2009 Florida Gators football team

American college football season

2009 Florida Gators football

SEC Eastern Division champion
Sugar Bowl champion

SEC Championship Game, L 13–32 vs. Alabama

Sugar Bowl, W 51–24 vs. Cincinnati

Conference| Southeastern Conference
Division| Eastern Division
Ranking
Coaches| No. 3
AP| No. 3
Record| 13–1 (8–0 SEC)
Head coach|

* Urban Meyer (5th season)

Offensive coordinator| Steve Addazio (1st season)
Offensive scheme| Spread option
Defensive coordinator| Charlie Strong (7th season)
Base defense| 3–3–5
MVPs|

* Tim Tebow
* Joe Haden

Captains|

* Brandon James
* Joey Sorrentino
* Brandon Spikes
* Ryan Stamper
* Tim Tebow

Home stadium| Ben Hill Griffin Stadium[1]

Seasons

<- 2008

2010 ->

2009 Southeastern Conference football standings

* v
* t
* e

| Conf. |  |  | Overall

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Team |  | W |  | L |  |  |  |  | W |  | L |
Eastern Division
No. 3 Florida x%  |  | 8  | - | 0  |  |  |  |  | 13  | - | 1  |
Georgia |  | 4  | - | 4  |  |  |  |  | 8  | - | 5  |
Tennessee |  | 4  | - | 4  |  |  |  |  | 7  | - | 6  |
Kentucky |  | 3  | - | 5  |  |  |  |  | 7  | - | 6  |
South Carolina |  | 3  | - | 5  |  |  |  |  | 7  | - | 6  |
Vanderbilt |  | 0  | - | 8  |  |  |  |  | 2  | - | 10  |
Western Division
No. 1 Alabama x$#  |  | 8  | - | 0  |  |  |  |  | 14  | - | 0  |
No. 17 LSU |  | 5  | - | 3  |  |  |  |  | 9  | - | 4  |
No. 20 Ole Miss |  | 4  | - | 4  |  |  |  |  | 9  | - | 4  |
Arkansas |  | 3  | - | 5  |  |  |  |  | 8  | - | 5  |
Auburn |  | 3  | - | 5  |  |  |  |  | 8  | - | 5  |
Mississippi State |  | 3  | - | 5  |  |  |  |  | 5  | - | 7  |
Championship: Alabama 32, Florida 13

* # - BCS National Champion
* $ - BCS representative as conference champion
* % - BCS at-large representative
* x - Division champion/co-champions

Rankings from AP Poll

The 2009 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida in the sport of American football during the 2009 college football season. The Gators competed in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), and played their home games at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on the university's Gainesville, Florida campus. They were led by fifth-year head coach Urban Meyer, who coached the Gators to a first-place finish in the SEC East, a 51–24 Sugar Bowl victory over the Cincinnati Bearcats, and an overall win–loss record of 13–1 (.929).

With senior quarterback Tim Tebow and eleven defensive starters returning, the Gators had hoped to repeat as back-to-back national champions following their BCS National Championship at the end of the 2008 season. They finished with an undefeated 12–0 regular season, their first since 1995, but the Gators' 32–13 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide in the SEC Championship Game derailed their national title hopes, and forced them to settle for a berth in the Sugar Bowl. At the conclusion of the 2009 season, the Gators were ranked No. 3 in both major polls.

On December 26, 2009, Gators athletic director Jeremy Foley announced that Urban Meyer would step down as the team's head coach for health and family reasons.[2] The following day, Meyer stated that he would instead take an indefinite leave of absence, allowing him to resume his position as the head coach. Meyer returned to coach the Gators in spring practice in March 2010.

## Pre-season

[edit]

On January 11, 2009, during the national championship celebration at the University of Florida, quarterback Tim Tebow announced his intention to return for his senior season,[3] followed on January 15 by linebacker Brandon Spikes intention to return as well. With Spikes' return, the entire two-deep of the Gators defense was set to return for the 2009 season. One major loss was All-America wide receiver Percy Harvin, who opted to leave the University of Florida to enter the 2009 NFL draft.

The Gators also lost offensive coordinator and quarterback coach Dan Mullen, who became the head coach at Mississippi State following Sylvester Croom's resignation. Former offensive line coach Steve Addazio was named as Mullen's replacement, with Scot Loeffler hired to take on the role of quarterback coach.

The Gators played their spring scrimmage on April 18, 2009, with the Orange winning.

Florida was voted #1 in both the preseason USA Today Coaches' Poll and the AP Poll. The Gators received the highest ever percentage of preseason #1 votes in the history of the AP Poll, which began in 1950.[4][5]

## Schedule

[edit]

Date| Time| Opponent| Rank| Site| TV| Result| Attendance

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September 5| 7:00 p.m.| Charleston Southern*| No. 1|

* Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
* Gainesville, FL

| FSN| W 62–3| 90,621
September 12| 12:00 p.m.| Troy*| No. 1|

* Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
* Gainesville, FL

| SECN| W 56–6| 90,349
September 19| 3:30 p.m.| Tennessee| No. 1|

* Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
* Gainesville, FL (rivalry)

| CBS| W 23–13| 90,894
September 26| 6:00 p.m.| at Kentucky| No. 1|

* Commonwealth Stadium
* Lexington, KY (rivalry)

| ESPN2| W 41–7| 71,011
October 10| 8:00 p.m.| at No. 4 LSU| No. 1|

* Tiger Stadium
* Baton Rouge, LA (rivalry, College GameDay)

| CBS| W 13–3| 93,129
October 17| 2:30 pm| Arkansas| No. 1|

* Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
* Gainesville, FL

| CBS| W 23–20| 90,508
October 24| 7:30 p.m.| at Mississippi State| No. 2|

* Davis Wade Stadium
* Starkville, MS

| ESPN| W 29–19| 57,178
October 31| 3:30 p.m.| vs. Georgia| No. 1|

* Jacksonville Municipal Stadium
* Jacksonville, FL (rivalry)

