Costly interception ends Tebow’s comeback bid

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ATLANTA (AP)—When Tim Tebow’s bid for a third national championship ended, the tears of disappointment streamed down his face for all to see.

The high definition video boards at the Georgia Dome showed the Florida quarterback breaking down. Tebow stood helplessly watching the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrate as the final seconds counted down in the Crimson Tide’s 32-13 victory in Saturday night’s Southeastern Conference championship game.

“Obviously, I’m emotional, as you can see, after games,” Tebow said. “It means a lot to me.”

Tebow returned to Florida for his senior year with the intention of leading the Gators to another national championship. Perfection was his goal. He said he wanted to be a part of Florida’s first undefeated season.

It wasn’t to be.

And Tebow seemed to know when the curtain came down on Florida’s unbeaten streak and likely his chances for a second Heisman Trophy.

It was an early fourth-quarter interception in the end zone.

Tebow had led the Gators down the field and Florida appeared ready to score, fueling momentum for a possible comeback bid. With the ball at Alabama’s 6, Tebow was looking for his tight end, Aaron Hernandez in the end zone, but Alabama’s Javier Arenas picked off the pass.

After the errant throw, a dejected Tebow jerked his chin straps off his helmet, then lingered on the field as the replay played inside the Georgia Dome. He then slowly walked back to the Florida sideline.

Tebow accepted responsibility for the miscue.

“I thought I could fit it in there,” said Tebow of his attempted zip pass. “I should have tried to get it over his head. (Arenas) did a good job. … It was a good play by him and a bad decision by me.”

Florida coach Urban Meyer, who hurled his headset to the ground after the turnover, approached Tebow on the sideline and offered a reassuring pat on his quarterback’s rear end.

The coach briefly consoled the quarterback before Tebow was left standing alone, staring at the field during a long timeout.

“He just said ‘Keep your head up, you’re a great player,”’ Tebow said. “‘You’ve had a great career, and just keep your head up and don’t change who you are.’ That’s pretty much what I got from it.”

Tebow, who completed a 23-yard touchdown pass to David Nelson in the second quarter, had 63 yards rushing while completing 20 of 35 passes for 247 yards with one touchdown and an interception.

Meyer said he was most disappointed for Tebow’s senior class, but he made it clear he didn’t want this season considered to be a letdown.

“What’s the record, 12-1?” Meyer asked. “We’re 12-1. I’m just disappointed … I love these seniors. They’re going down in the history of the SEC. In this era of the SEC, I can’t imagine there’s been a stronger” senior class.

Tebow, who won the Heisman as a sophomore, entered the game as a top contender this year. He rushed for 796 yards and 13 touchdowns and passed for 2,166 yards and 17 touchdowns in the regular season.

He threw only four interceptions in 244 attempts in the regular season, but he’ll have difficulty forgetting his only interception in Saturday’s game.

“It’s tough,” Tebow said. “You know it’s not how you want to go out.”

The loss ended Florida’s 22-game winning streak. It was the Gators’ first loss since a 31-30 home setback to Mississippi on Sept. 27, 2008. The Gators then won 10 straight to finish 13-1 and win the national championship.

This year there will be no SEC title, no national title. The fall from No. 1 will be painful, no matter how far the drop.

“You can’t look at it like that,” said Florida cornerback Joe Haden. “We’re 12-1. You’ve got to stay positive.”

Tebow and the Gators are expected to settle for a Sugar Bowl berth.

Meyer said the final mark on the class will be how it bounces back in its bowl game.

“The key is how this team is going to respond,” Meyer said. “I’ll let you know. This team responds like I’m expecting they will, then I’m very proud of them.”

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Updated Dec 5, 9:45 pm EST
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4026 Comments

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  1. Mad Cat
    4026. Posted by Mad Cat Sun Dec 6 7:46pm EST

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    LOL at Tebow for crying like a wittle girl. What crap. Act like a man, Tebow.
  2. <i>vcankenbauer</i>
    4025. Posted by vcankenbauer Sun Dec 6 6:30pm EST

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    Everyones quick to throw the first stone at Florida when they still had one of the best records in the NATION. You all could talk crap all you want to, but few of you would ever put on your team's colors, then put on pads and get on the field for yourself. Given some of you weigh 300 pounds, however you get winded just finishing your cup cakes.

    Either way, call Tim Tebow a homo, SO WHAT HE A CRIES AFTER GAMES. TIM TEBOWS PUTS EVERYTHING HE HAS INTO A GAME. BLOOD, SWEAT AND TEARS TEBOW GIVES IT ALL. Yeah, Florida is losing Tebow next year, yeah Tebow won't win the Heisman this year, yea Tebow threw only FOUR interceptions out of TWO HUNDRED AND FORTY-FOUR. Maybe he's not the BEST quarterback, but hes an AMAZING athlete.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    God bless you Florida Gators, and God bless you Tim Tebow, you ALL did a great job. Let's win our next bowl game and let's look towards yet another National Championship next year. Win or lose, we'll finish the mission. Go Gators!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  3. BrnxBmbr
    4024. Posted by BrnxBmbr Sun Dec 6 6:13pm EST

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    Hey gator tards, FSU had an undefeated season (wire-to-wire #1).... you couldn't at least match that? Enjoy your cupcake schedules. Nice to see the fairweather gator fans, and the team for that matter, get humbled yesterday.

