Perfect Ending

An emotional beginning ... followed by... well, you know. Urban described it...

"I'm not sure what perfect is," he said, "but that was a perfect night."

The first 12-0 regular season in Gators' history! Most excellent. And against the Noles, even more so. Another beatdown, six in a row, Tim had a great game, and Johnny B even got in the game. It was all you could ask for -- except maybe another 30 points (but the O&B did beat the spread). It seemed like the only thing that could keep the Gators from scoring was the sportsmanship not to.

If that game didn't win Tim the Heisman, the thing is rigged (yeah, it probably is anyway, but I hold out a scintilla of hope for that second statuette--when he doesn't win because the media hype throws it elsewhere, we shouldn't be upset... it's become a joke...like the Nobel now).

I know I skipped 2 games in sequence, but had to get something posted for this game--as the Pointer Sisters said long ago, "I'm So Excited...." What a great day for the Gators and, even better, a great day for the SEC. 3-0 against the Almost Competitive Conference, and some great SEC matchups to boot. I'm burnt.

I don't usually crib from the talking heads, but this is some good stuff from Pat Dooely in the Gainesville Sun (and there will be lots of pictures):

"...Tebow said. 'It has been a long day. I was telling (Riley Cooper) when we got on the bus it seems like everything is in slow motion today.'
No, that would be FSU's defense.
The Seminole defense cured pretty much everything that had been ailing the Florida offense this season. The big plays were back. The touchdowns were scored without an FSU hand touching the Gators who scored them.
And so it was a complete victory. The defense toyed with FSU's offense like a killer whale with a wounded seal."

. . . .
"We may never see anything like him [Tim] again. We may never see a class like this senior class. What was it Jermaine Cunningham said when he spoke to the team before the game? 'I'm living the dream.'"

A few more things were said about Tebow.

David Nelson (perhaps biased): "Tim is the best college player ever to play the game. All the credit he gets, I think he deserves even more."

Bobby Bowden (perhaps shellshocked): "It's like like playing against 12 people. He presents so many problems. Tim Tebow is a great player."

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At the end of the game Urban thanked the fans. "I want to thank the Gator fans for showing up pregame and sending off one of the greatest groups of players to come through Florida," Meyer said. And that they are....

The day we all dreaded came ... and went. This is Tim's final TD at the Swamp!

And a view of that play from the end zone.... You don't see any FSU jerseys in the photo because there weren't any nearby.

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Bring on the Tide!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

F-I-Ueeeeww

Golden Panthers? You're joking, right? Where's the SPCA when you need it?

The Gators looked like they wanted to make this endangered species extinct, with a crushing, score-at-will game that ended with Johnny B getting more touchdown passes than Super Tim. Not surprising, as he played almost as much as Tebow and the first string did. Of course, Tim got to show off his moves and his speed with a 55 yard run to pass Kevin Faulk for most all-time TDs scored in the SEC (54). With 3 games to go to add to that total...wow.

Maybe I can post some pictures later, or you can just go to Gatorzone and examine the damage.

Here come the 'Noles.....! Can't wait.

Bumper Sticker of the Week:

I read about the evils of drinking beer, so I gave up reading.

'Cocks Were Game

The uniforms were a bit of a shock (theirs, not ours) because they were all camo and had words describing the qualities of our servicemen on them instead of the players. An excellent tribute, I'd say, but they didn't hold up like our boys in Iraq did. Of course, the sandmen didn't see a defense like the Gators'. Some perspective, if you please, from the G'ville Sun before the game:

"Meyer threw out some impressive numbers at his weekly news conference.

'Twelve of our 17 interceptions have come in the second half,' Meyer said. 'Twenty of 29 sacks have come in the second half. We've held four SEC opponents to five yards or less rushing in the fourth quarter. Unbelievable. We have held five of 10 opponents to (less than) 100 total yards in the second half.

