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Home , Brandon James, Jacquez Green, Major Wright, Ricky Nattiel, Shane Matthews, Tim Couch

University of Florida and Post Game Notes Capital One Bowl – Orlando, Fla. January 1, 2008

The Season Florida finished the season with a 9-4 record and made its 14th January bowl appearance in the last 15 years and 18th overall.

The Gators made their 17th-straight bowl appearance to extend their current school record. The streak is the longest in the and the third-longest in the nation.

Florida is now 16-19 all-time in bowl games and is now 6-4 against members of the Big 10 Conference. Michigan has two of the Big Ten’s bowl wins over the Gators.

Through Dec. 2, the NCAA ranked Florida’s schedule as the eighth-toughest in the nation.

The Gator offense finished the season with 551 points, which is the highest total for UF under Coach Meyer and ranks as the second-highest in school history (559, 1996).

Florida rushed for a school-record 39 this season. Prior to this year, UF had rushed for 25 in 1975, 1976 and 1996.

The Gator offense averaged 7.1 yards per play this season. Only three teams in school history had averages that were equal or higher than that total (1995, 7.4; 1996, 7.1; 2001, 7.4).

On the year, the Gators were 76-of-135 on third-down conversions (56.0 pct.). Entering the bowl games, UF’s conversion percentage ranked as the highest nationally. In research dating back to 1979, the best mark in a single season by the Gators on third downs was 51.9 in 1994 (82 of 158).

Florida finished the season with 305 first downs.

The Florida kickoff return unit finished the 2007 with 1,004 yards. That is second-most in school history.

Florida finished the season with 81.5 tackles for loss. The prior school record was 79, which was established in 2006.

Florida was the only school in the nation to rush and pass for a in each game this season.

Coach Meyer Coach Meyer has led the Gators to a 31-8 overall record through three seasons.

Overall, Coach Meyer’s teams have outscored opponents 159-93 in bowl games.

Including bowl games, bye weeks, mid-week games and season openers, is 23-3 all-time when having more than one week to prepare for a game.

In his career at UF, Coach Meyer is now 23-3 in games played in the state of Florida.

The Bowl Game Florida had its streak of 14-straight red zone trips with a score halted in the second quarter when kicker Joey Ijjas’ field goal attempt was blocked. The streak began in the third quarter of the Gators’ win over South Carolina.

Florida’s averaging starting field position in the first quarter was the Michigan 49-yard line, while allowing Michigan to start at an average of its own 25.

Percy Harvin’s 66-yard was the Gators longest rush this season and its 20th of 20 or more yards on the year.

Florida’s fake late in the third quarter was its first of the year. The Gators have been successful on each of their five fake punts in three seasons under Urban Meyer

The Players (see charts attached for individual career and season records) The 2007 senior class finished with a 38-13 overall record, and went 21-11 in SEC action. The group finished with a 24-2 record in “The Swamp.” The class won one national championship, one SEC title and became the second in school history to win three consecutive bowl games.

Percy Harvin caught his fourth touchdown pass of the season in the first quarter. He finished the season with one TD rushing and one TD receiving. He also scored one rushing and one receiving touchdown against Arkansas in the 2006 SEC Championship.

Tim Tebow has thrown two or more touchdown passes in 11 games this season, including each of the last five games.

Percy Harvin’s 66-yard run in the second quarter was his longest of the season. His previous long was 38 yards against Vanderbilt. His run was just a yard short of his career long, a 67-yard run against Arkansas in the 2006 SEC Championship game.

Justin Trattou forced a Michigan in the second quarter. It was the first forced fumble of his career.

Brandon Spikes recovered the Michigan fumble in the second quarter. It was his third fumble recovery of the season. His three fumble recoveries lead the team. Spikes’ other two fumble recoveries were both against South Carolina.

Major Wright intercepted a pass at the Florida 1-yard line in the second quarter. It was his first career .

Wright forced his fourth fumble of the season late in the third quarter. He also recovered the Michigan fumble for the first fumble recovery of his career.

Harvin finished the game with a career-high 165 yards rushing. He has rushed for 100 or more yards in each of his last three games (157 vs. Florida State and 113 vs. Vanderbilt).

Tebow set the NCAA record for rushing touchdowns by a in the third quarter with his 1-yard run for his 23rd rushing touchdown of the season.

Mike Pouncey intercepted his first career pass in the fourth quarter. The pass was tipped by .

FLORIDA COACH URBAN MEYER

“I want to congratulate Coach Carr and Michigan on a great win and that was a great game. We came up on the short end.”

“I am very disappointed at some of our performance. We have some glaring errors that need to be corrected real fast, personnel-wise and coaching-wise.”

“I don’t think we tackled very well and we certainly didn’t cover very well. Defense and offense we had some errors protection wise. We had two touchdown passes called back.”

