Tebow, Gators chomp Seminoles for spot in SEC title game

Tallahassee, FL (Sports Network) - Tim Tebow threw for 185 yards and three touchdowns, and ran for another score, as second-ranked Florida continued its dominant play with a 45-15 victory over No. 23 Florida State.

Tebow, who was 12-of-21 passing, finished with 80 yards on the ground on 16 attempts, while Jeffery Demps ran for 89 yards and a score for the Gators (11-1), who have won eight straight games, and won all of them by at least 28 points.

Florida will take that winning streak into the SEC title game next Saturday against top-ranked Alabama, a contest that has national title implications. But the Gators may have to do so without star wide receiver Percy Harvin, who suffered an apparent right ankle injury in the second quarter of Saturday's contest.

Graham Gano had three field goals for the Seminoles (8-4), who had trouble moving the football against the Florida defense. The Seminoles had fewer total yards (242) than the Gators had rushing (317).

Christian Ponder completed just 5-of-14 passes for 60 yards and was intercepted twice, while Drew Weatherford went 4-for-15 passing for 61 yards. Jermaine Thomas, who ran for 37 yards, had Florida State's only touchdown.

Aside from the loss, the Seminoles' hopes of reaching the ACC championship game disappeared, as they would have needed Maryland to beat Boston College on Saturday. But the No. 20 Eagles downed the Terps, 28-21, to secure the spot in the conference title game.

Last updated: November 29, 2008 at 7:41 PM