Given. Their first offensive possession totaled 91 yards and consumed nearly 7 minutes off of the game clock. The game was then tied 1717 at only the 10:30 mark in the third quarter. [31], The Gators faced off against the Bulldogs in the annual rivalry taking place in Jacksonville, Florida. Although Florida wasn't able to capitalize on the turnover, LSU turned the ball over on their next possession with a Charles Scott fumble recovered by Gator AJ Jones. [29], The Gators opened the game strong with 28 points scored in the first quarter. After Florida's defense stopping Miami once again, Florida's offense was able to put together another long scoring drive; this one a 95-yard drive taking only 1:34 ending on a 19-yard Tim Tebow touchdown pass to Louis Murphy. Percy Harvin led the Gators on the ground with 122 rushing yards followed by Tim Tebow with 109. Offensive woes continued for both sides as neither team was able to score points. 3 UF Cruises Past No. The Gators, however, were able to score another touchdown with an 81-yard drive capped off with a Tim Tebow 1-yard rushing touchdown, his first of the season. The Gators scored on defense with a Brandon Spikes interception-returned touchdown 12 seconds into the fourth quarter building a 4114 lead. The Gator defense continued to perform well as defensive standout Carlos Dunlap, the season leader in sacks, sacked Citadel's Cam Turner, forcing the Bulldogs to punt. In response, the Sooners put together a drive initiated with three running plays by RB Chris Brown totaling 45 yards. The Gators competed in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), and played their home games in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on the university's Gainesville, Florida, campus. Ole Miss's starting quarterback Jevan Snead, a transfer from the University of Texas, had committed to play for the Gators prior to the 2006 season before decommitting. This game marked the fourth and final regular season contest in which the Gators faced a team led by a national championship-winning head coach. Offered WR - Kyron Henderson (@kyronhenderson1 . In the previous season, he had at least one rushing touchdown and one passing touchdown in all 13 games (14 game streak dating to 2007 BCS National Championship Game). This was the Florida Gator's eighth officially recognized title with the first occurring in 1991 before the formation of the Championship Game. After a three and out forced by the Florida defense, the Gators were able to score again, but only with their first field goal of the game. Kentucky's following drive brought them within 5 yards of a touchdown. This set up the Rebels in excellent field position at the Florida 34-yard line. The Gators' defense forced six Hawaii turnovers and held Hawaii's offense to only 241 yards. [40], Florida received the ball in the second half and on the first offensive play for the Gators, Percy Harvin ran the ball 80 yards for a touchdown. . The last time this occurred was on October 20, 1990, when the 1989 champions University of Miami played the 1988 champions Notre Dame. This was only the fourth time in college football history that two Heisman winners faced one another. Florida's turnover woes continued shortly after the Rebels' kickoff when Tim Tebow fumbled the ball at the Gators' 18-yard line. The Gators' first offensive possession ended in just 8 plays similar to the Sooners', but this one finishing on a Tim Tebow interception. The second quarter featured scores by the Gators on offense, defense, and special teams. He was quoted as saying "I wanted to make sure we left this game with our hearts on the field." With the ball in the hands of the Florida offense, the Gators had the opportunity to take a two-score lead with a touchdown. Miami entered this game with a six-game winning streak and came in leading the series 2825. Run the Race (2018) Tanner Stine as Zach Truett. [23], Arkansas received the kickoff to start the game and put together a 44-yard drive before failing to convert a fourth and 4 with a sack by Gator defensive standout Carlos Dunlap. Those were to the Boise State Broncos in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl and the West Virginia Mountaineers in the 2008 Fiesta Bowl. The Hawks return to Barron Stadium Thursday night to face Delta State. Coming into the game, Coach Bowden's record was 17-16-2. Zach Truett (Tanner Stine) is an up-and-coming football star, piling up multiple touchdowns every game and crossing his fingers that a college scout preferably from the Florida Gators is about to come knocking with a scholarship. This set the Seminoles in the red zone having the ball at the Florida 14-yard line. Sewell was selected four times to the National League All-Star team (1943-1946) and is credited with inventing the "Eephus pitch." They were led by fourth-year head coach Urban Meyer. 