“I am very disappointed in the pass coverage. We have to do a lot better and we have to get some things corrected. This was a defense last year that held Ohio State to 82 yards.

[On looking ahead to 2008]

[We need] maturity. Last year we graduated a lot of players and sent a lot of players to the NFL. We thought we had some answers early in the season, and some of those young guys didn’t live up to the standards we’ve set. Our goal is to be the of college football.

QUARTERBACK

[On Michigan’s pressure]

“I don’t think more so than any other teams this year. They were playing hard and physical, but not anything different than I have already experienced this year.

[On losing the final game in a season he won the ] “Right now you are upset about it, you just have to work harder and do better and use it as motivation.”

MICHIGAN COACH

"This was a hard-fought physical game with great individual plays. Florida was everything we thought they'd be. Percy Harvin's a great player."

"I'm proud of players to deal with things we've had happen. This team could have folded but never did. We stuck together and I give the seniors a lot of credit."

"As we're often reminded, we haven't won a bowl game in a while. To beat a team like Florida is an exciting way to start a new year."

"This is extremingly meaningful on a personal level. To come out with an effort like this and finding a way to win creates memories we'll celebrate for years to come."

On Michigan's offense: "After the first drive, I told the players only we could stop ourselves and we did. That was a very confident offensive team today."

On his final talk to his team: "I told them I loved them, and most importantly I thanked them."

QUARTERBACK CHAD HENNE

"It was an amazing feeling to send Coach Carr out in the right way. He deserves so much."

"We had a lot of great matchups there, and our offensive line did a great job."

On Adrian Arrington: "Adrian's been making so many plays this years. I couldn't ask for a better performance from him."

"It's great to get the final victory of the season. We showed the team we could have been."

WIDE RECEIVER ADRIAN ARRINGTON

"We definitely wanted to do this for Coach Carr. We wanted to have his legacy end the right way. He kept on telling us, 'Do it for the team,' and we kept telling him, 'No, we're doing it for you.'"

"Personally, it's a big thing to win a bowl game. It's a great feeling to end season the right way. Definitely there were bumps in the road, but losing to Wisconsin and Ohio State then bouncing back to beat Florida showed how we could prove ourselves."

