No. 4 Gators credit win streak to humbling loss

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) - Florida's turning point came just after a 31-30 home loss to Mississippi in September.

Quarterback Tim Tebow stood behind a podium, choked back tears and promised something good would come from the setback. Coaches demanded more in an emotional team meeting a day later.

The Gators responded better than anyone, even Tebow, expected.

No. 4 Florida has won its last four games, outscoring Arkansas, LSU, Kentucky and Georgia 201-43 and putting itself on the verge of the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division title.

"I don't know if it was something that finally clicked," Tebow said. "It's a different mentality. It's almost playing with anger, somewhat, playing with intensity, playing with passion.

"You can only go so far with natural ability. Intensity and passion and love of the game, that's what takes you to the next level. We've kind of gotten to that next level."

The Gators (7-1, 5-1) can clinch a spot in the SEC title game Saturday at Vanderbilt (5-3, 3-2), which has lost three in a row this season and 17 straight in this series. They also might want to thank the Rebels for helping them get in this position.

"Ole Miss was a great thing that happened to us, because now we're refocused and not overlooking anybody," receiver Louis Murphy said.

In the four-game winning streak, the Gators averaged 50 points and 452 yards of offense. In the first four games (Hawaii, Miami, Tennessee and Ole Miss), Florida averaged 35.5 points and 359 yards and rarely looked like the juggernaut everyone expected heading into the season.

Coach Urban Meyer credits the turnaround to maturity. He believes talent can get you seven wins. Talent and discipline can get you eight. But for one of those really special seasons, you need something more.

"If you start getting a little leadership, good things will happen," Meyer said.

Tebow showed plenty of that following Florida's loss, putting it all on his shoulders and vowing that he and his teammates would play harder than anyone in the country the rest of the season.

The coaching staff delivered a more stern message the next day, calling out players for not doing their part and letting everyone around them down.