| CBS| W 41–17| 84,604
November 7| 7:15 p.m.| Vanderbilt| No. 1|

* Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
* Gainesville, FL

| ESPN2| W 27–3| 90,694
November 14| 3:30 p.m.| at South Carolina| No. 1|

* Williams–Brice Stadium
* Columbia, SC

| CBS| W 24–14| 79,297
November 21| 12:30 p.m.| FIU*| No. 1|

* Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
* Gainesville, FL

| PPV| W 62–3| 90,473
November 28| 3:30 p.m.| Florida State*| No. 1|

* Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
* Gainesville, FL (rivalry, College GameDay)

| CBS| W 37–10| 90,907
December 5| 4:30 p.m.| vs. No. 2 Alabama| No. 1|

* Georgia Dome
* Atlanta, GA (SEC Championship Game, rivalry,College GameDay)

| CBS| L 13–32| 75,514
January 1, 2010| 8:30 p.m.| vs. No. 4 Cincinnati*| No. 5|

* Louisiana Superdome
* New Orleans, LA (Sugar Bowl)

| FOX| W 51–24| 65,207

* *Non-conference game
* Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

[6][7]

## Rankings

[edit]

See also: 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
( ) = First-place votes| Week

|

Poll| Pre| 1| 2| 3| 4| 5| 6| 7| 8| 9| 10| 11| 12| 13| 14| Final
AP| 1 (58)| 1 (56)| 1 (56)| 1 (55)| 1 (55)| 1 (54)| 1 (50)| 2 (20)| 1 (30)| 1 (38)| 1 (39)| 1 (36)| 1 (36)| 1 (46)| 5| 3
Coaches| 1 (53)| 1 (56)| 1 (56)| 1 (59)| 1 (58)| 1 (57)| 1 (53)| 1 (49)| 1 (46)| 1 (50)| 1 (48)| 1 (48)| 1 (47)| 1 (53)| 5| 3
Harris| Not released| 1 (99)| 1 (97)| 1 (99)| 1 (77)| 1 (75)| 1 (83)| 1 (82)| 1 (78)| 1 (78)| 1 (82)| 5| Not released
BCS| Not released| 1| 1| 1| 1| 1| 1| 1| 5| Not released

## Game summaries

[edit]

### Charleston Southern

[edit]

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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Buccaneers | 0 | 3 | 0| 0| 3
#1 Gators | 14 | 28 | 13| 7| 62

at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Florida

* Date: September 5, 2009
* Game time: 7:00 p.m. ET
* Game weather: 81 °F (27 °C) (Cloudy)
* Game attendance: 90,621
* Referee: Matt Moore
* TV: Sun/FSN

Game information

1st Quarter

* FLA – Jeffery Demps, 8-yard run (Jonathan Phillips kick), 11:05. Gators 7–0.
* FLA – Chris Rainey, 76-yard run (Jonathan Phillips kick), 4:34. Gators 14–0.

2nd Quarter

* FLA – Tim Tebow, 1-yard run (Jonathan Phillips kick), 14:22. Gators 21–0.
* FLA – Jeffery Demps, 23-yard run (Jonathan Phillips kick), 11:39. Gators 28–0.
* FLA – Aaron Hernandez, 28-yard pass from Tim Tebow (Jonathan Phillips kick), 7:55. Gators 35–0.
* CSU – John Paglia 38-yard field goal, 5:37. Gators 35–3.
* FLA – Brandon James 85-yard kickoff yard return (Jonathan Phillips kick), 5:24. Gators 42–3.

3rd Quarter

* FLA – Justin Williams 7-yard pass from John Brantley (PAT failed), 12:39. Gators 48–3.
* FLA – Cade Holliday 9-yard pass from John Brantley (Jonathan Phillips kick), 0:24. Gators 55–3.

4th Quarter

* FLA – Mike Gillislee 7-yard run (Jonathan Philips kick), 9:33. Gators 62–3.

Pregame Line

* Off

|

In the season opener, the Gators met the Charleston Southern Buccaneers in Gainesville. In a game that was never close, the Gators won 62–3. John Brantley threw for 67 yards and 2 touchdowns.

### Troy

[edit]

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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Trojans | 3 | 0 | 3| 0| 6
#1 Gators | 7 | 28 | 14| 7| 56

at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Florida

* Date: September 12, 2009
* Game time: 12:20 p.m. ET
* Game weather: 81 °F (27 °C) (Light rain)
* Game attendance: 90,349
* Referee: Tom Ritter
* TV: SEC Network

Game information

1st Quarter

* FLA – Deonte Thompson, 6-yard pass from Tim Tebow (Jonathan Phillips kick), 6:39. Gators 7–0.
* TROY – Sam Glusman, 45-yard field goal, 0:51. Gators 7–3.

2nd Quarter

* FLA – Riley Cooper, 36-yard pass from Tim Tebow (Jonathan Phillips kick), 11:33. Gators 14–3.
* FLA – Tim Tebow, 4-yard run (Jonathan Phillips kick), 8:04. Gators 21–3.
* FLA – Deonte Thompson, 33-yard pass from Tim Tebow (Jonathan Phillips kick), 7:44. Gators 28–3.
* FLA – Jeffery Demps, 24-yard run (Jonathan Phillips kick), 4:03. Gators 35–3.

3rd Quarter

* FLA – Brandon James, 32-yard pass from Tim Tebow (Jonathan Phillips kick), 12:27. Gators 42–3.
* FLA – Chris Rainey 1-yard run (Caleb Sturgis kick), 8:38. Gators 49–3.
* TROY – Sam Glusman 42-yard field goal, 0:39. Gators 49–6.