RECORDS WATCH... SEC Rushing Touchdowns (Season) TIM TEBOW 1. 23 ______Tim Tebow, Florida, 2007 UF 200-Yard Passing Games (Season) 2. 19 ______Garrison Hearst, Georgia, 1992 1. 11 ______Rex Grossman, 2001 19 ______Shaun Alexander, Alabama, 1999 11 ______Danny Wuerffel, 1996 19 ______LaBrandon Toefield, LSU, 2001 11 ______Shane Matthews, 1991 5. 18 ______Herschel Walker, Georgia, 1981 4. 10 ______Tim Tebow, 2007 10 ______Chris Leak, 2004 UF Rushing Touchdowns (Season) 10 ______Rex Grossman, 2002 1. 23 ______Tim Tebow, 2007 10 ______Danny Wuerffel, 1995 2. 14 ______Emmitt Smith, 1989 10 ______Shane Matthews, 1992 14 ______Buford Long, 1952 10 ______John Reaves, 1970 4. 13 ______Fred Taylor, 1997 10. 9 ______Doug Johnson, 1999 13 ______Emmitt Smith, 1987 9 ______Shane Matthews, 1990 6. 12 ______Tommy Durrance, 1969 7. 11 ______Earnest Graham, 2002 UF Touchdowns (Season) 11 ______Errict Rhett, 1993 1. 23 ______Tim Tebow, 2007 9. 10 ______Ciatrick Fason, 2004 2. 18 ______Reidel Anthony, 1996 10 ______Errict Rhett, 1991 18 ______Tommy Durrance, 1969 4. 17 ______Chris Doering, 1995 SEC Quarterback 5. 16 ______Edgar Jones, 1925 Rushing Touchdowns (Season) 16 ______Jack Jackson, 1994 1. 23 ______Tim Tebow, Fla., 2007 2. 13 ______John Bond, Miss. State, 1983 5. 3,276 ______Chris Leak, 2004, 3,197 pass, 79 run UF Points (Season) 13 ______Derrick Ramsay, Kentucky, 1977 6. 3,176 , 1992, 3,205 pass, -29 run 1. 138 ______Tim Tebow, 2007 13 ______Andy Johnson, Georgia, 1971 7. 3,140 ______Shane Matthews, 3,130 pass, 10 run 2. 110 ______Tommy Durrance, 1969 8. 3,125 , 1995, 3,266 pass, -141 run 3. 108 ______Edgar Jones, 1925 9. 2,972 ______Chris Leak, 2006, 2,942 pass, 30 run NCAA Record: 23 _____ Tim Tebow, Florida, 2007 10. 2,925 Shane Matthews, 1990, 2,925 pass, -27 run 22 ______Chance Harridge, Air Force, 2002 UF Points (Game) 1. 30 ______Tim Tebow, vs. USC, 2007 UF Quarterback UF Total Offense by YPG (Season) 1. 30 ______Tim Tebow, vs. Florida State, 2007 1. 354.9 ______Rex Grossman, 2001 2. 24 ______8 different player 9 times Rushing Touchdowns (Season) 2. 321.6 ______Tim Tebow, 2007 1. 23 ______Tim Tebow, 2007 3. 293.8 ______Danny Wuerffel, 1996 2. 8 ______Tim Tebow, 2006 UF TD Responsibility (Game) 8 ______Jimmy Fisher, 1976 1. 7 ___ T. Tebow, vs. USC, 2007 (2 pass, 5 run) UF Total Offense (Game) 7 ______D. Johnson, vs. C. Mich, 1997 (7 pass) 1. 466______Wuerffel vs. Ark, 1996, 462 pass, 4 run 7 ____ D. Wuerffel, vs. UT, 1995 (6 pass, 1 run) UF TD Responsibility (Season) 2. 463______Grossman vs. LSU, 2001, 464 pass, -1 run 7 ______T. Dean, vs. N.M. State, 1994 (7 pass) 1. 55 ______Tim Tebow, 2007 (32 pass, 23 run) 3. 460______Kresser vs. N. Illinois, 1995, 458 pass, 2 run 2. 41 ______Danny Wuerffel, 1996 (39 pass, 2 run) 4. 442______Johnson vs. Vandy, 1998, 460 pass, -18 run UF Rushing Touchdowns (Game) 3. 39 ______Rex Grossman, 2001 (34 pass, 5 run) 5. 428_____ Wuerffel vs. Miss. St., 1993, 449 pass, -21 run 1. 5 ______Tim Tebow, USC, 2007 4. 37 ______Danny Wuerffel, 1995 (35 pass, 2 run) 6. 427____ Tebow vs. Ole Miss, 2007, 261 pass, 166 run 2. 4 ______Jesse Palmer, UK, 2000 7. 424______Tebow vs. USC, 2007 304 pass, 120 run 5. 31 ______Chris Leak, 2004 (29 pass, 2 run) 4 ______Fred Taylor, FSU, 1997 8. 418_____ Dean vs. SW Louis., 1993, 448 pass, -13 run 6. 30 _ Shane Matthews, 1991 (28 pass, 1 run, 1 rec.) 4 ______Rammy Ramsdell, Mercer, 1915 9. 416______Grossman vs. UGA, 2001, 407 pass, 9 run 4 ______T. Owens, Mercer, 1928 7. 27 ______Shane Matthews , 1990 (23 pass, 4 run) 10. 407 ______Wuerffel vs. FSU, 1995, 443 pass, -36 run 8. 26 ______Chris Leak, 2005 (20 pass, 6 run) 26 ______Chris Leak, 2006, (23 pass , 3 run) UF Rushing Yds. by a QB (Career) 1. 1,364 ______Tim Tebow, 2006-Present SEC TD Responsibility (Season) 2. 785 ______Larry Libetore, 1960-62 1. 55 ______Tim Tebow, 2007, UF (32 pass, 23 run) 2. 41 ____ Danny Wuerffel, UF, 1996 (39 pass, 2 run) UF Rushing Yds. by a QB (Game) 1. 166 ______Tim Tebow, at Ole Miss 2007 3. 40 ______Tim Couch, UK, 1997 (37 passing, 3 run) 2. 120 _____ Tim Tebow, at South Carolina, 2007 4. 39 __ , UF, 2001 (34 passing, 5 run) 3. 109 ______Larry Rentz, vs. Tulane, 1967 39 _ , UT, 1997 (36 passing, 3 run) 6. 37 ____ Danny Wuerffel, UF, 1995 (35 pass, 2 run) UF Rushing TDs in Consecutive 37 ______Tim Couch, UK, 1998 (36 pass, 1 run) Games 8. 32 _____ , Miss., 2003 (29 pass, 3 rush) 1. 15 ______Tim Tebow, 2006-Present 32 ____ Andre’ Woodson, UK, 2006 (31 pass, 1 run) 2. 7 ______Errict Rhett, 1991-92 Seasons 10.31 ______Eli Manning, Miss., 2001 (all pass) 31 ______Chris Leak, UF, 2004 (29 pass, 2 run) UF Passing Efficiency (Season) 1. 178.4 ______Danny Wuerffel, 1995 UF Rushing Touchdowns (Career) 2. 172.5 ______Tim Tebow, 2007 1. 36 ______Emmitt Smith, 1987-89 3 170.8 ______Rex Grossman, 2001 2. 34 ______Errict Rhett, 1990-93 4. 170.6 ______Danny Wuerffel, 1996 3. 33 ______Earnest Graham, 1999-02 5. 161.8 ______Rex Grossman, 2000 4. 31 ______Fred Taylor, 1994-97 4. 31 ______Tim Tebow, 2006-Present UF Passing Touchdowns (Season) 6. 30 ______Neal Anderson, 1982-85 1. 39 ______Danny Wuerffel, 1996 7. 25 ______DeShawn Wynn, 2003-06 2. 35 ______Danny Wuerffel, 1995 25 ______Buford Long, 1950-52 3. 34 ______Rex Grossman, 2001 9. 24 ______Larry Smith, 1966-68 4. 32 ______Tim Tebow, 2007 10. 18 ______Tommy Durrance, 1969-71 5. 29 ______Chris Leak, 2004 6. 28 ______Shane Matthews, 1991 UF Total Offense (Season) 7. 24 ______John Reaves, 1969 1. 4,181 ___ Tim Tebow, 2007, 3,286 pass, 895 run 8. 23 ______Shane Matthews, 1992 2. 3,904 ___ Rex Grossman, 2001, 3,896 pass, 8 run 23 ______Shane Matthews, 1990 3. 3,525 Danny Wuerffel, 1996, 3,625 pass, 100 run 23 ______Chris Leak, 2006 4. 3,337 _ Rex Grossman, 2002, 3,402 pass, -65 run 2007 FLORIDA FOOTBALL WWW.GATORZONE.COM RECORDS WATCH... PERCY HARVIN

