INSIDE SLANT

Florida got a glimpse of its future in its 62-3 rout over Florida International on Saturday.

With the game in hand after the Gators built a 42-3 third-quarter lead, coach Urban Meyer turned to the reserves to rest his team for its big showdown this Saturday against rival Florida State.

“This is going to be a special week,” Meyer said. “It’s started already. We have a plan. The plan is to practice really hard on Tuesday.”

Quarterback Tim Tebow scored on a career-long 55-yard touchdown run early in the game, but he was out in the third quarter as the Gators turned to backup John Brantley to finish the game. Brantley threw for 146 yards and three touchdowns, one more than Tebow (215 yards, two touchdowns).

“I’ve been patient for three years,” Brantley said. “You know what, I’ve learned so much. I’ve taken it all in these three years. I try to learn as much as I can. To sit behind one of the greatest players in college football is a blessing to me.”

Freshman receivers Omarius Hines, Justin Williams and Frankie Hammond Jr. each caught touchdown passes from Brantley. For Hines, it was the first touchdown catch of his career.

“There are going to be a lot of talented dudes out there on the field in the future,” Tebow said. “You saw that (Saturday). It’s exciting to see guys who haven’t got many opportunities to go out there and show what they’ve got.”

NOTES, QUOTES

• LB Brandon Spikes returned his fourth career interception for a touchdown with a 41-yard return of a pick off FIU quarterback Paul McCall in the first quarter. Spikes, named a Butkus Award finalist earlier in the week, is the only player in the country to have returned four interceptions for touchdowns over the past two seasons. “He grabs that laptop and he studies film of quarterbacks,” Florida coach Urban Meyer. “That’s why guys make plays like that. Great anticipation. He does it in practice.”

• QB Tim Tebow continued his steady climb in the Southeastern Conference record books. Tebow’s 55-yard TD run against FIU moved him into first place for most rushing/receiving TDs in the SEC with 54. It also was the longest scoring run of his career.

• OL Mike Pouncey, a junior, admitted that he and other juniors have thought about the NFL Draft. “It’s in the back of your mind,” Pouncey said. “We haven’t made any kind of decision yet. I have a great deal of respect for coach (offensive coordinator Steve) Addazio. I’ll sit down and talk to him and my family and try to make the best decision for the future.”

• Florida’s seniors, with a 46-6 mark, became the winningest in SEC history.

Game Ball Goes To:   QB Tim Tebow—Tebow rushed for 102 yards and a touchdown and passed for 215 yards and two more scored to lead the Gators to the lopsided win.

Keep An Eye On:   RB Chris Rainey—Rainey made the most of his extended playing time with 91 total yards and two touchdowns against FIU. Rainey had his first career receiving TD on a 27-yard catch and he added a 22-yard touchdown run to put the Gators ahead 28-0.

Quote To Note:   “It’s good for momentum. It’s good to get some guys some catches, some playing time. You see a lot of what you are going to see next year.”—Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, on the win over FIU.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

Looking Good:   Florida’s run defense was again stout against an overmatched opponent. Florida held FIU to 53 rushing yards, holding an opponent under 100 rushing yards for the eighth time in 11 games. For the 10th time this season, Florida held an opponent to no yards on punt returns. The Gators scored touchdowns on eight of 10 drives. Backup QB John Brantley did a nice job in mop-up duty, completing 9 of 13 passes for 146 yards and three touchdowns.

Still Needs Work:   CB Markihe Anderson had a late-hit penalty on an FIU punt, allowing the Panthers to retain possession. CB Joe Haden allowed speedy FIU sophomore receiver T.Y. Hilton to beat him in coverage a few times. Hilton had four catches for 75 yards, including one that set up FIU’s lone field goal.

Roster Report:  

• LB A.J. Jones left the game with a medial collateral ligament sprain in his right knee. Jones will not play against Florida State. LB Brandon Hicks is expected to take his place.

• LG Carl Johnson sprained his right ankle against FIU but is expected to play against Florida State.

• C Maurkice Pouncey suffered a bone bruise during Friday’s walk-through and played sparingly vs. FIU. He will play this week against Florida State.

• DE Jermaine Cunningham (shoulder) did not play against FIU. Senior DE Duke Lemmens started in his place.

• TE Aaron Hernandez was held out of the first quarter and had no catches in the game. “I don’t want to say he’s in the doghouse but we need to get him going,” coach Urban Meyer said.

• RB Mike Gillislee did not carry the ball after his hamstring tightened up while covering kicks on special teams.