MIAMI - Florida quarterback Tim Tebow almost threw a national championship away in the first half Thursday night at Dolphin Stadium. He took it back with a vengeance in the second half.
The first half was an aberration. The second was vintage Tebow.
He mixed power with finesse in directing three Florida second-half touchdown drives as the Gators won their second national championship in three years with a 24-14 victory over Oklahoma.
No one should have been surprised by Tebow's turnaround.
Way back in September after Florida lost to Ole Miss, Tebow blamed himself for the loss and vowed to spend the rest of the season making up for it. The Gators followed his lead, winning an SEC-record six consecutive conference games by 28 points or more.
Tebow bounced back again Thursday night. So did his team.
After throwing only two interceptions in the first 13 games, Tebow threw two in the first half against the Sooners. He spent the rest of the second half making up for it.
In fact, he played like a freshman. And, as Florida fans will tell you, there's nothing wrong with that.
When Florida won the 2006 national championship, Tebow established himself as a power-running specialist. Passing was secondary.
He reverted to that role on Florida's second possession of the second half.
Tebow led a 13-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. And when it mattered most, he led with his helmet.
He ran six times for 48 yards. He repeatedly broke tackles in converting three first downs. On one carry, he charged into a thicket of three Sooners, budging them just enough for another precious two yards.
"He's one of those guys you give him your best shot, he's going to get right back up," said Nic Harris, Oklahoma's hard-hitting, 230-pound safety.
When Tebow got back up, he lifted his entire offense. Florida's defense did the rest.
The Gators held one of the highest-scoring teams in college football history to 40 points under his average. It covered Oklahoma's wide receivers man-on-man, pressured quarterback Sam Bradford just enough to make him uncomfortable, made two first-half goal-line stands and blocked a second-half field-goal attempt.
But all of that defense wouldn't have been enough without Tebow's second-half about-face. He didn't do it on brute force alone.
Tebow, who was named the offensive MVP of the game, completed two clutch, third-down passes on Florida's game-clinching touchdown drive in the third quarter. In addition to the third-down completions, Tebow hooked up with David Nelson for a 29-yard gain to the Oklahoma 20.
Another Tebow-to-Nelson connection capped the drive. The play was right out of Tebow's freshman playbook.
On second down from Oklahoma's 4-yard-line, Tebow ducked his head as though another bull-like rush was coming, then jumped and threw a pass to Nelson for a touchdown. Tebow executed a similar play two years ago in Florida's crucial victory over LSU.
Since then, Florida has won two national titles and Tebow has won a Heisman Trophy. But for all of Tebow's accomplishments, you couldn't blame Florida fans for being greedy.
"One more year," they chanted at game's end.
And one more year from Tebow likely would mean one more championship for Florida.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 26
1982_35_28 writes:
Hats off to Tebow. This gator team is below average without Tebow and Harvin. Was it just me or did the sooners appear to be the better all around team? Better prepared, more focused and more disciplined.
rockitwithrespect writes:
i hope teaba, i mean tebow goes pro. im tired of the media love fest with this kid. adams wants to know timmy in the biblical sense.
GO VOLS!!
jobrando#216494 writes:
Let's hope he is finally gone.
vol88 writes:
Do you get mad at USA Today for covering international news, too?
CoverOrange writes:
Mr. Adams, did you nod off in the first quarter? Florida only scored two TDs in the second half. The first TD was in the first half. A drive for a FG may look like a TD drive but it is not.
Tebow will be back. He loves the college game and UF like Manning did UT. And I don't think money is a primary driver in his life.
ggriggs939#223122 writes:
Based on the game last night, bradford might have been the 3rd or 4th best qb in the sec his high numbers are based on his performance against the low grade competition in the "big' 12 and his winning the popularity contest was to protect the big 10's two time winner.
The only consistency the contest committee has is in its ability to be inconsistent.
GoVols_16 writes:
Guys,
Here's the deal. Meyer is doing at Florida what everyone said he COULDN'T do--running the spread w/ effectiveness in the SEC. We're all jealous. I'M jealous of it, but he is an EXCELLENT coach. They are also well coached at every position. (Here's to hoping the Vols will see some of that in the next few years).
That being said, Tim Tebow is everything that is right about sports. He is a vicious competitor, but he is also a good sport and a remarkable Christian.
I can't believe I'm saying this, but I was absolutely giddy when the Gators won last night!!