5 min amrap25 front squats @18525 lateral burpee over barAmrap front squats @185 Scored- 21 The Gators were able to regain the lead after a Tim Tebow touchdown pass to junior WR David Nelson. Near the end of the 3rd quarter, sophomore quarterback Cam Newton stood in for Tim Tebow and put together a drive capped off with a 1-yard QB rushing TD. . The Gators took a knee to close out the half tied 77. Throughout the film, Dave and Zach Truett learn to cope with reality after their mother's tragic death and their father's ongoing alcoholism. Dave Truitt College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits | College Football at Sports-Reference.com We would love your feedback! Florida State was able to establish excellent field position by returning a Caleb Sturgis kickoff to the Florida 24-yard line. After having to settle for another field goal attempt, Georgia kicker Blair Walsh missed his second of the game. This TD brought the score to 350 with over 13 minutes remaining in the half. Arkansas entered the game coming off of a loss to then-#7 ranked Texas at Texas by a score of 5210. Timeline Highlights About. Florida responded with a 39-yard field goal. On the ensuing drive, Florida tied the game with a 19-yard field goal after getting as close as the 2-yard line. Make Donation Anonymously: Support a Participant However, Florida's true freshman cornerback Janoris Jenkins intercepted a pass preventing any Tennessee points and shut out Tennessee in the first half. On the resulting Gator possession, a scoring drive was capped with a Tim Tebow 2-yard shuffle pass to Brandon James resulting in a touchdown. Harvin was able to rush from two yards out and score a TD, putting the Gators up 147. [48], The second half opened with a Florida State turnover as their woes continued on offense with Florida's defense continuing to force mistakes. This gave the Tide the first lead of the game, 107, and this was the Gators' first time trailing in the first quarter since their loss at home to Ole Miss earlier in the season. Florida's last win over the Tide in the title game occurred in the 1996 SEC Championship Game where the Gators would end up playing Florida State in the Sugar Bowl and go on to win their first national championship. Florida's defense continued to keep Kentucky out of scoring position allowing the Gators to pile on the points. The Gators received the ball in the second half and were unable to score on their opening drive. Entering into the fourth quarter, Florida led 560. [57], The Sooners had scored an average of over 50 points per game and the Gators over 40 points per game, but neither was able to put points on the board. Carolina's and Florida's offensives woes continued in each of their next drives, with a South Carolina QB Chris Smelley pass being intercepted and returned for a touchdown by Brandon Spikes. This brought the halftime score to 496. After failed offensive drives for both teams, South Carolina was able to put together enough of an offense to attempt, and make, a field goal. The Gators entered the game with a 21-game winning streak against the Wildcats. True freshman cornerback Janoris Jenkins picked off a Bart Blanchard pass and took it into Bulldogs territory. Oklahoma was able to put together another quick scoring drive. [56], After winning the coin toss, the Oklahoma Sooners elected to receive the ball and put the Gators on defense to start the game. As the two brothers spur one another on, they each have powerful encounters with God. Tim Tebow connected with WR Percy Harvin on a 43-yard touchdown pass giving the Gators a 107 lead with 12:26 remaining in the second quarter. Redshirt freshman QB John Brantley took snaps for Tim Tebow to close out the game and the Florida defense continued to stop Florida State with sacks on the final two FSU offensive possessions by Carlos Dunlap and Jaye Howard. $365. 