Tiger tamers: Gators start, end strong

Facing a tough fight to keep all their hopes and goals alive, the Florida Gators were looking to make a statement Saturday against LSU, the defending national champions and the nation's fourth-ranked team.

They made their statement, and it is this: they are still very much involved in the SEC and national championship races after a stunning 51-21 victory before 90,684 in The Swamp.

The victory elevates Florida to 5-1 overall and 3-1 in the SEC. It also certainly vaults the Gators back into the top 10 — and back onto the national title radar. LSU falls to 4-1 and 2-1.

In perhaps their best and most complete performance since their 41-14 victory over Ohio State in the BSC Championship Game in 2006, the Gators rolled up 475 total yards, including a whopping 265 on the ground, against one of the nation's strongest defenses. And the UF defense shut down the Tigers' powerful running game and came up with some critical turnovers to turn a 20-14 game early in the third quarter into a rout.

"We knew we had to come out here and execute well to win this game," UF quarterback Tim Tebow said. "We had a great week of practice. We were extremely hyped. I think you saw that in the first quarter.

"We wanted to dominate, go out there and play physically. We really did that and it set the tone."

The Florida offense, which has been criticized throughout much of the season, came to life Saturday night. Tebow looked like the Hesiman winner in this victory, completing 14-of-21 passes for 210 yards and two touchdowns and rushing for another touchdown.

Tebow did a masterful job spreading the ball to his playmakers. Perhaps his best move was handing off to speedy freshmen tailbacks Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey.

Demps rushed for 129 yards and gave the Gators a 34-14 lead with his 42-yard TD sprint late in the third quarter. Rainey added 66 yards on 11 carries.

The offense sent the tone in the game's opening seconds, when on the third offensive play of the night, Tebow threw a 70-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Percy Harvin. The pass was tipped by LSU safety Danny McCray, right into the hands of Harvin, who went the distance untouched.

It was LSU's worst loss since falling to Alabama 31-0 in 2002. It was the most points given up by the Tigers since a 56-13 loss at Florida in 1996.

While the offense kept the aggressive Tigers off balance for most of the night, the UF defense also did what it had to do, shutting down the run and then coming up with some big turnovers, including a 52-yard interception return for a touchdown by middle linebacker Brandon Spikes on the first play of the fourth quarter. The score gave the Gators a 41-14 lead — the same score in UF's national championship victory over the Buckeyes.

"I'd never took a pick to the house before," said Spikes, who celebrated by punting the ball into the south end zone stands. "The passion of the game took over. (UF coach Urban Meyer) said I shanked the punt (which drew a 15-yard penalty for excessive celebration)."

The key drive of the game for UF came after LSU had cut the UF lead to 20-14 early in the third quarter. The Gators answered with a scoring drive that culminated with a 2-yard TD run by Tebow.

"I think that drive shows the maturity and compsure we have now," Tebow said. "That drive was crucial."

The defense held the Tigers to 321 total yards and stymied tailback Charles Scott, who gained only 35 yards on 12 carries. His longest run of 18 yards came on the final play of the game.

The overall Florida performance was a huge turnaround from two weeks ago, when the Gators were upset 31-30 by Ole Miss. That loss put UF on the brink of possible elimination in the SEC race. On Saturday night, the Gators stepped away from the ledge.

Now, they head into an open date with the ultimate feel-good victory.

"I'm glad we have a bye week," Meyer said. "It's coming at a good time. We have to enjoy this tonight and bring it back and get ready for the next game."