    Funny thing, I live in central florida. It was amazing. Out all day and not 1 single gator shirt, hat or jersey. Imagine that. Gator fans - the best fairweather/bandwagon fans in all of sports.

    You could still see who was a gator fan though.... black (color of death) shirts and those nasty soiled jorts. Guess today was a time of morning. Real fans still stick with your team, win or lose. Most gator fans are pathetic fans, the worst in all of sports. And I couldn't be happier that you and your super-homo Tebow got your @sses handed to you.
  4. TideMachine1
    4023. Posted by TideMachine1 Sun Dec 6 5:36pm EST

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    Hey Florida fans,

    Some of you think Florida was just outcoached. That is probably true, but the Alabama players are also better than the Florida players this year. I hope florida wins their bowl game.

    Bring on the Longhorns!!!

    Roll Tide Roll!!!
  5. Tom
    4022. Posted by Tom Sun Dec 6 11:19am EST

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    HAHAHAHHAAHA SUPERMAN CRYING??? SUPERMAN DOESN'T CRY!!!!!

    Florida had a cupcake schedule and the corrupt SEC officials kept them undefeated anyways throughout the year. Florida has always been overrated and the media blows them up so they get all the hype. Last year USC would of beaten the Gators wayyyyyy worse than Bama did this yr. I think Saban should of called timeout at the end of the game and scored another like classless Urban Cryer does.

    As far as Tebow in the NFL hahaha did someone really try throwing his name in there with Tom Brady?? first of all he is not even close to being anything near a NFL QB. He will be a 3rd string fullback in the NFL and will be cut after 2 yrs. His throwing motion is one of the worst I have ever seen and his release is soooooooooo long study the tape and if you think he is going to run in the NFL then HAHAHAHA i wait to the day that happens.

    SEC is hyped by the media and especially this yr. the conferences have been as close as ever. SEC teams won't have their officials to cheat for them in this yrs. Bowl games...
  6. coach
    4021. Posted by coach Sun Dec 6 11:07am EST

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    Nothin else matters except the final score. Not coaching, officials, poor preparation, players, band, fans or whatever. Just who wins the game!
  7. <i>saxon357</i>
    4020. Posted by saxon357 Sat Dec 5 11:52pm EST

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    Lol Ben @ Rick Z... Rick is out Whiping Boy on here. Or his b/f whiped him...as his story came to light.
  8. Ben
    4019. Posted by Ben Sat Dec 5 10:52pm EST

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    Ahhh........there is Rick Z............just wouldn't be an SEC discussion without him. So how did your team do today? Mine just played their way into the National Championship game and are also undefeated.

    Please, all you haters, explain how your team/conference compares? Let's see.........every team in the PAC/Big 10/ACC has two or more loses........TCU & Boise St.........MWC/WAC what more needs to be said (think Hawaii/Georgia Sugar Bowl).............that leaves Cinci in the Big East..........and Texas in the Big 12. Pittsburg ran all over Cinci.............and they wouldn't score that many points against a Big 12/PAC 10 contender.............so they wouldn't stand a chance against Bama (or FL for that matter)........Bama would get 300 yards on the ground against Cinci and Pike wouldn't have any time on the field to put up points............and Texas..........can't even score against Nebraska.........the same Nebraska that gave up 28 to Colorado.........

    All I can say is NEXT!!!!!

    McElroy SEC Championship Game MVP can you believe it (and he'll be back next year)!!

    Ingram for Heisman!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Roll Tide Roll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  9. willie
    4018. Posted by willie Sat Dec 5 9:58pm EST

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    Alabama was the better team on this day they were out coached and out played . The media and sports figures gave Tebow all the credit for Florida success. I believe that Tebow played to the sound of the drums trying to be both QB and the running back does not lead to a overall complete game. It was a good game.
  10. <i>hawgfan1964</i>
    4017. Posted by hawgfan1964 Sat Dec 5 9:19pm EST

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    Florida got dominated in every facet of the game. They didn't have the officials to save them this time. Now if Texas can take care of business this should be a great game. If for some odd reason Texas doesn't win it would be a travesty if Florida got in before an undefeated team. The powers that be decide who plays for the National Championship based on economics and popularity. No matter how many games a Boise State, TCU, or Cincinnati wins they will never be allowed to win it all. BYU will be the last non-major conference team to ever win the National Championship.
  11. WAYNE
    4016. Posted by WAYNE Sat Dec 5 9:13pm EST

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    Lane Kiffen was finally right about one thing - Florida has the better players, Alabama the better coaches - and it showed in today's game as coaching cost Florida big time.
  12. ken l
    4015. Posted by ken l Sat Dec 5 9:12pm EST