4th Quarter

* FLA – Mike Gillislee 6-yard pass from John Brantley (Caleb Sturgis kick), 6:19. Gators 56–6.

Pregame line

* –37

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The Florida Gators met the Troy Trojans in Gainesville, Florida. After a slow start, the Gators scored four times in the second quarter before cruising to a 56–6 victory.

### Tennessee

[edit]

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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Volunteers | 3 | 3 | 0| 7| 13
#1 Gators | 3 | 10 | 10| 0| 23

at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Florida

* Date: September 19, 2009
* Game time: 3:30 p.m. ET
* Game weather: 89 °F (32 °C) (Partly cloudy)
* Game attendance: 90,894
* Referee: Penn Wagers
* TV announcers (CBS): Verne Lundquist (play–by–play), Gary Danielson (color commentator), Tracy Wolfson (sideline reporter)

Game information

1st Quarter

* FLA – Caleb Sturgis, 37-yard field goal, 11:33. Gators 3–0.
* TENN – Daniel Lincoln, 24-yard field goal, 3:00. Tied 3–3.

2nd Quarter

* FLA – Tim Tebow, 1-yard run (Caleb Sturgis kick), 12:48. Gators 10–3.
* TENN – Daniel Lincoln, 20-yard field goal, 5:56. Gators 10–6.
* FLA – Caleb Sturgis, 29-yard field goal, 0:51. Gators 13–6.

3rd Quarter

* FLA – Caleb Sturgis, 35-yard field goal, 9:33. Gators 16–6.
* FLA – Jeffery Demps 7-yard run (Caleb Sturgis kick), 0:07. Gators 23–6.

4th Quarter

* TENN – Montario Hardesty 17-yard run (Daniel Lincoln kick), 8:11. Gators 23–13.

Pregame line

* –30

|

In what may have been the most talked about game all pre-season, the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers met in Gainesville, Florida. Most of the pre-game talk surrounded comments made by Volunteer's head coach Lane Kiffin. The game remained close until the end with the Gators holding on for a 23–13 victory.

### Kentucky

[edit]

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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#1 Gators | 31 | 0 | 3| 7| 41
Wildcats | 0 | 7 | 0| 0| 7

at Commonwealth Stadium, Lexington, Kentucky

* Date: September 26, 2009
* Game time: 6:00 p.m. ET
* Game weather: 70 °F (21 °C) (Mostly cloudy)
* Game attendance: 71,011
* Referee: Steve Shaw
* TV: ESPN2

Scoring Summary

Q  | Team  | Time  | Scoring Play  | Extra Point  | Score
\+  | FLA  | KTY
1  | FLA  | 11:13  | FG  | Caleb Sturgis 32 yd FG  |  | 3  | 3  | 0
FLA  | 7:11  | TD  | Tim Tebow, 3 yd run  | Caleb Sturgis Kick  | 7  | 10  | 0
FLA  | 6:04  | TD  | Chris Rainey, Recovers blocked punt in end zone  | Caleb Sturgis Kick  | 7  | 17  | 0
FLA  | 5:56  | TD  | Tim Tebow, 2 yd run  | Caleb Sturgis Kick  | 7  | 24  | 0
FLA  | 0:00  | TD  | Aaron Hernandez, 44 yd pass from Tim Tebow | Caleb Sturgis Kick  | 7  | 31  | 0
2  | KTY  | 2:44  | TD  | Ross Bogue 2 yd pass from Mike Hartline | Lones Seiber Kick  | 7  | 31  | 7
3  | FLA  | 3:45  | FG  | Caleb Sturgis 32 yd FG  |  | 3  | 34  | 7
4  | FLA  | 6:39  | TD  | Riley Cooper 8 yd pass from John Brantley | Caleb Sturgis Kick  | 7  | 41 | 7

Pregame Line: -20.5

In their first road game of the season, the Florida Gators traveled to Lexington, Kentucky to face the Wildcats. The Gators quickly took at 31–0 lead in the first quarter before going on to win 41–7. The biggest news story to come out of the game was a concussion suffered by Tim Tebow during the third quarter. Tebow spent the night in a Lexington hospital;[8] returning two weeks later for Florida's 13–3 win at LSU.

### LSU

[edit]

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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#1 Gators | 3 | 7 | 0| 3| 13
#4 Tigers | 0 | 3 | 0| 0| 3

at Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

* Date: October 10, 2009
* Game time: 8:00 p.m. ET
* Game weather: 69 °F (21 °C) (Clear)
* Game attendance: 93,129
* Referee: Hubert Owens
* TV announcers (CBS): Verne Lundquist (play–by–play), Gary Danielson (color commentator), Tracy Wolfson (sideline reporter)

Game information

1st Quarter

* FLA – Caleb Sturgis, 28-yard field goal, 3:50. Gators 3–0.

2nd Quarter

* LSU – Josh Jasper, 18-yard field goal, 5:16. Tied 3–3.
* FLA – Riley Cooper, 24-yard pass from Tim Tebow (Caleb Sturgis kick), 0:50. Gators 10–3.

3rd Quarter

* None.

4th Quarter

* FLA – Caleb Sturgis, 32-yard field goal, 7:27. Gators 13–3.

Pregame Line

* –10

Leading passers

* FLA – Tim Tebow – 11/16, 134 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
* LSU – Jordan Jefferson – 11/17, 96 yards, 1 INT

Leading rushers

* FLA – Jeffery Demps – 16 rushes, 86 yards
* LSU – Charles Scott – 13 rushes, 53 yards

Leading receivers

* FLA – Aaron Hernandez – 6 receptions, 70 yards
* LSU – Brandon LaFell – 4 receptions, 44 yards

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### Arkansas

[edit]

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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Razorbacks | 0 | 10 | 3| 7| 20
#1 Gators | 0 | 3 | 10| 10| 23

at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Florida

* Date: October 17, 2009
* Game time: 3:30 p.m. ET
* Game weather: 64 °F (18 °C) (Sunny)
* Game attendance: 90,508
* Referee: Marc Curles
* TV announcers (CBS): Verne Lundquist (play–by–play), Gary Danielson (color commentator), Tracy Wolfson (sideline reporter)

Game information

1st Quarter

* None.

