After all the talk about the two offenses of Florida and Oklahoma, there was not a single point scored in the first quarter. In fact, the halftime score was 7 to 7. Florida was consistently moving the ball down the field, but penalties hurt. Penalties also hurt the Oklahoma Sooners. Duke Robinson, a first team All-American offensive lineman had two terrible penalties. A late hit and then a holding call. No holding call - - - It's a Sooner first down at the 15 after tight end Jermaine Gresham caught a 25 yard BEAUTIFUL PASS by Sam Bradford. Both teams laid goose eggs in the scoring column after both were outscoring their opponents by a mile in first quarter play. (1st QT differential through the entire season - - - OK +195 (1st in the nation) and FL + 147 (2nd in the nation).
First possession in the second quarter for Florida they go down and strike first. A 20-yard reception TD by Gator wideout Lewis Murphy. However, the touchdown did not bother the Sooners whatsoever. After three straight runs from Chris Brown, who is backing up DeMarco Murray, it took just two more plays for Oklahoma to capitalize. My other "boi" Jermaine Gresham caught a beautiful pass from Sam Bradford to make it 7-7. After a scoreless first half, in 3:10 it was 7-7.
The biggest advantage that you could tell in the first half is that the Oklahoma Sooner offensive line dominated the Florida Gators. Great coaching changes were made too. Sooner's Coach Bob Stoops realized after the first quarter that they were not going to have all the success with Bradford so he went to the run game and the Sooners rushed for 82 yards after rushing for just 64 yards in the first quarter.
The TAIL of the first half, which ended in an interception by Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford and a 7-7 score, was the two Heisman Trophy winners thrpowing a combined three interceptions. Needless to say, the two interceptions thrown by Florida Gator quarterback, Tim Tebow in the first half ended up not costing his team because Oklahoma did not score on either two possessions.
The second half looked to be all Florida Gators, but it truly was a "barn burner" of a game. After both teams punted in each of their first possessions in the second half you knew the defenses were there to stay. Then, Florida took over and I called it the "TIM TEBOW DRIVE," which capped off in a Percy Harvin touchdown. Within the next few minutes Oklahoma came right back down and tied it up with another Jermaine Gresham tocuhdown. Gresham finished with 8 receptions, 62 yards and 2 touchdowns. The only touchdowns Choklahoma scored all game.
Although, the Sooners had a lot of success running the football with Chris Brown, who backed up the injured DeMarco Murray, Florida's defense still had an architectural performance. Brown rushed for 110 yards on 22 carries.
So after another scoring drive by the Florida Gators to make it 17-14, my "boi" Same Bradford through an incredible ball over the middle to Jaquain Iglesias and it got picked off by Amad Black (7th of the season). Before this game, Oklahoma was use to playing zone defenses.....well they met Florida's defense that played MAN-2-MAN! Oklahoma scored 76 out of the 80 times they got in the red zone this season. Last night, they got in 1 out of 3 times. There is no question that Charlie Strong, Gator defensive coordinator, did an outstanding job of scheming this "high-powered" Sooner offense. Now do not get me wrong, Florida was gassed but they made big big stops and that is what you have to do to win National Championships.... make big plays. Also, credit needs to be given to Dan Mullen on an outstanding job of calling plays. This is an offensive coordinator that is soon to be Mississippi State's head coach. I pat him on the beack for staying and doing the right thing...plus it looks good on his resume. However, do not bash Kevin Wilson, Oklahoma's offensive coordinator, like I said....the Gator defense played incredibly well. Wilson orchestrated one of the most outstanding offenses we have seen in the history of college football and credit is deserved.
In the end, the six foot six 315 pound (average height and weight of OKLAHOMA'S OLINE) lineman could not get the job done for Sam Bradford. Florida did get pressure to Same Bradford on and off all night. In fact, the only time I questioned offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson for being "too conservative" as Lee Corso said.
Well it was a fun interesting game to watch. You got the best of the best in my opinion. Two coaches who grew up within two hours of each other in the state of O-H-I-O and two quarterbacks that won the Heisman Trophy. Oh yeah....and the highest attendance count in Dolphin Stadium history (NFL or COLLEGE GAME)....78,468. Now the question comes....is Bob Stoops the guy? I definitely think he is the right guy. Name me another coach who has went to the National Championship game 4 out of the 9 years that he has been there.....can't name many can ya!? Granted Stoops is 2-5 in BCS games, while Florida Coach, Urban Meyer is 2-0 and they are both National Championships. Lastly, I have to give a lot of credit to one of the top three quarterbacks to ever play the "COLLEGE FOOTBALL GAME." Tebow rushed for 109 yards on 22 carries and had 231 completion yards on 18 for 30 throwing the pigskin with 2 touchdowns and (2INT's). The kid is remarkable and no one can stress it enough. The kid should come back....I am sorry he might be interesting in a certain system but will never be the quarterback a Sam Bradford will be in the National Football League. Nontheless, Tebow is one of the greatest athelets to ever play the game. The kid has won two National Championships and a Heisman Trophy already...come back for one more year Timmy....you may not have Percy Harvin ("your favorite target) but you will have 10 defensive starters returing including 8 that were SOPHOMORES! If you want to....you can make the case that URBAN MEYER'S FLORIDA GATORS and PETE CAROL'S USC TROJANS could be the favorites the next decade.
Other notable notes from the game.....
Sam Bradford - 26-41 256 yards 2 TD 2 INT
Percy Harvin - 5 REC 49 yards....122 rsuhing yards on....14 total touches for 171 yards and a touchdown.
Neither team trailed at halftime all season long (7-7 at half in the NC Game)
Lots of momentum swing in the football games.
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