'In the last three games, rushing yardage (allowed) in the fourth quarter is minus-two, passing yards 39. Total yards given up in the fourth quarter, 37. That almost takes your breath away. When you see something like that, it just tells you about the relentless pursuit and play of our defense.'

The defense has never been more relentless (or impressive) this season than it was this past Saturday night at South Carolina.

In the fourth quarter, the defense intercepted two passes, sacked USC quarterback Stephen Garcia four times and held the Gamecocks to minus-20 yards of offense. USC managed only 41 total yards in the second half and had five three-and-outs."

One of those interceptions was by Justin Trattou, who would have scored but for some friendly fire...he tripped over Jermaine Cunningham who was trying to block.

Impressive win, if not overly dominant. I think the Gators have what it takes to get to the Championship game, if only they don't lose sight of it.

Bumper Sticker of the Week:

If I agreed with you, then we'd both be wrong.

And then there were four...

Here's a lovely shot of the Atlanta branch enjoying the new addition. What a beautiful little clan. Both of the boys are such miracle babies (for different reasons)--it renews one's faith to see it.

Bryce is only 7 weeks old! Whoa....can we say gianormous? Those cheeks....must contain a day's rations.

Looks like the odds on him being a lineman are pretty good. Mt. Loescher? First offensive tackle to win the Heisman?

Can't wait to see him (and all the rest, of course) this coming weekend.

P.S. Damn, that Tracy is so photogenic! Always has been. Especially now in the full bloom of her womanhood. Pete is one lucky man.

Bored by the 'Dores

Vanderbilt always plays the Gators tough, but who knew they would hold us to 148 yards rushing!?!? And get 99 yards of their own with a new/old quarterback? But they did. Still, they got no touchdown....the Gator defense has allowed 6 touchdowns in 9 games, and one of those started close to the goal line (at the UF 31 in the Arkansas game). That's pretty damn impressive.



Ve vill CRUSH you...








Got nowhere to run to, ba-by, nowhere to hide...

Come here, you...now we spank you, yes?

And the linebacking corps got another interception (sorry, Mr. Spikes, none for you--they didn't throw it to the sidelines).

OFFENSE:

Passing was a bit better for us, 227 vs their 100 yards. Tebow was 15 of 20 for better than 200.

Is the passing game back? We hope. We wish. Time will tell.

Hernandez had a career night with 7 catches for a buck-20.

Nelson caught a touchdown pass. Yeah, David! Even better because Cooper let it go right through his hands at the goal line.

Rainey played well again, though Moody was second in rushing.

Chris almost got another punt block, but the guy got away.

Timmy played his usual tough game--this pretty much sums it up...

I

Individual stats were decent in this game. Besides the passing, the highlight of the game was the punting--go figure--3 punts for a 52.8 yard average. Wow. The bad news is that Henry kicked it so far Vandy got 13 return yards on us, to bring our net total for the year to 8 yards. For the year... in 9 games. Stunning.

And the Bumper Sticker of the Week:

...now where did I put that...?

Sweet Georgia Beatdown

A A A AGATORBAIT!!!!!!

To quote the Great One, How sweet it is!!

Not only to get a victory in a heated rivalry, but to win convincingly with both offense and defense (and special teams) gets the Gators back on track. The fact that Tim broke Herschel's record for rushing touchdowns was a bit of a cherry on top. I knew he would get the go-ahead TD in this game when he couldn't get it last week at MSU. I'm glad he waited--it was so utterly perfect to have a long run against the Dawgs for that special score. I was yelling and jumping, I was amped. As one of the worst actors of all time is famous for saying ...Ex-cellent!