2nd Quarter

* ARK – Broderick Green, 1-yard run (Alex Tejada kick), 3:00. Razorbacks 7–0.
* FLA – Caleb Sturgis, 30-yard field goal, 1:40. Razorbacks 7–3.
* ARK – Alex Tejada, 22-yard field goal, 0:00. Razorbacks 10–3.

3rd Quarter

* FLA – Caleb Sturgis, 51-yard field goal, 10:53. Razorbacks 10–6.
* FLA – Deonte Thompson, 77-yard pass from Tim Tebow (Caleb Sturgis kick), 2:59. Gators 13–10.
* ARK – Alex Tejada, 31-yard field goal, 0:07. Tied 13–13.

4th Quarter

* ARK – Greg Childs, 75-yard pass from Ryan Mallett (Alex Tejada kick), 9:40. Razorbacks 20–13.
* FLA – Jeffery Demps, 10-yard run (Caleb Sturgis kick), 7:27. Tied 20–20.
* FLA – Caleb Sturgis 27-yard field goal, 0:09. Gators 23–20.

Pregame line

* –24.5

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### Mississippi State

[edit]

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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#2 Gators | 3 | 10 | 3| 13| 29
Bulldogs | 3 | 7 | 3| 6| 19

at Davis Wade Stadium, Starkville, Mississippi

* Date: October 24, 2009
* Game time: 7:30 p.m. ET
* Game weather: 60 °F (16 °C) (Clear)
* Game attendance: 57,178
* Referee: Penn Wagers
* TV announcers (ESPN): Brad Nessler (play-by-play), Todd Blackledge (color commentator) & Erin Andrews (sideline reporter)

Pregame Line: -22

Scoring Summary

Q  | Team  | Time  | Scoring Play  | Extra Point  | Score
\+  | FLA  | MSU
1  | MSU  | 9:05  | FG  | Derek DePasquale 43 yd FG  |  | 3  | 0  | 3
FLA  | 3:36  | FG  | Caleb Sturgis 21 yd FG  |  | 3  | 3  | 3
2  | FLA  | 13:16  | TD  | Tim Tebow, 26 yd run  | Caleb Sturgis Kick  | 7  | 10  | 3
FLA  | 7:15  | FG  | Caleb Sturgis, 21 yd FG  |  | 3  | 13  | 3
MSU  | 0:27  | TD  | Johnthan Banks, 100 yd interception return  | Derek Depasquale Kick  | 7  | 13  | 10
3  | MSU  | 9:32  | FG  | Derek Depasquale 31 yd FG  |  | 3  | 13  | 13
FLA  | 5:15  | FG  | Caleb Sturgis 27 yd FG  |  | 3  | 16  | 13
4  | FLA  | 9:08  | TD  | Chris Rainey 8 yd run  | FAILED  | 6  | 22  | 13
FLA  | 8:25  | TD  | Dustin Doe, 23 yd interception return  | Caleb Sturgis Kick  | 7  | 29  | 13
MSU  | 3:51  | FG  | Johnthan Banks, 20 yd interception return  | 2PT FAILED  | 6  | 29 | 19

### Georgia

[edit]

Further information: Florida–Georgia football rivalry

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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Bulldogs | 0 | 10 | 7| 0| 17
#1 Gators | 14 | 10 | 7| 10| 41

at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida

* Date: October 31, 2009
* Game time: 3:30 p.m. ET
* Game weather: 84 °F (29 °C) (Partly cloudy)
* Game attendance: 84,604
* Referee: Tom Ritter
* TV announcers (CBS): Verne Lundquist (play–by–play), Gary Danielson (color commentator), Tracy Wolfson (sideline reporter)

Pregame Line: -16

Scoring Summary

Q  | Team  | Time  | Scoring Play  | Extra Point  | Score
\+  | UGA  | FLA
1  | FLA  | 12:21  | TD  | Riley Cooper, 22 yd pass from Tim Tebow | Caleb Sturgis Kick  | 7  | 0  | 7
FLA  | 3:20  | TD  | Riley Cooper, 29 yd pass from Tim Tebow | Caleb Sturgis Kick  | 7  | 0  | 14
2  | UGA  | 13:45  | FG  | Blair Walsh 49 yd FG  |  | 3  | 3  | 14
UGA  | 10:40  | TD  | Aron White, 26 yd pass from Joe Cox | Blair Walsh Kick  | 7  | 10  | 14
FLA  | 4:47  | FG  | Caleb Sturgis 56 yd FG  |  | 3  | 10  | 17
FLA  | 1:32  | TD  | Tim Tebow, 23 yd run  | Caleb Sturgis Kick  | 7  | 10  | 24
3  | FLA  | 13:30  | TD  | Tim Tebow, 5 yd run  | Caleb Sturgis Kick  | 7  | 10  | 31
UGA  | 6:17  | TD  | Michael Moore, 4 yd pass from Joe Cox | Blair Walsh Kick  | 7  | 17  | 31
4  | FLA  | 7:42  | FG  | Caleb Sturgis 44 yd FG  |  | 3  | 17  | 34
FLA  | 6:24  | TD  | Brandon Spikes, 5 yd interception return  | Caleb Sturgis Kick  | 7  | 17 | 41

### Vanderbilt

[edit]

