Special game for Senior Day at the Swamp

Florida 48, Appalachian State 10

Well, thanks to greedy people in the broadcasting industry, I missed the Gator game today. Today was Senior Day at the Swamp and it would have been nice to see Mike Pouncey and Ahmad Black play their final home game of their career as a Gator. Even ESPN3.com let me down. Today's game was on pay-per-view only and supposedly the blackout for ESPN3.com was in Florida only, but we could not watch on line in Georgia either. So instead of watching the game replay at ESPN3.com, I was able to catch the last 8 minutes on the Gainesville radio network via the internet. I did get to hear the best highlight of the game, when walk on senior Gary Beemer, a defensive tackle, was given a chance to score from the 3 yard line. It took him three tries and a little push from QB Jordan Reed but he scored for the first time in his playing career! >>Click to read more at Gatorsports

God smiled on the Gamecocks

It was a tough loss to the South Carolina Gamecocks Saturday night and it left us Gator fans shaking our heads. Coach Meyer needs to figure this thing out and I am sure he will, hopefully sooner than later. It was ironic that the former Gator quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner for the Gators and former "beloved" coach of the Gators had to come into the Swamp and win in order to take his current team to the SEC Championship game - a first for the Carolina Gamecocks! It was Steve Spurrier who named this stadium "The Swamp!" So I guess he summed it up best when asked how he felt after the win. Spurrier, the son of a preacher, said "God smiled on the Gamecocks tonight!"

South Carolina 36

Florida 14

Click to read the recap at ESPN.com

Gators play for the SEC East Title today

Another important game for the Gators today as the winner of this game will be playing for the SEC Championship in December. The South Carolina Gamecocks will be playing against the Florida Gators in The Swamp, so I expect the Gators will have the edge. But anything can happen when they play the 'ol ball coach and former Gator quarterback - and now the coach of the Gamecocks - Steve Spurrier. Game time is 7:15 PM

Good day to be a Gator!

I was reminded of the old high school cheer yesterday, "We play (name of team) just for practice...." Yes, it was a good day to be a Gator fan as the team rolled to victory of the Vanderbilt Commodores 55-14. Now we can look ahead to this Saturday's all-important game for the winner of the game next week will be the winner of the SEC East - and will be the team playing for the SEC Championship in December. Advantage goes to Florida because South Carolina has been playing poorly for the last few weeks and the game takes place in The Swamp!

For highlights of yesterday's game, check out these links below:

Freshman Jordan Reed(QB in photo above) debuts as the third QB for the Gators - The redshirt freshman's first pass of the game was a laser strike to Deonte Thompson in the end zone.


Urban Meyer is big on momentum. Right now, at just the right time, the Florida Gators have it — in a big way

Recap of game at ESPN.COM

Photos of the game at ESPN.COM

"It's not how you start, it's how you finish, and I think we're finishing strong," Meyer said. "Obviously, it's championship week in Gainesville, Fla.

Gameday - Florida at Vanderbilt at 12:21 today

Check out this link for gameday previews, videos and more - Gatorzone.com
and GatorVision online

If the Gators play like they did last week, they should win easily at Vanderbilt. I am hoping they found their offense and it continues to play. Gator defense is always tough, and with Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey back on the team last week the offense seemed to click. Having two quarterbacks switching every other play seems to keep the other team's defense a little confused as well. Trey Burton has moves that are similar to Tim Tebow and John Brantley has a great throwing arm. It should be a fun game for the Gator Nation to watch today!

Gators beat the Dawgs again!

What a game this turned out to be! It is not too often that I am standing up watching a ball game for the entire 2nd half! But this was a nail-biter, down-to-the-wire game. I must say my emotions were up and down for most of the 2nd half as the Bulldogs came back from a deficit of 21-7 at the half and tied the game at 24-24. Then the Gators pulled ahead and the Dawgs tied the game again. OVERTIME! For the first time in Florida-Georgia history the game went into overtime. It came down to a field goal and chance to win. This time Chas Henry made it good! Final score 34-31!
OH, MY!