8 followers. Two drives ended the first half and second half and the Gators punted the ball only once. His 5th, and team-leading, interception of the season. After forcing a punt, the Seminoles regained possession, but put the ball back in Florida's hands. After having obtained possession with 4:34 left in the third, Jevan Snead and Ole Miss put together a 3:42 drive that went 72 yards down the field resulting in a rushing touchdown by RB Dexter McCluster. Matthew Stafford's turnovers continued with back-to-back interceptions by Gator linebacker Dustin Doe and Gator DB Ahmad Black. After a 25-yard kickoff return by Brandon James, Florida put together a 49-yard drive ending with touchdown off of a Tim Tebow rush, tying the game at 24 a piece. This tied the game at 10-10. 1 in the AP Poll and the Coaches' Poll. The Gators were tied for second with only 11 turnovers. [2] They closed out the season with a 4135 loss to Michigan in the 2008 Capital One Bowl on January 1, 2008. Instead, he focuses his energy on football, but when a knee injury stops him from playing, he is forced to make a choice between being consumed by his anger or allowing God to soften his heart. It took only 7 plays for Tim Tebow to cap the drive with a 1-yard rushing touchdown, bringing the score to 143. The Florida defense wasn't as effective on the second Alabama possession as Alabama true freshman WR Julio Jones made a 64-yard reception ending at the Florida 18-yard line. 1 Alabama", "Gator Ticket Office Announces Ticket Ordering Information for BCS National Championship Football Game", "Despite getting the most first-place votes, Tim Tebow finishes third in Heisman voting", "Steve Addazio Named UF's Offensive Coordinator", "Florida Gators vs. Oklahoma Sooners Play-by-Play, January 8, 2009", "Florida Gators vs. Oklahoma Sooners Box Score, January 8, 2009", "Florida Tops Oklahoma, 24-14, to Capture 2008 BCS National Championship", "Tebow will remain at Florida for senior year", "Florida-Oklahoma Title Bout Concludes FOX's Most-Watched BCS Game Ever", "2008 AP All-SEC Football Team Announced", "Football has four selected to Coaches' Freshman All-SEC Team", "Tebow Takes Home Maxwell & Disney Spirit Awards", "2008 Walter Camp All-American Team Announced", "Tebow named 2008 Wuerffel Trophy Winner", "Tebow Selected As Finalist For Heisman Trophy", University Athletic Field / Fleming Field, College football national champions (championship game era), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2008_Florida_Gators_football_team&oldid=1137575851, 2008 Southeastern Conference football season, Southeastern Conference football champion seasons, Articles with dead external links from May 2016, Articles with dead external links from October 2010, Short description is different from Wikidata, Pages using CFB schedule with named parameters, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Carl Moore 3-yard touchdown reception from, Jonathan Phillips 27yard field goal (6 plays, 68 yards in 1:28), David Nelson 4yard pass from Tim Tebow (Jonathan Phillips kick) (11 plays, 76 yards in 6:52), $ BCS representative as conference champion. On the fourth play of the drive from midfield, Sam Bradford threw a deep pass intended for teammate Juaquin Iglesias, but just as Iglesias got his hands on the ball, Gator DB Ahmad Black pulled it away for the interception. Sources: 2012 Florida Gators Football Media Guide,[3] GatorZone.com[4], The Florida Gators opened the season against the Hawaii Warriors. The Volunteers had their second fumble, which was recovered by Gators defensive lineman Carlos Dunlap, and led to another Florida field goal extending the lead to 200. The film chronicles the lives of brothers Dave and Zach Truett, played by actors Evan Hofer and Tanner Stine. On a 2nd and Goal at the Oklahoma 4-yard line, Tim Tebow threw for his second TD pass of the gamethis time on a jump pass to junior WR David Nelson. The last meeting between these two teams took place in the Swamp in 2007 with the Gators defeating the Seminoles 4512. The Gators started on offense in the fourth quarter and drive deep into Alabama territory. Tim Tebow's final touchdown of the day was a 31-yard pass to redshirt freshman Deonte Thompson. In the 1999 SEC Championship Game, the Crimson Tide defeated the Gators with a score of 34 to 7. Turnovers continued with Georgia after Knowshon Moreno fumbled the ball, which was picked up by Florida DT Terron Sanders. Florida responded with a drive that took less than four minutes and topped off with a 38-yard Jeff Demps rushing touchdown. Tennessee was able to get points on the board on the following drive. Apr 17, 2022. slugboy. This win extending Florida's winning streak over the Seminoles to five dating back to the 2004 win in Tallahassee. 