'Vintage Tebow' tiptoes to extend drive

Urban Meyer readily admitted following top-ranked Florida's 23-13 victory against Tennessee on Saturday in The Swamp that quarterback Tim Tebow had not played his best game. But the Gators' coach threw in a caveat.

"He played as hard as he's ever played," Meyer said.

That was never more apparent than on a play that occurred just past the midway point of the third quarter.

It was third-and-3 from the UF 38, and the Gators were clinging to a 16-6 lead, and the designed pass play was what Tebow called "a little rub in the flat."

However, none of Tebow's potential targets were able to get open, so he improvised.

After looking like he should have been sacked for about a 10-yard loss, Tebow broke free from multiple would-be tacklers in the middle of the field and began running toward the Florida bench. Once there, he was in danger of stepping out of bounds, but tiptoed down the sidelines, culminating the 4-yard run with a dive for the first down.

That set up a 7-yard touchdown run by flu-ridden Jeff Demps that gave the Gators a 23-6 lead with seven seconds left in the quarter.

Tebow's coaches, teammates and Volunteer coaches were in awe of the play.

"That was vintage Tebow," Meyer said. "He had a helluva day. You take away a couple of (errant) throws (and) he had a helluva day. He kind of took the game over on that drive and pounded on it.

"But that was one of the best plays. ... I can't wait to see that on film."

Center Maurkice Pouncey didn't even attempt to conceal his grin when asked about Tebow's run.

"That's a great play," Pouncey said. "That kept the game rolling. We went out there and scored (after that).

"I'm glad to have Tim Tebow."

Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin no doubt is happy he won't have to see UF's senior quarterback again.

When asked after the game if his All-American safety Eric Berry (11 tackles, one interception) was the best player on the field, Kiffin quickly responded that Tebow (115 passing yards, 76 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown) earned that title.

Kiffin also said he was amazed at the energy Tebow never lost.

"I kept saying (over the headset), 'He's bound to get tired, he's bound to get tired, he's bound to get tired,' but he never did," Kiffin said.