Now, if Florida can beat Vanderbilt and South Carolina, the Gators will be headed to Atlanta for the SEC Championship game in December.
Click to read the game recap for more at ESPN.COM
Click to view photos from the game
Click read Kicker Treat at Gatorsports.com
Click to read Relief For Gators at OrlandoSentinel.com
Click to read Gators Win Overtime Thriller at Jacksonville.com

It's Georgia-Florida week, but not in the polls | ajc.com

It's Georgia-Florida week, but not in the polls ajc.com

Interesting take on this week's big game in Jacksonville - see link to article above posted in the Atlanta paper -notes that for the first time since 1979 neither the Gators or the Bulldogs are ranked in the polls.

But I feel that Georgia has momentum going into this week after winning again Saturday. The Gators had the weekend off and hopefully they were able to fix some problems, heal some wounds, etc. Only time will tell - this should be a tough game this Saturday.

Gators need to find some answers, fast!

I always look at the bright side, but sometimes it is hard to find! One glimmer of hope for the Gator nation is that, assuming the Gators find a new field goal kicker, they can still play for the SEC Championship. I use the word "glimmer" because the Gators still have to play Georgia and South Carolina and Vanderbilt to make it to the SEC title game in Atlanta. Chas Henry (#17) has been replacing the Gators field goal kicker (Caleb Sturgis) who is out with a bad back. With no game this week, maybe the Gators can heal and get back in shape. I am no sore loser, but when you lose by a field goal, it is hard to take. The Gators should have won their last two games against LSU and Mississppi State, but face it - they did not. Yep, Tebow is gone and now the Gators have to find a way to win. They can do it, but it may take another year to accomplish that feat. It's going to be a long football season!

Click to read "Gators looking for answers"

Florida celebrates Homecoming - Game on ESPNU 7PM

This is homecoming weekend for the Gator Nation. The parade was yesterday and the game is tonight. Mississippi State is coming into the Swamp as the last place team in the SEC West. So we are hoping for a big win tonight! After losing two games in a row, the Gators should be ready to win this one. Jeff Demps is still in question - hopefully he will be ready to play again soon.

I am posting some links below from last weeks game. I still don't understand how a ball can hit the ground and still be ruled a live ball, but the experts say it was a "fumble" so the kicker could pick it up and run with it - ruled on the field a lateral pass. If it was ruled a forward pass, it would have been an incomplete pass. Oh, well, you win some, and you lose some, that is life!

"Gone in 6 seconds" from Jacksonville.com

"LSU's fake field goal officiated correctly according to the SEC" from the Orlando Sentinel

"Tigers inch past Gators" from the blog ONLY GATORS

FYI, I am adding the blogsite ONLY GATORS to my sidebar this week.

He sure looked like Tim Tebow. A smaller, faster version anyway

Last Saturday, the Gators had an easy game with Kentucky. I posted the week before that a "star was born" when Jeff Demps exploded for so many runs and scores. But, now I have to use that phrase again, sorry, as a "new star was born" when Trey Burton scored all 6 touchdowns last week! He played QB and wide receiver, and one or two other positions. He was everywhere! So Florida beat the Kentucky Wildcats handily 48-14. Now we wait to see how they will play against the no. 1 team in the nation, Alabama Crimson Tide. Go Gators!

Click to read the ESPN recap, "He sure looked like Tim Tebow. A smaller, faster version anyway."

Gators defeat Tennessee 31-17

After a slow start and after Tennessee tied the score at 10-10, the Gator offense and defense finally kicked in. I must admit to a little nail-biting in the first half, but it was all Florida in the second half! The Gators defeated Tennessee at ol' Rocky Top 31-17. Click this link to read the recap at USATODAY.com

"A star Is born" (Just what the Gators needed)

Finally the Gator offense kicked in today. After what was a horrible first quarter - as it was all South Florida - and then a so-so 2nd quarter with Florida finally scoring, with just seconds left in the half, and thanks to a turnover by South Florida. The score was 7-7 at halftime.

But a star was born in the 2nd half as Jeffrey Demps (2) kicked it in overdrive. Florida ended the game with over 400 yards in offense (after only 200 yards last week.)

