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By John L. Crawford
SouthernPigskin.com Contributor
Fernandina News-Leader
SouthernPigskin.com Contributor John L. Crawford talks about Florida's superb defense.
I know it sounds like a broken record: They are what they are. But the scene in the endzone after the University of Florida’s 24-14 victory over South Carolina in Columbia last Saturday night might have epitomized the 2009 Gators. After the game, the team assembled and sang the alma mater and the fight song in front of the few thousand Florida fans who made the trek north, which has become a tradition under head coach Urban Meyer. The orange and blue faithful typically use the close proximity to get a high five, a picture, a lock of hair (just kidding) of QB Tim Tebow. But on this night, it was the quarterback of the defense, LB Brandon Spikes, and his compadres getting the most love. Sure, the crowd eventually broke into a chant of “Tebow, Tebow, Tebow,” but not before giving a proverbial embrace to the Florida defense. Three weeks removed from a showdown with Alabama in Atlanta’s Georgia Dome, it seems that the Gator Nation is finally realizing that its bread and butter are the 10 guys rallying around No. 51, rather than No. 15. The boys opposite Tebow are Florida’s 2009 rock stars and are most vital to the Gators’ championship aspirations.
This is in no way meant to demean Tebow, who in about two months will complete one of the most storied careers in college football history. There is no doubt that if No. 15 weren’t taking the snaps, Florida would not be undefeated. As Tebow goes, so goes the Florida offense.
But when it’s crunch time, I think it’s safe to say that fans would rather the game be put in the hands of the Florida defense. In other words, they would likely rather see the defense on the field protecting a slim lead than the offense having to overcome a deficit with the game on the line. And the defense did it again last Saturday night. With the Gators holding a 17-14 lead and the Gamecocks facing a third-and-two deep in Florida territory on the first play of the fourth quarter, South Carolina fans smelled blood. And that silly guy in the chicken costume probably started resembling a buzzard circling its prey to Florida fans. But the wounded Gator came back to life in the form of Justin Trattou, who intercepted a slant pass and rumbled 53 yards to the South Carolina 26. A few clock minutes later, Tebow tied the SEC record for career rushing/receiving touchdowns and gave his team a 10-point lead. Game over.
Steve Spurrier and his Gamecocks deserve credit for their ability to sustain drives against Florida’s stingy defense. They can probably also take credit for raising the collective blood pressure of the Gator Nation a point or two.
With that said, the hand wringing in the stands wasn’t quite as intense as it has been last Saturday night. There seemed to be a quiet confidence that, despite South Carolina’s moderate success on offense, Florida’s defense would come up with a play when it had to. And once again, it did.
Quite frankly, the “they are what they are” cliché is getting old. I’m tired of writing it and I’m sure you’re tired of reading it. But I think Gator fans are starting to believe it. And most importantly, I think the Gator defense is relishing in it.
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Crawford of the Fernandina News-Leader, a veteran journalist in the Sunshine State and a high school football coach, has joined the SouthernPigskin.com Staff. His opinions will include college football but other sports as well. Share your thoughts on the SouthernPigskin.com Message Boards or email John at
Stories written by SouthernPigskin.com columnists are done independently. Views do not always coincide with those of the remainder of the staff or the ownership of SouthernPigskin.com.
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