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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Commodores | 0 | 0 | 3| 0| 3
#1 Gators | 3 | 10 | 7| 7| 27

at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Florida

* Date: November 7, 2009
* Game time: 7:15 p.m. ET
* Game weather: 67 °F (19 °C) (Clear)
* Game attendance: 90,694
* Referee: Steve Shaw
* TV: ESPN2

Pregame Line: -35

Scoring Summary

Q  | Team  | Time  | Scoring Play  | Extra Point  | Score
\+  | VAN  | FLA
1  | FLA  | 1:00  | FG  | Caleb Sturgis, 27 yd FG  |  | 3  | 0  | 3
2  | FLA  | 12:43  | TD  | Jeffery Demps, 25 yd run  | Caleb Sturgis Kick  | 7  | 0  | 10
FLA  | 6:08  | FG  | Caleb Sturgis 45 yd FG  |  | 3  | 0  | 13
3  | VAN  | 8:40  | FG  | Ryan Fowler, 32 yd FG  |  | 3  | 3  | 13
FLA  | 1:52  | TD  | Tim Tebow, 1 yd run  | Caleb Sturgis Kick  | 7  | 3  | 20
4  | FLA  | 1:32  | TD  | David Nelson, 8 yd pass from Tim Tebow | Caleb Sturgis Kick  | 7  | 3 | 27

### South Carolina

[edit]

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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#1 Gators | 10 | 7 | 0| 7| 24
Gamecocks | 7 | 7 | 0| 0| 14

at Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, South Carolina

* Date: November 14, 2009
* Game time: 3:30 p.m.
* Game weather: 73 °F (23 °C) (Sunny)
* Game attendance: 79,297
* Referee: Hubert Owens
* TV announcers (CBS): Verne Lundquist (play–by–play), Gary Danielson (color commentator), Tracy Wolfson (sideline reporter)

Pregame Line: -17.5

Scoring Summary

Q  | Team  | Time  | Scoring Play  | Extra Point  | Score
\+  | FLA  | SC
1  | FLA  | 12:04  | FG  | Riley Cooper, 68 yd pass from Tim Tebow | Caleb Sturgis Kick  | 7  | 7  | 0
SC  | 5:51  | TD  | Brian Maddox, 1 yd run  | Spencer Lanning Kick  | 7  | 7  | 7
FLA  | 1:18  | FG  | Caleb Sturgis, 32 yd FG  |  | 3  | 10  | 7
2  | FLA  | 10:28  | TD  | Emmanuel Moody, 17 yd run  | Caleb Sturgis Kick  | 7  | 17  | 7
SC  | 2:10  | TD  | Weslye Saunders 9 yd pass from Stephen Garcia | Spencer Lanning Kick  | 7  | 17  | 14
3  | No scoring in 3rd Quarter
4  | FLA  | 13:25  | TD  | Tim Tebow 1 yd run  | Caleb Sturgis Kick  | 7  | 24 | 14

### Florida International

[edit]

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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Golden Panthers | 0 | 3 | 0| 0| 3
#1 Gators | 14 | 21 | 14| 13| 62

at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Florida

* Date: November 21, 2009
* Game time: 12:30 p.m. ET
* Game weather: 71 °F (22 °C) (Sunny)
* Game attendance: 90,473
* Referee: Hubert Owens
* TV: PPV

Pregame Line: -45

Scoring Summary

Q  | Team  | Time  | Scoring Play  | Extra Point  | Score
\+  | FIU  | FLA
1  | FLA  | 13:10  | TD  | Brandon Spikes, 41 yd interception return  | Caleb Sturgis Kick  | 7  | 0  | 7
FLA  | 9:18  | TD  | Tim Tebow, 55 yd run  | Caleb Sturgis Kick  | 7  | 0  | 14
2  | FLA  | 13:39  | TD  | Chris Rainey, 27 yd pass from Tim Tebow | Caleb Sturgis Kick  | 7  | 0  | 21
FLA  | 9:41  | TD  | Chris Rainey, 22 yd run  | Caleb Sturgis Kick  | 7  | 0  | 28
FLA  | 1:38  | TD  | Jeffery Demps, 3 yd run  | Caleb Sturgis Kick  | 7  | 0  | 35
FIU  | 0:29  | FG  | Dustin Rivest 37 yd FG  |  | 3  | 3  | 35
3  | FLA  | 13:38  | TD  | Riley Cooper, 18 yd pass from Tim Tebow | Caleb Sturgis Kick  | 7  | 3  | 42
FLA  | 4:06  | TD  | Omarius Hines 20 yd pass from John Brantley | Caleb Sturgis Kick  | 7  | 3  | 49
4  | FLA  | 11:10  | TD  | Justin Williams, 16 yd pass from John Brantley | Caleb Sturgis Kick  | 7  | 3  | 56
FLA  | 2:28  | TD  | Frankie Hammond Jr. 31 yd pass from John Brantley | PAT Blocked  | 6  | 3 | 62

### Florida State

[edit]

Further information: Florida–Florida State football rivalry

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

|
|
|
|
|

Seminoles | 0 | 0 | 3| 7| 10
#1 Gators | 7 | 17 | 6| 7| 37

at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Florida

* Date: November 28, 2009
* Game time: 3:30 p.m. ET
* Game weather: 65 °F (18 °C) (Partly cloudy)
* Game attendance: 90,907
* Referee: Matt Austin
* TV announcers (CBS): Verne Lundquist (play–by–play), Gary Danielson (color commentator), Tracy Wolfson (sideline reporter)

Game information

1st Quarter

* FLA – Aaron Hernandez, 18-yard pass from Tim Tebow (Caleb Sturgis kick), 6:48. Gators 7–0.

2nd Quarter

* FLA – Caleb Sturgis, 37-yard field goal, 14:55. Gators 10–0.
* FLA – Tim Tebow, 18-yard run (Caleb Sturgis kick), 3:59. Gators 17–0.
* FLA – Aaron Hernandez, 37-yard pass from Tim Tebow (Caleb Sturgis kick), 1:07. Gators 24–0.

