percentage[2][3][4][5] to become national champions. Ohio State ran a draw play on 3rd down, and punted on the following play. It was the Gators' first shutout since blanking Mississippi State on September 29, 2001. The third-ranked Gators had little trouble disposing of the 1-AA Western Carolina Catamounts 620. A terribly unfortunate story off the field, Aaron Hernandez played a large role in Meyers title-winning offense in 2008 and was unquestionably one of the best at his position. Soon thereafter, the Gators seemingly averted danger when they stripped the ball from the Tigers at the goal line. Florida entered the game hoping to avenge a 313 loss in Tuscaloosa, Alabama the previous season, and end a rare three-game losing streak against a conference opponent. Florida fumbled. Despite giving up four turnovers and forcing none, the Gators easily beat the spread for the second time this season. On the opening kickoff, Ted Ginn Jr sprinted for a 93-yard kick off return for a touchdown, turning the largely Ohio State crowd into a frenzy and giving the Buckeyes a 70 lead 16seconds into the game. Leak again rallied the team, but it was freshman Tim Tebow who made a huge play when he converted a crucial fourth down inside Tennessee territory. Defensive game MVP Derrick Harvey recovered the fumble and returned it for 9yards, to the Ohio State five yard line. Faced with a fourth-and-goal on the Ohio State 1-yard line, many fans knew what was coming. Record: 13-1 (2nd of 119) . Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. Ohio State was now in a deep hole, trailing by ten with six minutes to go in the half. The Gators, however, had one of the top defenses in the nation. Late in the first half, Chris Leak had a career-long 45-yard run. By forcing a safety in the third quarter, the Gator defense outscored the blanked Golden Knights offense. Braun was a brick wall in protection to begin his career, allowing only one pressure on 75 pass-blocking snaps according to Pro Football Focus. 1998 - 2023 University Athletic Assoc., Inc., FOX Sports Sun & IMG College. [10], The Gators celebrated the ten-year anniversary of winning their 1996 national championship in football during the opening game against Southern Miss. There has been a critical error on this website. He appealed the suspension, but missed the Kentucky game while awaiting word on the appeal. Chris Leak led the Gators back on the field, starting from the Ohio State 35-yard line. The Gators' schedule included a four-game stretch against teams likely to be in the top-15 teams, starting with Alabama on September 30. Since then, three Heisman Trophies have arrived in Gainesville while . Despite giving up four turnovers and forcing none, the Gators easily beat the spread for the second time this season. Tebow appeared to be running yet again, but he pitched the ball to wide receiver Andre Caldwell who then threw a touchdown pass to tight end Tate Casey which proved to give the Gators a big enough lead to win their first conference championship in six years.
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