Notebook: Tebow aims for umblemished record vs. UT

For everything quarterback Tim Tebow has done in his career at Florida, one play stands out to his coach.

Urban Meyer remembers that moment in Knoxville, Tenn., like it was yesterday.

On a third-and-5, starting quarterback Chris Leak slid short of a first down with the Gators trailing 20-14 in the fourth quarter. With 7:53 remaining in the game and 28 yards from the end zone, Meyer had a decision to make.

"We called timeout and it was fourth down-and-1 and I saw this young stallion sitting on the sideline, and here we go," Meyer said at his Monday news conference.

Tebow lowered his shoulder and pushed for two yards, giving Florida the first down. Two plays later, Leak found receiver Dallas Baker for the eventual game-winning touchdown in Florida's 21-20 victory.

Tebow has had the Volunteers' number since. In his last two games against the Vols, Tebow passed for 395 passing yards and four touchdowns, while rushing for 87 yards with two scores.

Saturday, Tebow has a chance to join UF's Danny Wuerffel and Alabama's Jay Barker as the only SEC quarterbacks to go undefeated against Tennessee in a four-year span.

Tebow said he's thought about ending his career with a perfect record against the Vols and that he's been thinking about this game for some time. With this being his last UT game, Tebow said the thing he's most excited about is the atmosphere around the pregame Gator Walk.

"It’ll be ridiculous. It’ll be so exciting and fun," he said.

Records and fanfare aside, Tebow understands the importance of pride that will be on the line this weekend.

"Since I’ve been here, it’s been such a big game," he said. "It’s an intense rivalry. It’s a rivalry where you go out there and you play extremely hard. It’s one of the most physical games that we’ll play all year."

Graded champions

Offense: Deonte Thompson, Tim Tebow, Aaron Hernandez, Jeff Demps, Brandon James, John Brantley, T.J. Pridmore, Carl Johnson, Marcus Gilbert, Mike Poucney, James Wilson, Riley Cooper. Offensive player of the game: Maurkice Pouncey

Defense: Major Wright, Ahmad Black, Will Hill, Brandon Spikes, Ryan Stamper, A.J. Jones, Janoris Jenkins, Joe Haden, Justin Trattou, Markihe Anderson, Carlos Dunlap

Defensive player of the game: Jermaine Cunningham

Etc.

Florida leads the nation in total offensive yards (1,287), yards per touch (10.5) and offensive touchdowns (16) through two games. ... The Gators have three running back in the top 10 nationally in yards per carry. Jeff Demps ranks No. 1 (14.7), Chris Rainey is No. 5 (9.8) and Emmanuel Moody is No. 9 (9.8). No other school in the country has two in the top 10. ... With a win Saturday, it would be the first time Florida has led in the all-time series with Tennessee. The series sits at 19-19. ... Meyer said defensive lineman Lawrence Marsh (ankle) and receiver Deonte Thompson (hamstring) are probable and expect to play Saturday.