Sophomore Percy Harvin electrified a Ben Hill Griffin Stadium crowd of 90,222, as Florida defeated Vanderbilt 49-22 on Homecoming weekend.  Harvin had 11 carries for 113 yards with two touchdowns and nine receptions for 110 yards, marking the first time in school history that a player rushed and received for more than 100 yards in a single game. 

Quarterback Tim Tebow (Jacksonville, Fla.) set a new Southeastern Conference record for most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in a season with 14, also tying Emmitt Smith and Buford Long for the school record for most rushing touchdowns in a season. Tebow finished the game 22 of 27 for 281 yards and three touchdowns.  He rushed for 35 yards on six carries with two touchdowns. 

Senior wide receiver Andre Caldwell had a career-high nine receptions for 103 yards and two touchdowns. 

The Gators opened the scoring with 8:22 remaining in the first quarter on a 1-yard touchdown run by quarterback Tim Tebow.  The eight-play, 82-yard drive was highlighted by a 40-yard reception by junior wide receiver Louis Murphy (St. Petersburg, Fla.) A successful point after attempt by senior kicker Joey Ijjas (Clearwater, Fla.) gave the Gators a 7-0 lead.

The Gators’ next drive took only 44 seconds and two plays, set up by a 53-yard punt return by sophomore running back Brandon James (St. Augustine, Fla.), and culminated by a 21-yard reception and 18-yard touchdown run by Harvin. 

Vanderbilt took control of the ball on the Gators 21 yard line to open up the second quarter after Ijjas failed to connect on a 28-yard field goal attempt.  The Commodores narrowed the Gators lead, 14-7, with 11:00 remaining in the half on a one-yard rush by quarterback Mackenzi Adams.

The Gators answered quickly with a 76-yard, five-play scoring drive ending with an 11-yard touchdown reception by sophomore wide receiver Jarred Fayson (Tampa, Fla.)  The Orange and Blue offense was back on the field within minutes after sophomore linebacker Brandon Spikes (Shelby, N.C.) deflected Adams’ pass and sophomore defensive end Jermaine Cunningham (Stone Mountain, Ga.) intercepted and returned it for 18 yards, giving the Gators possession on Vanderbilt’s 16-yard line.  Tebow connected with Harvin for an 12-yard gain on the first play of the possession and then Caldwell for a four-yard touchdown pass. The Gators led, 28-7, with 6:28 remaining in the half.   

After the tenacious Gator defense forced the Commodores to punt on their following possession, the Gator offense took the field for the remaining minutes of the half.  Tebow and Caldwell combined for the second-consecutive touchdown for the Orange and Blue with a 14-yard touchdown reception with :37 remaining in the half.  The Gators brought a balanced attack of rushing and passing in the 84-yard, 12-play scoring drive giving the Gators a 35-7 lead heading into the locker room at the half.

Vanderbilt was first to strike in the second half.  The Gator defense held the Commodores to three points after kicker Bryant Hahnfeldt converted on a 33-yard field goal attempt bringing the score to 35-10 with 9:58 remaining in the second quarter. 

After two scoreless possessions by the Gators and one by Vanderbilt, the Gators regained control of the ball when James recovered a Vanderbilt fumble off of a punt by freshman punter Chas Henry (Dallas, Ga.).  After Tebow carried the ball for an 11-yard gain, he capped the drive with a one-yard touchdown rush to give the Gators a 42-10 lead with 4:16 left in the third quarter. 

Vanderbilt narrowed the margin, 42-16, with 13:46 remaining in the game following a one-yard touchdown carry by Adams.  The Commodores failed on the extra point attempt after the pass was intercepted by Spikes.

The Gators had great field position on their next possession thanks to a 52-yard kickoff return by James.  Following a 22-yard gain by Tebow and a six-yard reception by Caldwell, Harvin followed with a five-yard carry and added a quick six off a 13-yard touchdown carry.  Ijjas’ successful point after extended the Gators lead to 49-16 with 12:05 left in the game. 

Freshman quarterback Cameron Newton (College Park, Ga.) took over for Tebow with less than seven minutes remaining in the game.  Darlron Spead recovered a Newton fumble and ran it 36 yards for a touchdown.  The touchdown was the last score of the game, finalizing the score in favor of the Gators, 49-22.   

The Gators will return to action next Saturday, Nov. 10, when they travel to Columbus to a 7:45 p.m. meeting at Southeastern Conference opponent South Carolina. The game will air nationally on ESPN.

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