I know, I know. It's only Western Kentucky. It's a pop-quiz, a prep exam. But Tim Tebow turned in a close to perfect performance as the Gators' new starting quarterback on Saturday, and he did it largely on the strength of his Popeye-sized left arm. Tebow flung the leather 300 yards for 3 TDs, completing 13 of 17 passes, and rushed for an additional TD in Florida's 49-3 tune-up vs. the WKU Hilltoppers.
Another way to look at that line is that Tebow had as many total TDs as he had incompletions. I remember some of Peyton Manning's NFL TD-to-INC stats looking like that and being slobbered over. And yet another is to consider that 300 yards on 13 completions is a hell of a lot of yards per throw -- a skosh over 23 yards, in fact.
Yes, yes, I know. Western Kentucky. I know.Of Tebow's four incomplete passes, one was deflected at the line, two were dropped, and one was legitimately batted away. The super soph also showed an uncanny ability to feather the ball precisely into the arms of receivers Andre Caldwell and Riley Cooper as they blazed down the sidelines at sub 4.3 speeds.
Tebow played three full quarters before coming out in favor of Cam Newton and the Gators' second string. At that point, Urban Meyer, ever the gentleman (?) took his foot off the gas pedal and coasted through the final 15 minutes. Had he not relented, the Gators would have been on track for a 700-yard performance.
Tebow had full control of the offense at the line of scrimmage, calling audibles, checking off, putting his receivers into motion and setting up downfield blocks for his scrambles. It was a complete performance.
Of course, Florida -- and Tebow -- have tougher tests ahead. Troy, while not exactly a top quality opponent, is much better than WKU and will provide more of a challenge for the Gators. Then, the Tennessee Vols visit the Swamp on September 15th in what will be Tim Tebow's final exam.
And if he "passes" that one, no one will call him a "glorified fullback" ever again.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-02-2007 @ 1:32PM
Unsilent Majority said...
That's an unfortunately homo-erotic headline.
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9-02-2007 @ 2:09PM
Jack said...
Meyer didn't take his foot off the gas. The game was called with about 8 minutes to play due to lightening. Newton had the Gators knocking on the door, and Urban wasn't slowing down with his play calling
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9-02-2007 @ 2:10PM
THE TRUTH said...
gators on to another title! sorry usc.
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9-02-2007 @ 5:21PM
rowefork said...
Tebow had some wide open receivers but you still have to deliver the ball and his touch and fire power were both impressive. He has improved as a passer since the spring game. With a solid O lIne, he is going to shred the Tennessee secondary on play-action.
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9-02-2007 @ 5:35PM
Lyn said...
Florida always picks on a sicly team for the first game to make them look TOUGH, wait till they face
a real Team - TENNESSEE will take them down big time
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9-02-2007 @ 6:11PM
gg said...
Just think this Florida team defeated Ohio State in the title game not with a coach from the Florida ranks but with a coach that came through the Ohio State program. Imagine that
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9-02-2007 @ 6:33PM
Unsilent Majority said...
Judging from last night I'd say Tennessee's defense is going to be chasing Florida ball carriers all day.
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9-02-2007 @ 8:01PM
Wolf said...
Hey gg, can you say MORAL VICTORY? I think you can, since you can't claim to be anything else but Runner up State where the Gators are concerned.
Ohio State= Gator Bait.
GO GATORS!
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9-02-2007 @ 9:06PM
sara said...
you could say im the biggest gator fan in ga and it is really hard to support your #1 team in ga when everyone around you is a bulldog fan.
i was really nervouse to see how the gators were goin to look even though it was western Kentucky, but i can safely say i was not let down! thier defence is really young and has alot to learn but Tebow was amazing i am certian he wont let us down this year!
go gators!
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9-03-2007 @ 1:47PM
Fred Marks said...
A Gator alumni has just launched www.KeepUrbanMeyer.com. Please consider these facts:
1) Meyer has never been the head coach for more than two years at any school.
2) This is Urban Meyer’s 3rd year at the University of Florida!
3) Urban Meyer is the hottest young college coach in America!
4) The NFL already claimed a Gator football coach in Steve Spurrier (2001) and the NBA hired away (then released) Gator basketball coach Billy Donovan (2007)
5) A logical person would conclude that Urban Meyer is the next Gator coach to be lured away!
KeepUrbanMeyer.com will remain in existence ban Meyer to commit to the University of Florida until his contract expires, and to turn down the NFL when they are calling!
Please help Gator Nation by pressuring Urban Meyer to commit to fulfilling his contract with the University of Florida by remaining head football coach until at least 2013. Gator Nation can’t be saved without your help!
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9-03-2007 @ 4:46PM
Kelly said...
Oh boy, let all the Gaytors pat themselves on the back after crushing a high school team that wasn't even playing with their starting quarterback. And when WKU's quarterback was in the game, they certaintly weren't having a problem moving the ball on that new Gaytor defense, were they??
Gaytors will be in shock when they actually have to play 60 minutes against a real team.
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9-08-2007 @ 2:10PM
gooey miles said...
fresh off the press gators to play school for the blind after troy state
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