The defense stepped up big-time AGAIN. The pass defense was Spectacular (with a capital S). On top of the 4 interceptions by the linebacking corps, CBs Janoris Jenkins and Joe Haden held star receiver A. J. Green to three catches and 50 yards. Let's see now, that's

A J Green, superstar receiver:: 3 catches, 1 touch w/o catch (became a UF interception)
UF defense, peerless warriors: 4 catches, 3 touches w/o catch (knocked down or deflected)

NOTE: In two games this season, LSU and UGA, the corners have held 3 NFL quality receivers who were burning up the stat sheets to a total of 3 catches and 36 yards apiece. Un-freaking-believable. And they are a junior and a sophmore. Let's see Eric Berry do that!

Not to be outdone, the run defense held Georgia's best runner, Washaun Ealey, to 70 yards and the entire team to 121 yards (counting sacks--146 if you don't figure those in). This is the defense that has held opposing "star" runners to an average of under 70 yards per game over 6 games, and allowed only 617 total rush yards in the SEC campaign so far (729 if you don't count sacks as losses--they aren't really rushes). The only player to go over 100 yards was Dennis Johnson in the Arkansas game with 107 (and 42 of those came on one play). And it will likely get better with 2 more conference games against poor rushing teams! Might it be possible to finish the regular season allowing under 1,000 yards rushing? Wow.

In this game, the special teams were truly special--Sturgis’ 56 yard field goal was an NFL caliber kick. The Gators still have not allowed a positive punt return yard this season. Brandon Boykin was held in check on kickoffs, gaining 114 yards on six returns. (That's an average of less than 20 yards per return--on kickoffs? That's unheard of.)

Cade Holliday's tackle at the 16 yard line was unbelievable! Fight off the block, spin out and knock down the Boychild...priceless.


Chas Henry had two punts downed inside the 10. One was a 61-yarder! And, once again, zero return yardage. How special is that?

But the day was made by the offensive eruption. Defense wins games, but offense is what puts butts in the seats. And Timmy and company found themselves with a vengence. Two quick TDs were just what the doctor ordered to get the Orange and Blue out of its blue funk. The first one to Cooper was a thing of beauty, a perfect pass from Tebow. The second was even better. A perfect throw against perfect defense (Boykin again) ended in a perfect catch by Cooper. Result: 14-0 Gator lead.

Lets' see--one hand for you, one hand for the ball...yeah, that should do it.


The Bulldogs did manage to claw back to a 14-10 standoff, which then became 17-10. As the half wound down, though, it was time for the fireworks. I had worried that the Bulldogs would get tough when we got inside the 10, not wanting Tim Terrific to surpass the Holy Herschel. As the Gators drove the field as halftime loomed, I was resigned to another field goal. Third and 3 with under 2 minutes to go at the 23 yard line. Tim just wanted to get a first down (he said), and got the call. A fake right, a cutback into the line, and it was all over. TOUCHDOWN! New Record! 24-10. Perfect. Just like the Gators so far.



Outta my way, puppy, I'm heading for the record!






Tim back to being the Heisman favorite? Of course.





The UGlies got the ball after the half and were desperate to make something happen. OK, let's do it. A. J. Jones bullrushed Cox on what looked like a screen play, and Whap! tipped the pass up in the air, blew by Cox and snagged it just above the ground. As they say, The Crowd Went Wild.



A thing of beauty!




Shortly thereafter, Tim ran in a 5 yard TD to put the game out of reach. Sure, there was some more scoring, but the game was effectively over early in the third quarter. Still time for 3 more Gator interceptions, including a beautiful pick 6 by Spikes. And Stamper got his first one, especially sweet as it came after Green bobbled the ball (and got clobbered by Major Wright--reminded me of the Championship game last year!).

Facts to warm a Gator's heart: Florida is now 17-3 over Georgia over the past 20 years and has outscored the Bulldogs 90-27 in the last two contests.




The bad news...Chris Rainey went out with a shoulder injury. Could be trouble going forward.


Date of note: November 1, the fourth anniversary of Grossi's death. Doesn't seem that long ago.... a moment of silence please.

Last but not least, the Bumper Sticker of the Week--in keeping with the spirit of the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party (as it once was)


Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.