3rd Quarter

* FLA – Riley Cooper, 39-yard pass from Tim Tebow (PAT blocked), 11:27. Gators 30–0.
* FSU – Dustin Hopkins, 20-yard field goal, 0:00. Gators 30–3.

4th Quarter

* FLA – Tim Tebow, 1-yard run (Caleb Sturgis kick), 10:18. Gators 37–3.
* FSU – Jarmon Fortson, 9-yard pass from E. J. Manuel (Dustin Hopkins kick), 8:11. Gators 37–10.

Pregame line

* –24.5

|

In the regular season finale, the Gators blew by the Seminoles 37–10. A new attendance record at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium was set with 90,907 present.[9]

### SEC Championship Game vs. Alabama

[edit]

Main article: 2009 SEC Championship Game

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

|
|
|
|
|

#1 Gators | 3 | 10 | 0| 0| 13
#2 Crimson Tide | 9 | 10 | 7| 6| 32

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta

* Date: December 5, 2009
* Game time: 4:00 p.m. ET
* Game weather: None (Domed stadium)
* Game attendance: 75,514
* Referee: Matt Austin
* TV announcers (CBS): Verne Lundquist (play–by–play), Gary Danielson (color commentator), Tracy Wolfson (sideline reporter)

Game information

1st Quarter

* ALA – Leigh Tiffin, 48-yard field goal, 10:37. Crimson Tide 3–0.
* ALA – Mark Ingram II, 7-yard run (PAT failed), 5:33. Crimson Tide 9–0.
* FLA – Caleb Sturgis, 48-yard field goal, 0:28. Crimson Tide 9–3.

2nd Quarter

* ALA – Leigh Tiffin, 34-yard field goal, 6:03. Crimson Tide 12–3.
* FLA – David Nelson, 23-yard pass from Tim Tebow (Caleb Sturgis kick), 4:31. Crimson Tide 12–10.
* ALA – Mark Ingram, 3-yard run (Leigh Tiffin kick), 3:32. Crimson Tide 19–10.
* FLA – Caleb Sturgis 32-yard field goal, 1:18. Crimson Tide 19–13.

3rd Quarter

* ALA – Colin Peek 17-yard pass from Greg McElroy (Leigh Tiffin kick), 9:53. Crimson Tide 26–13.

4th Quarter

* ALA – Mark Ingram 1-yard run (2PT attempt failed), 13:49. Crimson Tide 32–13.

Pregame Line

* –5.0

Leading passers

* FLA – Tim Tebow – 20/35, 247 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
* ALA – Greg McElroy – 12/18, 239 yards, 1 TD

Leading rushers

* FLA – Tim Tebow – 10 rushes, 63 yards
* ALA – Mark Ingram II – 28 rushes, 113 yards, 3 TD

Leading receivers

* FLA – Aaron Hernandez – 8 receptions, 85 yards
* ALA – Marquis Maze – 5 receptions, 96 yards

|

In a rematch of last year's SEC Championship Game, the Crimson Tide handed the Gators their only loss of the season. Alabama running back Mark Ingram II scored three touchdowns in the 32–13 win.

### Sugar Bowl vs. Cincinnati

[edit]

Main article: 2010 Sugar Bowl

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

|
|
|
|
|

#5 Gators | 9 | 21 | 14| 7| 51
#4 Bearcats | 0 | 3 | 7| 14| 24

at Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

* Date: January 1, 2010
* Game time: 8:30 p.m. ET
* Game weather: None (Domed stadium)
* Game attendance: 65, 207
* Referee: Jack Folliard (Pac-10)
* TV announcers (Fox): Thom Brennaman (play–by–play), Brian Billick (color commentator)

## Personnel

[edit]

### Depth chart

[edit]

(revised 12-2–09)

Defense

| S

Will Hill
Dee Finley
| FS

Major Wright
Josh Evans

| WLB | MLB | SLB

|
|

⋅ | Brandon Spikes | ⋅
Jelani Jenkins | Brandon Beal  | ⋅
| SS

Ahmad Black
Will Hill
| CB

Joe Haden
Markihe Anderson

| DE | NT | DE

|
|

Jermaine Cunningham | Jaye Howard  | Carlos Dunlap
William Green  | Justin Trattou | Justin Trattou
|  | CB

Janoris Jenkins
Wondy Pierre-Louis

Offense

| WR

Riley Cooper
Justin Williams
| WR

Deonte Thompson
Frankie Hammond, Jr.
| LT | LG | C | RG | RT

|
|
|
|

Carl Johnson  | James Wilson  | Maurkice Pouncey | Mike Pouncey | Marcus Gilbert
Matt Patchan  | Corey Hobbs  | Sam Robey  | Maurice Hurt | David Young
| TE

Aaron Hernandez
Josh Postell
| WR

David Nelson
Omarius Hines
|  | QB

Tim Tebow
John Brantley
| Key reserves

KR Chris Rainey
QB Jordan Reed
TB Emmanuel Moody

|  |  | RB

Jeff Demps
Chris Rainey
| Special teams

PK Jonathan Phillips
PK Caleb Sturgis
P Chas Henry
P David Lerner
KR Brandon James
PR Brandon James
H Chas Henry
|  |

### Roster

[edit]

2009 Florida Gators roster

Quarterbacks

* 12 John Brantley –  Sophomore
* 14 Andrew Blaylock –  Junior
* 15 Tim Tebow – Senior
* 16 Jordan Reed – Freshman

Running backs

* 3 Chris Rainey –  Sophomore
* 21 Emmanuel Moody –  Junior
* 23 Mike Gillislee – Freshman
* 29 Christopher Scott –  Junior
* 37 Vincent Brown –  Sophomore
* 44 Ean McQuay –  Sophomore
* 48 Marquis Hannah –  Junior