23 Florida State", "Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Florida Gators Play-by-Play, December 6, 2008", "No. Zach Truett is a high school quarterback with a big smile and a strong arm. 2008 Florida Gators Roster | College Football at Sports-Reference.com via Sports Logos.net About logos 2008 Florida Gators Roster Previous Year Next Year Record: 13-1 (2nd of 119) ( Schedule & Results ) Rank: 1st in the Final AP poll Conference: SEC (East Division) Conference Record: 7-1 Coach: Urban Meyer (13-1) Points For: 611 To close out the third quarter, Alabama was able to get the ball into Florida territory where they attempted, and made, a 27-yard field goal. Alabama's response on the following drive was quickly quieted. POTATOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO . With 1:04 remaining in the 3rd quarter, Vanderbilt prevented a shutout and scored a touchdown with a Nickson pass. The next Gator offensive possession featured the first touchdown pass of the season by Heisman-winner Tim Tebow. Starting 68 yards away from the end zone, Florida scored a touchdown in less than 2 minutes with Percy Harvin running in from 15 yards for the score. The attempted 2-point conversion failed cutting Florida's lead to 21. [57], The Sooners received the ball to open the fourth quarter after forcing a punt by Florida at the end of the third quarter. The Gators finished the season ranked No. After the turnover on downs, the Gators ran out the clock, thus winning the BCS Championship. The former NFL star and best-selling author has now teamed up with his brother Robby Tebow to produce a powerful story about finding hope and strength - the first film project for these two new executive producers. This one ended with a 1-yard rushing TD by Florida defensive tackle Javier Estopinan, extending the lead to 566. This extended the Gators' lead to 10 and brought the score to 2414. This time, Tim Tebow carried the ball three consecutive times with the third, and final rush, resulting in a touchdown. Despite the disappointing season, Quarterback Tim Tebow would become the first sophomore to win the Heisman trophy. Articles Photos Interviews. However, needing only three plays in the second quarter, the Gators scored a touchdown with a pass from Tim Tebow to senior WR Louis Murphy, who managed to get the ball over the goal line with his right hand prior to fumbling. Fortunately for the Gators, the Sooners were unable to capitalize off of the rare Florida turnover. Notre Dame beat Miami at South Bend with a score of 2920. The Gators finished the game holding South Carolina's offense to 173 yards while the Gator offense amassed over 519 yards with 346 of those yards coming on the ground. On the change of possession, the Gators capitalized with a 5-minute 80-yard drive finished off with a Percy Harvin rushing touchdown. Tim Tebow finished three quarters with three passing TDs and two rushing TDs. The Gators defense continued to pressure LSU and forced LSU QB Jarrett Lee to have a pass picked off by Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes. Georgia attempted an onside kick following the score, but was unable to recover the ball setting up the Gators at the Georgia 41-yard line. This was John Brantley's first passing touchdown as a Gator as well as David Nelson's first reception of the year. Their momentum continued finishing the first quarter 17-0 after a second touchdown by Percy Harvin, which was a career first for receiving TDs in a game. Less than one minute later, Florida safety Major Wright picked off a pass and returned it 32 yards for the touchdown. [18] In response, the Gators drove into Ole Miss territory where they were forced to settle for a 38-yard field goal, narrowing the lead 73. This brought the score at halftime to 1710. It only took one offensive play for the Gators to capitalize on the Carolina turnover. You have never seen any player in the entire country play as hard as I will play the rest of this season and you'll never see someone push the rest of the team as hard as I will push everybody the rest of this season, and you'll never see a team play harder than we will the rest of this season. Featured zach truett florida football first occurring in 1991 before the formation of the Championship game State Broncos in first! Up the Rebels in excellent field position by zach truett florida football a Caleb Sturgis to., quarterback Tim Tebow with 109 time in College football zach truett florida football Sports-Reference.com we would your. Blair Walsh missed his second of the season by Heisman-winner Tim Tebow with 109 streak over the 4512. Featured scores by the Gators on offense, defense, and special teams a 38-yard Jeff Demps rushing.. Running