Final Score: Florida 38, South Florida 14
Click to read the recap at Gatorsports.com

new season, new quarterback, new focus

On the sidelines for three years as backup to Tim Tebow, John Brantley finally gets to start today for the Gators. I know he is not Tim Tebow and I don't expect him to be Tim Tebow. Too bad the sports talking heads will spend the day comparing the two QB's. To read more about Brantley, click these links to his wikipedia bio or his own fan site.

Just who is John Brantley? Click to read the USA Today on line article

Gator football season begins Sept. 4th

Keep up with the latest news, videos from practice and more at the Florida Gators website - CoachUrbanMeyer.com
Click this link to view

Keeping up with former Gator, Tim Tebow

While we "wait" for the Gators football season to begin, we might as well keep up with former Gator Tim Tebow. He seems to be in the news everyday now - signing contracts for his own shoe with Nike, Jockey commercials for underwear, and finally a contract with the Broncos.

On July 21st, the Denver Post article discussed Tebow and the Broncos - "Just how much "wild horse" offense should we expect to see this season? Or, to put it another way, just how much Tim Tebow?"
click to read article...

On July 24th a poll was released regarding the most influencial athletes. After Lance Armstrong and LeBron James, "Tebow was recently ranked the third most influential athlete in the nation, according to a poll conducted by Encino (Calif.) E-Poll Market Research." read the article at gatorsports.com ...

On July 30th, the Denver Post interviewed John Elway who spoke about Tebow also -"The focus has been on Tebow because of what he did at college, but those other young guys have to come in and play too," Elway said. "You can't expect him to do it by himself." click to read the article...

On July 28th, even Focus on the Family had a post about Tebow - "Tim Tebow, the Denver Broncos first-round draft pick and Focus on the Family's favorite QB, is in the news again today, this time for signing on as a spokesman for Jockey underwear." click to read the article...

And on July 29th, the biggest news for Tebow fans - he finally signed his contract with the Broncos - "Rookie quarterback Tim Tebow officially became a Bronco on Thursday afternoon after signing a five-year contract only two days and three practices late."
click to read the article ...

Bronze statues for the three Heisman Trophy winners

University of Florida athletic association voted recently to approve three larger-than-life statues of the three Heisman trophy winners - Steve Spurrier, Danny Wuerffel and Tim Tebow.
CLICK TO READ MORE

Tebow signs his rookie card

Former Gator QB and future Broncos QB is busy these days signing his rookie NFL card, among other things. ESPN posted this story about the popularity of Tebow's autogragh:

Click to read "Signature moments of Tim Tebow"

Tebow compared to Elway

Woody Paige of the Denver Post writes that he compares the aura around Tebow the rookie to the same aura around John Elway the rookie. Click to read the article on line.

For those who want to keep up with Tebow, here are a few links:

TIMTEBLOG covers the Tebow era

Rockin' the Orange and Blue

Tim Tebow Foundation

More Gators drafted Friday

Seven Gators have been drafted by the NFL as of Friday night, rounds 1-3. The draft continues today.

Joining 1st round picks Tim Tebow, Joe Haden and Markice Pouncey are:

Jermaine Cunningham (OLB) - picked by the New England Patriots

Carlos Dunlap (DE) - picked by the Cincinnati Bengals

Brandon Spikes (ILB) - picked by the New England Patriots

Major Wright (S) - picked by the Chicago Bears

(Click to view Gators still waiting to be picked)

(Click to read USATODAY article "Tim Tebow headed to Broncos")

Gators drafted into the NFL tonight!

CONGRATS TO THE GATORS WHO WERE DRAFTED INTO THE NFL TONIGHT...It is only the first round of the draft and I usually don't pay much attention.... but three Gators have been drafted as of 10 pm Thursday.

JOE HADEN (CB)the #7 pick was drafted by the CLEVELAND BROWNS

MARKICE POUNCEY (Center)the #18 pick was drafted by the PITTSBURGH STEELERS

TIM TEBOW(QB)the # 25 pick drafted by the DENVER BRONCOS

Gators lose in double OT

Well, Gator nation can now turn its eyes to the baseball team, spring football practice, Tebow's NFL watch, etc. as the basketball team lost their first round game in the Big Dance. It took double overtime for BYU to beat the Gators, so the two teams were well-matched. There's always next year. Click to read recap at Gatorsports.com

Gators in West Region NCAA

The Gator basketball team will be making their first appearance in March Madness - the NCAA tournament - since they won the 2007 championship. As a the no. 10 seed in the West Regional, the Gators will play the no. 7 seed Brigham Young University on Thursday.

