With Alabama and Florida both 12-0 for the season, both teams knew that only one could remain undefeated after Saturday's game. That team was Alabama, reigning over Florida 32-13, and knocking the Gators to 12-1 for the season. In the Georgia Dome, 75,514 fans turned out to see Alabama remain victorious during this second consecutive game that the two teams met in the SEC championships.
Overall, this was the 7th time Crimson Tide met the Gators in an SEC championship game, and the 4th since Meyer became Gator's head coach (2005, 2006, 2008, 2009) putting him 2-2 with Alabama. This marks the first time the Gator's lost an away game since January 1st, 2008, when they lost to Michigan in the Capital One Bowl game. Tim Tebow, departing senior quarterback who's had a stellar season, completed 20 passes of 35 for 247 yards and scored 1 touchdown. Junior tight end Aaron Hernandez had 8 catches for 85 yards, But Alabama's offense managed 490 yards, and a victory.
The Crimson Tide started the game with 9 plays and 47 yards, with senior kicker Leigh Tiffin putting the first 3 points on the board thanks to a 48-yard field goal kick. Over 10 minutes of the first quarter had already passed.
Alabama forced Florida to a 3 and out punt their first time out, the Mark Ingram scored Alabama's first touchdown with a 7-yard run with 5:33 remaining in the first quarter. The score became 6-0, with a missed extra point.
The Gators' next shot at control of the ball led to 2 third down conversions, and Caleb Sturgis kicked a good one 48 yards for the Gators' first 3 points on the board. Each team punted and after a career-first sack by Florida's Ahmad Black, Alabama scored a 34-yard field goal after a 68-yard, 12-play push, putting Alabama at 12-3.
Then Florida rallied and scored their first touchdown with Tebow rushing 38 yards and making a 23-yard pass to wide receiver David Nelson who caught it in the end zone. The score moved to 12-10 Alabama.
Alabama answered with their second touchdown that stretched their lead to 19-10 on their next possession, with a 3-yard rush by Ingram. The Gators narrowed the gap to 19-13 with a 32-yard field goal from Sturgis with less than a minute-and-a-half in the first half.
Florida had possession at the start of the second half, and punted. Alabama drove the ball 74 yards, and quarterback Greg McElroy passed it 17 yards to tight end Colin Peek who scored, widening Alabama's lead to 26-13. Alabama's 3rd touchdown came with less than 14 minutes in the 4th quarter on a 1-yard rush by Ingram, with a failed 2-point conversion, widening the gap to 32-13.
Florida looked about to score and bridge the gap with 11:51 left, but Alabama cornerback Javier Arenas intercepted Tebow in the end zone. Another attempt by the Gators ended on downs at 7:28 remaining in the game, and the Crimson Tide held onto the ball for the remainder of the game, grabbing the SEC championship with a score of 32-13. The Gators' next Bowl game has not yet been announced.
Photo Credits: bsteve76
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