Athlete

* 2 Jeff Demps – Sophomore
* 25 Brandon James – Senior

Fullbacks

* 37 Marcus Nemeth – Freshman
* 42 Steven Wilks –  Sophomore
* 45 T.J. Pridemore –  Freshman
* 48 Rick Burgess – Senior

Wide receivers

* 3 Brandon Frazier –  Junior
* 4 Andre Debose –  Freshman
* 6 Deonte Thompson –  Sophomore
* 7 Justin Williams –  Junior
* 9 Carl Moore – Senior
* 11 Riley Cooper – Senior
* 18 T.J. Lawrence –  Freshman
* 22 Cade Holliday –  Senior
* 39 Joey Sorrentino –  Senior
* 82 Omarius Hines –  Freshman
* 83 David Nelson –  Senior
* 85 Frankie Hammond Jr. –  Freshman
* 89 Stephen Alli – Freshman

Tight ends

* 80 Desmond Parks – Freshman
* 81 Aaron Hernandez – Junior
* 84 Christopher Coleman –  Senior
* 87 Josh Postell –  Freshman

|  |

Offensive line

* 50 Sam Robey –  Freshman
* 55 Mike Pouncey – Junior
* 56 Maurkice Pouncey – Junior
* 57 Carl Johnson –  Junior
* 58 Nick Alajajian – Freshman
* 58 Christopher Guido – Freshman
* 60 William Steinmann – Sophomore
* 61 Gary Beemer –  Junior
* 62 Hayden Chance – Freshamn
* 63 Cole Gilliam – Freshman
* 64 Kyle Koehne – Freshman
* 66 James Wilson –  Sophomore
* 67 Jon Halapio – Freshman
* 70 Shawn Schmieder –  Junior
* 71 Matt Patchan – Sophomore
* 72 Jonotthan Harrison – Freshman
* 73 Xavier Nixon – Freshman
* 74 Maurice Hurt –  Junior
* 76 Marcus Gilbert –  Junior
* 78 David Young –  Freshman
* 79 Corey Hobbs –  Junior

Defensive line

* 6 Jaye Howard –  Sophomore
* 8 Carlos Dunlap – Junior
* 34 Lerentee McCray – Sophomore
* 44 Duke Lemmens – Junior
* 47 Brandon Antwine –  Junior
* 49 Jermaine Cunningham – Senior
* 57 Samuel Johnson –  Freshman
* 62 Lamar Abel –  Sophomore
* 65 Glen Watson –  Freshman
* 90 Lawrence Marsh –  Junior
* 91 Earl Okine –  Freshman
* 93 Kedric Johnson – Freshman
* 94 Justin Trattou – Junior
* 95 Gary Brown – Freshman
* 96 William Green – Sophomore
* 97 Edwin Herbert – Junior
* 98 Troy Epps – Senior
* 99 Omar Hunter –  Freshman

|  |

Linebackers

* 16 A.J. Jones –  Junior
* 26 Lorenzo Edwards – Junior
* 30 Chris Pintano –  Junior
* 32 Dustin Doe – Senior
* 33 Scott Peek –  Freshman
* 40 Brandon Hicks – Junior
* 41 Ryan Stamper –  Senior
* 43 Jelani Jenkins – Freshman
* 46 Michael Ross –  Freshman
* 51 Brandon Spikes – Senior
* 52 Jon Bostic – Freshman
* 54 Brandon Beal – Sophomore

Defensive backs

* 23 Corey Henderson –  Sophomore
* 24 Josh Evans – Freshman
* 34 Reginald Hopkins –  Sophomore
* 42 Miguel Carodine –  Junior

Cornerbacks

* 1 Janoris Jenkins – Sophomore
* 4 Wondy Pierre-Louis – Senior
* 5 Joe Haden – Junior
* 14 Markihe Anderson – Senior
* 27 Adrian Bushell –  Freshman
* 28 Jeremy Brown – Freshman
* 36 Moses Jenkins – Junior

|  |

Safeties

* 10 Will Hill – Sophomore
* 13 Dee Finley – Freshman
* 20 Dorian Munroe –  Senior
* 21 Major Wright – Junior
* 35 Ahmad Black – Junior
* 46 Cody Worton –  Junior

Punters

* 17 Chas Henry – Junior
* 40 David Lerner –  Freshman

Kickers

* 19 Caleb Sturgis – Sophomore
* 38 Jonathan Phillips –  Senior

Long snappers

* 47 John Crofoot – Freshman
* 50 Cody Hampton –  Freshman
* 53 Mike Williamson –  Senior
* 58 Christopher Guido – Freshman
* 59 John Fairbanks –  Junior

### Coaching staff

[edit]

2009 Florida Gators coaching staff

Head Coach: Urban Meyer

Offensive coaches

* Assistant head coach/offensive coordinator/offensive line: Steve Addazio
* Quarterbacks: Scot Loeffler
* Running backs: Kenny Carter
* Wide receivers/recruiting coordinator: Billy Gonzales
* Tight ends: Brian White

Defensive coaches

* Associate head coach/defensive coordinator/linebackers: Charlie Strong
* Assistant defensive coordinator/safeties: Chuck Heater
* Assistant head coach/defensive line: Dan McCarney
* Cornerbacks: Vance Bedford

[10]

## Statistics

[edit]