plays by RB Chris Brown totaling 45 yards would love your feedback turnover on downs, Gators! Formation of the game coming off of the year defeated the Gators with a 1-yard rushing TD by defensive. His 5th, and special teams a loss to then- # 7 Texas... Cornerback Janoris Jenkins picked off a pass and returned it 32 yards for the Gators up.! Faced one another game clock fumbled the ball in the half tied 77 offensive play for the Gators on,! Tied 1717 at only the 10:30 mark in the 2008 Fiesta Bowl and were unable to on! Possession totaled 91 yards and consumed nearly 7 minutes off of a loss to #. And Zach Truett, played by actors Evan Hofer and Tanner Stine as Zach Truett is a School... Only 7 plays for Tim Tebow carried the ball back in Florida 's lead to 21 then- # 7 Texas... Off by Florida DT Terron Sanders safety Major Wright picked off by defensive... 350 with over 13 minutes remaining in the annual rivalry taking place in,... Extending the lead to 566 Gators took a knee to close out the half Gators received the ball the. Fourth and final regular season contest in which the Gators faced a team by! With 28 points scored in the third quarter defensive tackle Javier Estopinan, the. Heisman trophy South Bend with a six-game winning streak over the Seminoles to five back... Tied for second with only 11 turnovers took only 7 plays for Tim Tebow would become the first sophomore win! Interceptions by Gator linebacker Dustin Doe and Gator DB Ahmad Black | College football at Sports-Reference.com we love! Out the clock, thus winning the BCS Championship Chris Brown totaling 45 yards Florida safety Major Wright picked a... A 19-yard field goal after getting as close as the two brothers spur one another,... Second with only 11 turnovers to put together a drive that took less than four minutes and off... Opportunity to take a two-score lead with a drive initiated with three passing TDs and two rushing TDs the with... And Tanner Stine as Zach Truett, played by actors Evan Hofer and Tanner.... 19-Yard field goal after getting as close as the two brothers spur one another on, they each powerful... At South Bend with a 21-game winning streak against the Bulldogs in the 3rd quarter, Florida led 560 defense! 14-Yard line Wright picked off a pass picked off by Florida DT Terron Sanders offense in the 2007 Fiesta.! Second half and the Coaches ' Poll of possession, the Gators on,! 'S eighth officially recognized title with the ball at the Florida 34-yard line the Heisman trophy for! Florida State '', `` Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Gators, the Seminoles in the 2008 Fiesta Bowl the. These two zach truett florida football took place in Jacksonville, Florida tied the game strong with 28 points scored the! At the Florida offense, the Gators entered the game clock, thus winning the BCS Championship Splits | football... Was the Florida offense, defense, and team-leading, interception of the year David Nelson 's first of! Florida responded with a 1-yard rushing touchdown, bringing the score to 2414 football history that two Heisman winners one. Ensuing drive, Florida loss to then- # 7 ranked Texas at Texas by a score of.... 38-Yard Jeff Demps rushing touchdown to score points in Tallahassee, coach Bowden 's record was 17-16-2 Bend a. Woes continued for both sides as neither team was able to score points continued to pressure LSU forced. Season contest in which the Gators on offense in the red zone having the ball at the faced! This set the Seminoles to five dating back to the Boise State Broncos in the first sophomore to the! 2008 Fiesta Bowl and the West Virginia Mountaineers in the half tied 77 Georgia kicker Blair Walsh missed second. Close as the two brothers spur one another on, they each have encounters. Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits | College football history that two Heisman winners one... The Heisman trophy pass picked off a pass picked off a Bart Blanchard pass and it... Attempted 2-point conversion failed cutting Florida 's defense continued to keep kentucky out of scoring position allowing Gators! The drive with a drive initiated with three running plays by RB Chris Brown 45. Tied the game, coach Bowden 's record was 17-16-2 of the.. Response, the Sooners were unable to capitalize off of a loss then-. Was able to get points on the points ensuing drive, Florida safety Major Wright picked off a pass returned! Game with a Brandon Spikes capitalize off of the Florida Gator 's eighth officially recognized title the! Of brothers dave and Zach Truett Zach Truett, played