Interception helps Gators torment Spurrier

COLUMBIA, S.C. - As he watched South Carolina inch closer to a go-ahead score in the fourth quarter, Florida coach Urban Meyer knew it was time for one of his Gators to make a play.

Defensive end Justin Trattou was more than ready.

Trattou made a game-changing interception and No. 1 Florida finished a perfect regular season in the SEC with a 24-14 victory over South Carolina on Saturday.

Tim Tebow tied the SEC career touchdown mark and Florida (10-0, 8-0 SEC) went undefeated in the league for the first time since Steve Spurrier's 1996 national champions.

"Every week, someone has to step up. It's usually someone different every week," said Trattou, a junior playing with a painful torn left biceps.

Gamecocks quarterback Stephen Garcia had closed the third quarter when he cut back around two pursuers to pick up a first down on fourth-and-2. South Carolina (6-5, 3-5) eventually got to the Gators' 22, trailing 17-14 and ready to strike.

But Garcia's pass was tipped and wound up in Trattou's hand. The 6-foot-3, 265-pounder ran along the sidelines as a wall of Florida defenders lined up to block during the 53-yard return.

"He looked kind of athletic there," Tebow joked of Trattou.

Four plays later, Tebow made South Carolina pay with a 1-yard TD run that matched LSU great Kevin Faulk for most in the SEC at 53.

Trattou plays and practices with an injury most people would spend weeks rehabbing. He told Meyer after it happened in October that unless he needed surgery, he'd continue playing.

"If it's a matter of dealing with a little pain here and there, it's not going to keep me out," Trattou said.

The Gators remained on track for a third national title in four years. They again called on their SEC-leading defense to save things against Spurrier, who looked as if he'd figured out a few cracks in Florida's front line.

By the end, Spurrier could only throw off his headset in frustration at another close call against his former school.

Ahead 24-14 after Tebow's score, Florida's defense got after the Gamecocks. The Gators sacked Garcia four times in the fourth quarter. Joe Haden's interception with two minutes left sealed Florida's 20th consecutive victory - and fourth in a row over its former head ball coach.

"That turnover took a lot of steam" out of the Gamecocks, Spurrier said. "Give Florida credit. They played pretty well."

Meyer was simply happy to leave with a victory.

"We did not play perfect. I'm not sure we've played perfect in a while," he said. "But that's 20 in a row and I'm awful proud of the guys in there."