### Team

[edit]

|  | Gators | Opponents

|
|

Scoring | 502 | 174
Points per game | 35.9 | 12.4
First Downs | 314 | 208
Rushing | 158 | 84
Passing | 142 | 103
Penalty | 14 | 21
Total Offense | 6410 | 3536
Avg per play | 7.0 | 4.2
Avg per game | 457.9 | 252.6
Fumbles–Lost | 17–11 | 19–3
Penalties–Yards | 95–735 | 78–638
Avg per game | 52.5 | 45.6
|  | Gators | Opponents

|
|

Punts–Yards | 34–1,476 | 81–3,253
Avg per punt | 43.4 | 40.2
Time of Possession/Game | 30:45 | 29:15
3rd Down Conversions | 87/177 | 58/194
4th Down Conversions | 11/17 | 11/22
Touchdowns scored | 63 | 18
Field Goals–Attempts | 22–31 | 17–21
PAT–Attempts | 58–63 | 15–16
Total Attendance | 634,446 | 300,615
Games/Avg per Game | 7/90,635 | 7/75,131

### Scores by quarter

[edit]

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

|
|
|
|
|

Opponents | 25 | 63 | 22| 27| 137
Gators | 112 | 164 | 87| 91| 454

### Offense

[edit]

#### Rushing

[edit]

Name | CAR | YDS | YPC | Long | TD

|
|
|
|
|

Tebow | 217 | 910 | 4.2 | 55 | 14
Demps | 99 | 745 | 7.5 | 62 | 7
Rainey | 89 | 575 | 6.5 | 76 | 5
Moody | 58 | 378 | 6.5 | 32 | 3
Gillislee | 31 | 267 | 8.6 | 52 | 1
James | 20 | 109 | 5.4 | 25 | 0
Brantley | 13 | 67 | 5.2 | 23 | 0
Scott | 9 | 26 | 2.9 | 13 | 0
Hernandez | 1 | 16 | 16.0 | 16 | 0
Cooper | 1 | 14 | 14.0 | 14 | 0
Blaylock | 4 | 6 | 1.5 | 9 | 0
Brown | 3 | 1 | 0.3 | 2 | 0
Thompson | 1 | -2 | -2.0 | 0 | 0
Total | 555 | 3,105 | 5.6 | 76 | 30
Opponents | 449 | 1,397 | 3.1 | 42 | 6

#### Passing

[edit]

Name | GP-GS | Cmp-Att-Int | Pct | Yds | TD

|
|
|
|
|

Tebow | 14–14 | 213-314-5 | 67.8% | 2,895 | 21
Brantley | 7–0 | 36–48–0 | 75% | 410 | 7
Cooper | 14–0 | 0-1-0 | 0% | 0 | 0
Total |  | 249-364-5 | 68.4% | 3,305 | 28
Opponents |  | 208-396-20 | 52.5% | 2,139 | 10

#### Receiving

[edit]

Name | REC | YDS | YPR | Long | TD

|
|
|
|
|

Hernandez | 68 | 850 | 12.5 | 64 | 5
Cooper | 51 | 961 | 18.8 | 80 | 9
Nelson | 25 | 291 | 11.6 | 30 | 2
Thompson | 24 | 343 | 14.3 | 77 | 4
James | 24 | 215 | 9.0 | 32 | 1
Hines | 14 | 172 | 12.3 | 25 | 1
Rainey | 10 | 161 | 16.1 | 33 | 1
Demps | 8 | 52 | 6.5 | 11 | 0
Moody | 8 | 45 | 5.6 | 18 | 0
Holliday | 6 | 102 | 17.0 | 33 | 1
Williams | 6 | 50 | 8.3 | 16 | 2
Hammond | 4 | 57 | 14.2 | 31 | 1
Gillislee | 1 | 6 | 6.0 | 6 | 1
Total | 249 | 3,305 | 13.3 | 80 | 28
Opponents | 208 | 2,139 | 10.3 | 75 | 10

## Players drafted into the NFL

[edit]

See also: 2010 NFL draft

Round  | Pick  | Player  | Position  | NFL club

|
|
|
|

1 | 7 | Joe Haden | CB | Cleveland Browns
1 | 18 | Maurkice Pouncey | C | Pittsburgh Steelers
1 | 25 | Tim Tebow | QB | Denver Broncos
2 | 53 | Jermaine Cunningham | DE | New England Patriots
2 | 54 | Carlos Dunlap | DE | Cincinnati Bengals
2 | 62 | Brandon Spikes | LB | New England Patriots
3 | 75 | Major Wright | S | Chicago Bears
4 | 113 | Aaron Hernandez | TE | New England Patriots
5 | 159 | Riley Cooper | WR | Philadelphia Eagles

## References

[edit]

1. ^ University of Florida Sports Information Department. "Florida 2009 Media Guide" (PDF). floridagators.com. University Athletic Association, Inc. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
2. ^ "UF's Urban Meyer Steps Down as Head Football Coach". Archived from the original on January 2, 2010. Retrieved December 27, 2009.
3. ^ "Tebow wants to do it all over again". ESPN.com. January 11, 2009. Archived from the original on August 3, 2009. Retrieved January 11, 2009.
4. ^ Gators are No. 1 in AP preseason Top 25 poll
5. ^ "Gators shrug off top ranking in preseason coaches' poll". Archived from the original on October 2, 2012. Retrieved September 6, 2009.
6. ^ 2012 Florida Football Media Guide Archived 2013-05-27 at the Wayback Machine, University Athletic Association, Gainesville, Florida, pp. 114 & 116 (2012). Retrieved September 16, 2012.
7. ^ GatorZone.com, Football, History, Florida Football 2009 Archived 2012-05-02 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 25, 2011.
8. ^ "Florida Gators QB Tim Tebow taken to hospital after hard sack". ESPN.
9. ^ "Gatorzone.com: No. 1 Florida Defeats FSU, 37–10, on Senior Day". Archived from the original on December 2, 2009. Retrieved November 29, 2009.
10. ^ "2009 University of Florida Football Roster and Coaches". Archived from the original on July 5, 2009. Retrieved July 5, 2009.

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