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    Just remember everyone.It does not matter where in the draft the NFL takes you.Tom Brady was taken in the 6th round and he has 3 Super Bowl rings.So if Tebow is not taken in the 1st or 2nd round it will not be a big deal.Their are at least 10 teams in the NFL ths year that need help at the qb spot.If Tim wants to play pro ball he will do just fine.He has a winning spirt and is a team player.
  13. ken l
    4014. Posted by ken l Sat Dec 5 9:06pm EST

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    Florida did't just lose the game today and the National Chapionship.Bama took them behind the wood shed and gave them a good ole fashion whipen.This game will be talked about for years because the Gators were not prepared.Coach Meyer lost this game.I have neer seen a team for an entire half look so lost as Florida did today.Coach Meyer had his head in South Bend..Id bet the farm he takes that job at Notre Dame.
  14. <i>hawgfan1964</i>
    4013. Posted by hawgfan1964 Sat Dec 5 9:02pm EST

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    I am so glad that Alabama showed that Florida isn't all that they have claimed to be all year. They should have lost when they played Arkansas if not for some blind officials. Now the world sees that Tebow is just a glorified running back. At Florida they hype one person at the expense of the team. I am so glad that I won't have to hear that name (Tebow) next season.
  15. ken l
    4012. Posted by ken l Sat Dec 5 8:53pm EST

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    All good thigs must come to an end.For Florida he is gone and Coach Meyer is on his way to Notre Dame.Thats why the Gars lost today.To much thinking about the future and not enough thinking about today.Bama was ready.Teir Coach had them well prepared.Maybe the last game Flida played at home where they all took a victory lap was a mistake.Today was a sad day for all Florida fans.They lost the game,they lost the National Championship,and they lost the finest QB to ever play in the swamp,ever.
  16. kay
    4011. Posted by kay Sat Dec 5 8:49pm EST

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    florida never played anybody this year -they were not good all year-i am so sick of hearing tbow- now everybody saw today he is nothing but a cry baby.
  17. ken l
    4010. Posted by ken l Sat Dec 5 8:35pm EST

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    If someone had told me last week that Florida and Tim Tebow would be shut out for a whole half of a game I would hve never believed them.Florida was flat today.Coach Meyer did not have this team ready.They looked awful on defense and even worse on offense.Tebow is a great qb who really deserved a better fate.His teammates really let him down.They just flushed the National Championship down the toliet.It wasn't that Alabama was that much better it was that Florida was not prepared.They looked lost in the second half.Awful play calling.What was Coach Meyer doing all week? He sure wasn't gettinghis team ready for the biggest game of their season.Maybe he was tinking about Notre Dame.He was offered the job but says he was not interested.We shall see on that one.Im very sad to see Tebow go out on a loser note.They will remember him now as the qb that lost the big game.But,remember it takes an entire team to win a game.Florida plain an simple stunk up the field today.They were awful.
  18. EDawg
    4009. Posted by EDawg Wed Oct 28 5:14pm EDT

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    Rick Z - The only inbred on this thread is OBVIOUSLY YOU!
  19. Carrol P
    4006. Posted by Carrol P Tue Oct 27 6:59pm EDT

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    Starpower,

    Get your facts straight. The NCAA has ZERO control of schedules. Athletic Directors enter into binding contracts years in advance.

    You have really drank the kool-Aid. Florida is doing Louisiana-Monroe a favor in playing the game! Yes, smaller programs do need the money, but you honestly believe someone is making Florida play "sisters of the poor". Talk about blinders!

    If Florida could be "made" to play anybody - it would TV network pressure to play REAL games. Nobody tells Urban Meyer who he will and who he won't play!
  20. Carrol P
    4005. Posted by Carrol P Tue Oct 27 6:51pm EDT

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    Savageman,

    You can't admit the obvious! Urban Meyer and Nick Saban would admit the Pac-10 teams schedule tougher non conference games! And yes, even with your logic, San Diego State, Idaho and San Jose State play Division 1 football. Charleston Southern, the Citadel and Florida A&M - you tell me!

    I'm sorry that you can't get beyond your arguments and consider "facts". It's sad that Florida fans accept paying top dollar for scrimages! I honestly believed even the biggest gator apoligists would prefer Florida/USC or Florida/Texas ever decade or so!

    The "tide" is turning(no pun intended). Slowly, voters are considering strength of schedule - your Ok this year because of the "gift" of pre-season perceptions! If you don't believe me, ask Auburn! I guess, the Citadel and every Louisiana school except LSU on your schedule can have its drawbacks!
  21. Carrol P
    4003. Posted by Carrol P Tue Oct 27 6:40pm EDT

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    Read your own comments! Does anything matter that happens in 2009!

    Yeah, I get the fact that you are a "fan' and support your team. Congragulations!
  22. rick z
    4002. Posted by rick z Tue Oct 27 6:38pm EDT

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    Not long ago, a Sun Belt team beat Alabama. Not long ago, Utah destroyed Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.

    Get all the facts, retarded SEC inbreds!
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