The solace that I take from all of the Gators' National Championships is that all of those teams have been led by outspoken, godly Christian QBs who are not afraid to witness for Jesus.
Besides, Meyer is not as much of a jerk as Spurrier.
jkendall#231407 writes:
Tim Tebow took over the game in the 3rd qtr.
Agree, Bradford about 3rd or 4th best qb in the SEC. It was mentioned the Gator d was best OK had faced all year - TCU was the next best D.
Put TX, OK, FL etc on Utah's schedule and they would all be 11-0 regular season. Utah just doesent have the tough regular season schedule as the SEC Big 12 etc - less injuries, beat up players than the others over the season.
wtvol writes:
My sentiments exactly. It is quite refreshing to see a young person who is not ashamed of his Christian upbringing.
Jeremy7679 writes:
"three Florida second-half touchdown drives"
Florida only scored two touchdowns in the second half.
John Adams sucks.
volwalk writes:
ALthough I think Bradford is a great quarterback, there is no way that I would pick him above Tim Tebow if i'm an NFL franchise. Yes, I know the FL qbs haven't done to well in the pros but I think this guy is different. "I can do all things through Christ Jesus, who strengthens me."Phil.4:13 This may be the clue behind the young man's strength and drive. Even though he is a gator, I would love to see my two sons immulate?? this great kid.
uwishuwereassmartasme (Inactive) writes:
You are an idiot if you think that Bradford would be only the 3rd or 4th best QB in the SEC. Every one of his throws, including the 2 ints, were right on the money.
Go4Two writes:
Tebow will return Mel K has him projected 3rd or 4th round. No need to come out If you will be drafted that late.
nowwalking writes:
Tim Tebow is a CLASS ACT SUPER HUMAN being with a WONDERFUL reputation ON AND OFF THE FIELD! HOORAY for all his accomplishments. If MORE "ATHLETICS" would follow his example then things would be much better and cut out a lot of your JEALOUSY! EVERYTHING does NOT revolve around the Tennesse VOLS! I am a VOL fan but it is also ok to say nice things about other schools and players!
ethanfrome writes:
Urban Meyer is an amazing coach. I don't think he is a jerk like everyone says. I think that he is of a newer, different mold than the coaches who play by "old school" mores. He runs the score up on people because he knows that it makes a difference in the voter's minds in the end. He is there to win, not be nice.
I am so proud of the SEC. 14 points! What happened to 60 or 70? This shows who the best conference is, even in a down year.
DadwasaVol writes:
Yes, probably. This Florida championship is all Adams' and Fulmer's fault.
rep88 writes:
As a life long vol fan it makes me sick to say it but tebow is prob the best college player ive ever seen. If he comes back prob will win another heisman and nc. That would put him up there on an elite level. But with that said go vols and i love what the new staff is duing in recruiting
invisiblekid writes:
Think I just exceeded the recommended dosage of Tebow after last night and scanning this article. Tebow is one of the top 5 players in SEC history IMO but enough is enough. I am sure the rest of the SEC felt the same way about Manning though.
SemperVol writes:
"...if you're fortunate enough to spend five minutes or 20 minutes around Tim Tebow, your life is better for it,"
(Brennaman stated in a rather muffled voice, as if some object were ....nah, I won't go there... BUT YOU JUST DID! HA!!)
rabidvol1998 writes:
Tebow should go Pro;
1. He has nothing left to prove.
2. He doesn't need to "get better"
3. He could use his big bucks for some of his good samaritan activities.
4. Give the rest of us a chance.
kman29 writes:
Below average? yeah your right because it was Tebow and Harvin who held the great Oklahoma offense to 14 points. A below average team is
floridavolsfan writes:
Tebow was accountable after the loss to Ol Miss-unlike the huge lack of accountability on the hill! Starts at the top---Fla. AD Foley compensates for performace...Mike Hamilton pays outragous salaries just for showing up for work!! Until that changes nothing else will change--so Vol fans "hunker down"
floridavolsfan writes:
No--Manning never won a heisman or a National championship! Manning was a good ncaa player--Tebow is great!!-Check the scoreboard and trophy case!
floridavolsfan writes:
Amen!!!! Brother..
invisiblekid writes:
Manning got just as much exposure in the press in his day and that is what I was alluding to. Thanks for the update though, I wasn't aware that Manning never won those things.
Slystone writes:
Here's to Tebow and the Detroit Lions, may they live happily ever after.
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.