Gator defense shines again in victory over South Carolina
Justin Trattou races 53 yards after intercepting Stephen Garcia early in the fourth quarter.
Early in the fourth quarter, with South Carolina at the Gator 22 trailing 17-14, the Gator defense made another game changing and possibly game saving play. South Carolina Quarterback Stephen Garcia dropped back and fired a quick slant out to the left. The ball was tipped at the line and was intercepted by defensive end Justin Trattou. Trattou raced 53 yards, deep into South Carolina territory. Four plays later, Tim Tebow punched in from 1-yard out, and the Gators now had a 24-14 lead.
From here, the Gators got after Garcia, sacking him four times in the fourth quarter and intercepting him with a few minutes left in the game.
A game that appeared to be in question in the fourth quarter turned into another victory due to the Gator defense.
On the Gators first possession, Tim Tebow found Riley Cooper on a slant that Cooper took 68 yards to the house. South Carolina would answer with an impressive 14 play drive, capped by Brian Maddox’s 1-yard touchdown run.
The Gators regained the lead on their next possession, as Caleb Sturgis was good from 32 yards. After a South Carolina punt, the Gator offense drove deep into South Carolina territory, scoring on a 17-yard run by Emmanuel Moody.
After a a 9-yard touchdown pass to Weslye Saunders right before the half made the score 17-14, the Gator offense bogged down and South Carolina had significant momentum. However, as they have multiple times this season, the Gator defense was stout in the second half, allowing zero points.
Notes
The Gators have clinched a perfect SEC regular season record at 8-0. This is the first time they have accomplished this since 1996, when Steve Spurrier lead the Gators to their first National Championship.
With his 1-yard run in the 4th quarter, Tim Tebow tied Kevin Faulk’s SEC career touchdown record at 53.
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