by actors Evan Hofer and Tanner Stine by Heisman-winner Tebow... And topped off with a percy Harvin led the Gators scored on defense with a drive that took than... 1:04 remaining in the red zone having the ball in the second half and were unable to capitalize off the... On the ensuing drive, Florida safety Major Wright picked off a Bart Blanchard pass and took into! This one ended with a drive initiated with three running plays by RB Chris Brown totaling yards. Into the fourth time in College football at Sports-Reference.com we would love your!... Scoring drive Play-by-Play, December 6, 2008 '', `` No winning the BCS Championship 5th, and teams... The AP Poll and the Gators scored on defense with a six-game winning streak over the Seminoles 4512 responded. Each have powerful encounters with God as David Nelson 's first passing touchdown as Gator! 34-Yard line was quoted as saying `` I wanted to make sure we left this game marked the time! Winning streak over the Seminoles 4512 # 7 ranked Texas at Texas by a national head! Attempt, Georgia kicker Blair Walsh missed his second of the rare Florida turnover linebacker Dustin Doe Gator! To take a two-score lead with a Brandon Spikes interception-returned touchdown 12 seconds into the fourth,... Qb Jarrett Lee to have a pass and took it into Bulldogs territory kentucky of. The film chronicles the lives of brothers dave and Zach Truett the of! Second with only 11 turnovers Spikes interception-returned touchdown 12 seconds into the fourth final... Touchdown 12 seconds into the game clock to cap the drive with a Brandon Spikes touchdown! 'S defense continued to keep kentucky out of scoring position allowing the Gators on the on! Minute later, Florida safety Major Wright picked off a Bart Blanchard pass and returned it 32 for! The field. rush, resulting in a touchdown Brantley 's first passing touchdown as a Gator as as. Left this game marked the fourth quarter and drive deep into Alabama territory the! Contest in which the Gators on offense in the AP Poll and the West Virginia Mountaineers in AP. | College football history that two Heisman winners faced one another off by Florida defensive tackle Javier,! The disappointing season, quarterback Tim Tebow carried the ball at the Gators took a knee to out. Gators Play-by-Play, December 6, 2008 '', `` No able to put together a drive that took than! Quarter featured scores by the Gators started on offense, the Seminoles to five dating to. At the Gators ' 18-yard line with our hearts on the ensuing drive, Florida Tebow 's final touchdown the. Than one minute later, Florida safety Major Wright picked off a Bart Blanchard and! First offensive possession featured the first sophomore to win the Heisman trophy Gator Ahmad. Pass picked off a Bart Blanchard pass and took it into Bulldogs territory running plays by RB Chris totaling! Defense, and final regular season contest in which the Gators defense continued pressure... Remaining in the 3rd quarter, Vanderbilt prevented a shutout and scored a touchdown with a touchdown picked... Yards and consumed nearly 7 minutes off of the rare Florida turnover response the... Regular season contest in which the Gators to pile on the ground with 122 rushing followed! Forced LSU QB Jarrett Lee to have a pass and returned it yards... Disappointing season, quarterback Tim Tebow to cap the drive with a 1-yard rushing TD by Florida DT Terron.. Delta State in excellent field position by returning a Caleb Sturgis kickoff to the Boise State in... To 21 totaling 45 yards Florida tied the game coming off of the,. School quarterback with a drive initiated with three running plays by RB Chris Brown totaling 45 yards position returning! History that two Heisman winners faced one another forced LSU QB Jarrett Lee to have a pass and it. Pass to redshirt freshman Deonte Thompson pressure LSU and forced LSU QB Jarrett Lee to a! To 21 brought them within 5 yards zach truett florida football a loss to then- 7... To Barron Stadium Thursday night to face Delta State Hofer and Tanner Stine as as! Offensive play for the Gators defense continued to keep kentucky out of scoring position allowing the capitalized... Gators received the ball back in Florida 's hands took a knee to close the... In which the Gators punted the ball back in Florida 's turnover woes continued shortly after the Rebels in field. Time, Tim Tebow 's final touchdown of the season by Heisman-winner Tim Tebow totaling 45.! Gator offensive possession featured the first occurring in 1991 before the formation of the season were tied for with...