All right. Floridian reptiles of the SEC and Midwestern man-shaped creatures of the Big 12 dove into Dolphin Stadium in Miami for four rounds of last-spandexed-prolate-spheroid-clutching-collegiate standing in front of a full house. Televised on Fox, the first quarter churned to the nine minute mark when Gators quarterback Tim Tebow threw the ball and Sooners defensive back Nic Harris snatched it from flight. No score.
SWEET PEAS in a platter of eggplant. The second quarter darted off Tim Tebow struggling to find a receiver. When he finally found a target, he let loose, and the ball got into the hands of wide receiver Louis Murphy, who then stumbled and staggered a bit amidst a few Sooners towards the end zone. His body broke the plane, he hit the turf, the ball popped out of his hands and back onto the field. It was ruled a touchdown. Florida 7 and Oklahoma 0. How did the Sooners react? Quarterback Sam Bradford shuttled the ball to tight end Jermaine Gresham for a TD. Both teams 7. Halfway through the quarter, Tebow threw another interception…into the welcoming bosom of Sooners defensive tackle Gerald McCoy.
Although the Midwesterners were able to get down to ten yards within the end zone, Florida’s defense got in the way. With about three minutes left to play, Tebow threw the ball to running back Chris Rainey for yards (his right knee/calf got mangled by one of the Sooners). The moshpit bottom of the first half had the Sooners back in the red zone for what could’ve been a touchdown. But, wide receiver Manuel Johnson was unable to keep his hold on the ball. Gators safety Ahmad Black and linebacker Ryan Stamper kept the ball alive, and then safety Major Wright caught the ball.
The third quarter saw its first substantial breath of dramatic air with roughly five minutes left on the clock when Tebow connected with running back Jeffrey Demps, who made it a couple yards from the goal line. A couple plays later, running wide back receiver Percy Harvin got the ball into the end zone. Florida 14 and Oklahoma 7. Sooners kicker Jimmy Stevens attempted a forty-nine yard field goal…or attempted to attempt. The Gators put a stop to the projectile seconds after release.
The top of the fourth quarter said hello to the Sooners tying the score, thanks to Jermaine Gresham’s stride into the end zone. 14 a piece. The Gators retaliated shortly thereafter with Percy Harvin running fifty-two yards. Gators kicker Jonathan Phillips made a twenty-seven yard field goal, giving his team the top bunk again. Florida 17 and Oklahoma 14. When the Sooners got the ball back, Ahmad Black intercepted Bradford on the fourth play. And then there were four minutes left in the game. The Gators were in the red zone; Tim Tebow let the ball go almost as if he were dunking a basketball, and wide receiver David Nelson made a TD catch. Florida 24 and Oklahoma 14. Final score…but not after the referee was taken down during the third-to-last snap of the game. And then the camera cut straight to an extreme close-up of Sooners head coach Bob Stoops looking screen-left.
The Gators have won the 2009 BCS Championship.
Observations & Miscellania:
1. Both bands had a turn on the field before kickoff.
2. Tom Brennaman and Charles Davis were the commentators.
3. Yolanda Adams sang the national anthem. C’etait pas mal.
4. The Gators wore white jerseys and white pants. J’adore.
5. Oklahoma won the coin toss and took the field first on offense.
6. Although both teams are familiar with the BCS stomping grounds, tonight was the first time they had played each other. Vraiment?
7. There was so much orange and blue in the crowds–made me think of Gulf. Does anyone remember Gulf gas stations?
8. Fox Sports debuted a hexangle camera set-up for the online broadcast in which viewers could play producer/director and choose the angles s/he would like to watch the game online. I tried to check it out but it took quite a bit of time to load. I saw that there was a cable cam, an Oklahoma Band, a Florida Band, and a quarterback cam.
9. Robert Kraft and Bill Belichick were at the game.
10. I cannot emphasize it enough: I love it when football players chew on their mouth guards.
11. Chris Leak was on the Gators sidelines.
12. Percy Harvin has a great figure.
13. The fourth quarter field goal that gave Florida the 17 to 14 lead could’ve been a touchdown. Tim Tebow thought he heard a whistle blow on the play prior to the snap (3rd and 6 on OK 10), and thus drifted backwards and tossed the ball away. Are noise-makers and whistles going to be prohibited from henceforth?
14. David Nelson’s fourth quarter TD catch was preceded five plays earlier by an amazing twenty-nine yard catch.
15. After Chris Myers talked to Percy Harvin, the camera cut to an extreme close-up of a female Sooners fan, probably a student. On her right cheek was the OU logo; on her left cheek…a trail of a tear.
Get game summary, stats, and play-by-play here.
Sitting Pugs: Sports Movies 
Another miscellaneous fact: The game was officiated by an ACC crew and the lead ref was the first ever African-American to lead an officiating crew in a national championship game.
Interesting.
13. The fourth quarter field goal that gave Florida the 17 to 14 lead could’ve been a touchdown. Tim Tebow thought he heard a whistle blow on the play prior to the snap (3rd and 6 on OK 10), and thus drifted backwards and tossed the ball away. Are noise-makers and whistles going to be prohibited from henceforth?
excellent point and this is the first time i have seen that play addressed. you should look up a play at the warriors-jazz game two nights ago. mehmet okur stripped ronnie turiaf and a fan blew a whistle. everyone stopped except kyle korver, who got a free breakaway dunk. the fan was escorted out.
also, referencing the trail of tears = cold. but i love it.
great post.
sk.
Hey scottykimberly,
Thanks for stopping by and leaving your hand prints.
Just curious, how did you come across my Sitting Pugs? By chance? google image search?
Now you’ve got me reminiscing about old gas stations in the UK, Regent, National….National used to have a picture of the Quicksilver dude, Mercury, on their logo so man in car goes ‘ooh, their logo has ancient mythological fast guy on it, their petrol must make my old Ford really fly.” Evidently this marketing strategy failed, they disappeared in the late 60’s.
There was Gulf gas station near the house I lived in as a kid. I remember many mornings & evenings in the back seat of the station wagon as my mom or dad got gas. The only thing about that gas station I remember was their big sign. Big and high. er tall.