Click to read "Gators Go Dancing"

NCAA proposes ban on eye black messages | ajc.com

NCAA proposes ban on eye black messages ajc.com

They've been used to promote everyone from the Apostle John to
Michael Vick. But college football players may soon be prohibited from printing anything, secular or holy, on their eye black if the NCAA Football Rules Committee has its way.

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Florida Gators hold on to claim recruiting crown

Florida Gators hold on to claim recruiting crown - CFB News - FOX Sports on MSN

The first week of the new decade was a good one for the Gators as they piled up commitments from many of the nation's best players, including the best defensive line class in the country. From Jan. 2 through Jan. 9, Florida added five five-star-rated players including No. 1 defensive end Ronald Powell (6-4, 250) of Rancho Verde, Calif., No. 1 defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd (6-2, 311) of Philadelphia, Pa., and No. 2 defensive tackle Dominique Easley (6-2, 255) of Staten Island, N.Y.

Tebow's Super Bowl Ad Controversy Builds

It seems the Super Bowl ad placed by Focus on the Family and featuring Tim Tebow and his mom is becoming the most talked about ad this year. I just read this column in the New York Times business section, of all places, and to me it shows that God is using Tebow to reach a lot of people this year. I remember when Tim was a senior in high school and Brandon and I and some of his friends drove down to St. Augustine to see him play one game. He looked like a college ball player then and he continued to impress people with his quarterback skills in college at the Univ. of Florida. Well, I look forward to seeing how he does in the NFL, maybe not at the QB position, but you never know. Click below to read the article at NYtimes.com
An Advocacy Ad Stirs a National Debate

FOR 43 years, Super Bowl viewers have watched all kinds of commercials from companies that are famous (Coca-Cola) or otherwise (Cash4Gold.com), peddling everything from automobiles to Xerox copiers. But never has there been a Super Bowl spot that took sides on a contentious social issue — until now.

Coming soon to a silver screen near you

Coming soon to a silver screen near you — Tim Tebow

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Christian group uses Tebow in TV ad - CFB News - FOX Sports on MSN

Christian group uses Tebow in TV ad - CFB News - FOX Sports on MSN (click to read article)

The former Florida quarterback and his mother will appear in a 30-second commercial during the Super Bowl next month. The Christian group Focus on the Family says the Tebows will share a personal story centering on the theme "Celebrate Family, Celebrate Life."

Gators Crush Cincy in the Sugar Bowl game

As you have probably heard from the media, Tim Tebow set many records during the BCS Sugar Bowl game. As I expected, the Gators bounced back from a loss to Alabama and played like the Gators we love! Too bad, the no. 1 and no. 2 teams on Dec. 1st can not play each other again to see who the real National Champs would be. But after losing the SEC Championship game to Alabama, the Gators dropped to no. 5 and ended up playing the Cincy Bearcats Friday night in the Sugar Bowl. The final score was 51-24 but it was not a close game at all.

From the game recap at Gatorsports.com: (Click this link to read the entire article)

Tebow broke the Sugar Bowl records for passing yards (482) and total
yards (533). UF's 51 points were the second-most in the game's history, just one shy of the 52 the Gators put up in a 52-20 victory over Florida State in 1997. UF also set a Sugar Bowl record with 646 total yards.

For the game, Tebow completed 31 of 35 passes and threw three touchdowns. He also rushed for a score. His 31 completions tied a Sugar Bowl record.

"Tim Tebow will go down as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, player in the history of college football," Meyer said. "I want to thank the most successful senior class in the history of the Southeastern Conference."

Gator Gameday at Sugar Bowl

The Gators end the season playing at New Orleans in the Sugar Bowl against the Cincy Bearcats Friday night at 8:30 pm. It will be the final game for Tim Tebow and Brandon Spikes as Gators. So we hope they will win big to show they are not distracted by the situation of Coach Urban Meyer.

Click to read the preview at ESPN.COM