gators start strong

[radbag]

Coach Urban Meyer said he saw a confused look from his team at halftime. It carried over to most of the second half. Luckily for the fourth-ranked Gators, they scored 49 first-half points and their shoddy play after the break was not of much consequence.

Sophomore quarterback Tim Tebow completed 18 of 25 passes for 236 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for two scores and had a game-high 93 rushing yards on 17 attempts as Florida defeated Troy, 59-31, Saturday in front of 90,244 at Florida Field.

In the first half, six Florida players scored touchdowns and the Gators scored on all seven possessions. Junior running back Kestahn Moore scored with 10:46 left in the first quarter from 1-yard out after redshirt sophomore Roderick Blackett blocked a punt and set Florida up first-and-goal from the 6-yard line.

Moore's second touchdown came four seconds into the second quarter. That score was also from 1-yard out and set up by a deflection on a punt by freshman Carlos Dunlap. On Florida's first play that series, Tebow hit redshirt junior tight end Cornelius Ingram for a 37-yard gain. Moore ran for nine yards to put the ball at the 1-yard line and then he punched it in for a 28-7 lead.

Moore finished with 78 yards and two scores on 15 carries. Ingram had seven receptions for 105 yards, both game highs, and he caught a 5-yard touchdown pass with 2:57 left in the second to make it 42-7. Fifth-year senior Andre Caldwell lined up at quarterback and ran 18 yards for a touchdown with 9:55 left before halftime to make it 35-7. Junior wide receiver Louis Murphy caught six passes for 78 yards.

"I like it because I hope it makes us hard to defend because you have so many different guys that can put the ball in the end zone," offensive coordinator Dan Mullen said. "It's also some of those guys are young guys. I'm pleased they're getting it in the end zone because that's building confidence for them for the future."

It wasn't all joy coming out of Florida's locker room, however. There are some injury concerns. Meyer said Caldwell has an MCL injury but the medical staff told him Caldwell should be able to play next week. He is expected to have an MRI. Sophomore Brandon James sprained his ankle and sophomore Jarred Fayson also needed to be attended to after a big pop on an option pitch. More should be known on their conditions Sunday. Florida's SEC opener is home against Tennessee Saturday afternoon.

Fayson scored on a 3-yard pass from Tebow with 22 seconds left before halftime to make it 49-7. Tebow scored his first touchdown with 4:52 remaining in the first on a 3-yard run. He added the game's final score with 2:50 left on a 16-yard scamper.

Sophomore Percy Harvin, who is battling tendonitis in his Achilles and knee, rushed four times for 56 yards. He also caught three passes for 42 yards and scored on a 4-yard pass from Tebow with 2:20 left in the first for a 14-7 lead.

Troy's lone touchdown in the first half came on its second possession. Senior quarterback Omar Haugabook ran 31 yards for the score with 7:55 left in the first to tie it at 7. Haugabook finished 10 of 18 for 81 yards and an interception in the first half. After halftime, it was a different story.

On Florida's first offensive play after the break, Caldwell fumbled and it was picked up by Troy cornerback Leodis McKelvin and returned 36 yards to the 4-yard line. Kicker Greg Whibbs connected on a 21-yard field goal to cut Florida's advantage to 49-10.

James, who had 127 yards on three kickoffs and 32 return yards on one punt, brought the ensuing kickoff back 36 yards and Florida started on the 42-yard line. The Gators went three-and-out and redshirt freshman safety Jamar Hornsby was called for interference on the punt.

The Trojans drove downfield and after an incidental facemask call on senior safety Tony Joiner set the ball second-and-goal from the 1-yard line, Haugabook sneaked in and Troy trimmed the lead to 49-17 with 9:49 left in the third.

On the next kickoff, freshman Chris Rainey returned it 39 yards but fumbled and it was picked up by Trevor Ford. Florida's defense stood its ground and Whibbs missed a 45-yard field goal attempt.

Things were still not going Florida's way. The Gators went three-and-out and Troy engineered another scoring drive. On a third-and-8, sophomore linebacker Dustin Doe was called for pass interference and two plays later Haugabook hit Tanner Jones on an 11-yard touchdown pass.

Florida ended up punting again and senior safety Kyle Jackson was called for interference. It was a series of miscues that in a close game could have been costly. Florida's first-half scoring barrage made Troy's rally inconsequential ? at least in terms of which team would win the game.

With 10:05 left, Florida kicker Joey Ijjas nailed a 32-yard field goal to make it 52-24. Haugabook hit wide receiver Austin Silvoy on a 26-yard touchdown pass with seven minutes left for Troy's final score.

Haugabook finished 29 of 52 passing for 283 yards, two touchdowns and a pick. Silvoy had five catches for 72 yards. He also caught an 11-yard TD pass with 2:52 left in the third to make it 49-24.

"I don't think anyone was letting up or worrying about what they're going to be doing after the game or anything like that," Tebow said. "It was mostly my fault. I'm the quarterback. I have to manage the offense and find a way to get first downs and I didn't do that. It's frustrating but I just have to go out there and play better in the second half."

Doe and sophomore linebacker Brandon Spikes each had nine tackles. Spikes recorded a sack and Doe recovered a fumble. Freshman Ahmad Black had five stops.

[G8rMom7]

Something interesting to think about...CI said in his interview after the game that if you don't make the most of your opportunities, you may not get another one...because they have so much friggin' talent, there are plenty of guys behind you that are playmakers. After Rainey's fumble, he is probably not going to see the ball again for a while. I LOVE that they are in this position.

[slideman67]

WTF happened to them in the second half????? It's like the team went to sleep. And the secondary is scaring me.....

I agree with you M7 - I'm glad we have that depth too.

[TheTodd]

I believe they will lose two games because of the defense. I am certain of it. @ LSU and possibly @ S Car. Maybe, for gods sake, UGA? Hopefully they will grow up quick but I'm not looking for miracles.

[G8rMom7]

Bill and I were discussing the D and he said if you're going to have inexperience on one side of the ball, its best that its the D. The D is reactionary which is easier to adjust to and learn. While the offense takes time to learn all the plays, reads, etc.

Todd, the Dawgs? Did you see them play USC?

As for the 3rd quarter, I think that was a normal reaction and hopefully a good learning. The D was explainable because they were playing a lot of new guys. The O just F'd up a lot.

Not that I think we're all world or anything, but our offense looks unstoppable when things are clicking. And we don't have to give up on our season if someone gets an injury.

[Toothy]

Not the Dawgs.

[apexgator]

I really thought the D was coming together after that impressive stand to open up the third quarter after Troy got the ball on our 4 yard line and held them to a fg.

[radbag]

lsu is our only loss and even THAT i am not overly afraid of.

agree w/al on georgia...they couldn't score on usce...we will.

i'd rather struggle early against the cupcakes and still be able to win than struggle with our rivals and NOT be in position to win...i believe urb is the master of adjustments and will make some come weeks when our competitors are stronger...i guess what i'm sayin is that i don't mind giving up 31 to troy if i know the staff'll have something to address and improve upon with utmost importance.