Tebow, Gators get help from defense, special teams

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) -Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow spent the first three quarters against Miami scrambling right and left, backpedaling early and often, making off-balance throws and having to break tackles for every precious yard.

His linemen were getting whipped, his running backs were struggling to find holes and the offense was looking downright inept.

Florida's defense and special teams were having much more success.

The fourth-ranked Gators (2-0) got another strong outing from those much-less-hyped units in Saturday night's 26-3 victory against the Hurricanes, a win that snapped a six-game losing streak that spanned 23 years in the on-again, off-again series.

"I was probably like everybody else that first half. You're like, 'What in the world?"' coach Urban Meyer said. "Our defense was playing well, our special teams was playing well and our offense was just out of synch a little bit."

The defense was stout all night, stuffing the run, blanketing receivers and sacking Robert Marve three times. The Gators allowed just 140 total yards.

The unit was nearly as good in last week's 56-10 victory against Hawaii, forcing six turnovers, getting four sacks and scoring twice on interception returns.

"That's really two weeks in a row," Meyer said. "The best thing we have going for our defense right now is if you don't go hard, you stand out like a sore thumb and you won't play. Coach (Charlie) Strong and the staff are doing a heck of a job coaching it, teaching it. And they're playing with a little bit of a chip on their shoulder."

Florida's defense was the team's biggest weakness last season, giving up big yardage on the ground and even more through the air.

The defenders also were reminded throughout spring, summer and fall practices about late collapses against LSU, Auburn, Georgia and Michigan.

"This offseason, we went hard as far as the defense, the D-line," linebacker Brandon Spikes said. "We were getting on guys, and those guys just took it as a challenge. We wanted to come out and play well on defense. Last year, we kind of tried to depend on our offense to do things. This year, we're just taking it as a challenge and doing our jobs."

Florida's special teams did their jobs last season, but have been even better to start 2008.

The Gators returned a punt for a touchdown against Hawaii, and special teams helped create three scores against Miami.