UF Receptions (Career) UF Rushing Yards by a WR UF Punt Return Yards 1. 185 ______Andre Caldwell, 2003-Present 2. 172 ______Carlos Alvarez, 1969-71 (Career) (Career) 3. 162 ______Willie Jackson, 1990-93 1. 1,192 ______Percy Harvin, 2006-Present 1. 860 ______Keiwan Ratliff, 2000-03 4. 153 ______Errict Rhett, 1990-93 2. 356 ______Wes Chandler, 1976-77 2. 766 ______Jacquez Green, 1995-97 5. 151 ______Dallas Baker, 2003-06 3. 631 ______Ivory Curry, 1980-82 6. 149 ______Chris Doering, 1992-95 UF Rushing Yards by a WR 4. 617 ______Brandon James, 2006-Present 7. 143 ______Jack Jackson, 1992-95 5. 589 ______Ricky Nattiel, 1983-86 8. 141 ______Reche Caldwell, 1999-01 (Season) 9. 138 ______Jabar Gaffney, 2000-01 1. 764 ______Percy Harvin, 2007 10. 133 ______Taylor Jacobs, 1999-02 2. 428 ______Percy Harvin, 2006 UF Punt Return Yards 3. 353 ______Wes Chandler, 1977 (Season)

UF Receiving Yards (Career) 1. 392 ______Jacquez Green, 1997 (27 returns) 1. 2,563 ______Carlos Alvarez, 1969-71 JOEY IJJAS 2. 370 ______Brandon James, 2006 (34 returns) 2. 2,375 ______Jabar Gaffney, 2000-01 3. 354 ______Tyson Sever, 1972 (35 returns) 3. 2,274 ______Reidel Anthony, 1994-96 4. 346 ______Ricky Nattiel, 1984 (22 returns) 4. 2,266 ______Jack Jackson, 1992-94 5. 2,349 ______Andre Caldwell, 2003-Present 5. 2,236 ______Dallas Baker, 2003-06 UF Punt Return Yards 6. 2,214 ______Ike Hilliard, 1994-96 (Game) 7. 2,181 ______Jacquez Green, 1995-97 1. 155 _____ Brandon James, 2006 vs. W. Carolina 8. 2,172 ______Willie Jackson, 1990-93 2. 145 ______Jacquez Green, 1996, vs. Kentucky 9. 2,107 ______Chris Doering, 1992-95 10. 2,097 ______Taylor Jacobs, 1999-02 UF Kick Return Yards (Season) 1. 841 ______Brandon James, 2007 2. 666 ______Kerry Watkins, 1986

UF Kick Return Avg. (Season min. 10) 1. 28.2 ______Jack Jackson, 1993 2. 28.0 ______Brandon James, 2007 UF PATs Made (Season) 1. 72 ______Joey Ijjas (73 att.) 2. 71 ______Bart Edmiston, 1995 (71 att.) 3. 65 ______Judd Davis, 1994 (65 att.) 4. 64 ______Bart Edmiston, 1996 (66 att.) 5. 51 ______Judd Davis, 1993 (53 att.)

2007 FLORIDA FOOTBALL WWW.GATORZONE.COM

2007 Football Honors (as of Jan. 1, 2008)

2007 Honors By Player Andre Caldwell Watch List (ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards) All-SEC Third-team (Phil Steele)

Joe Haden Freshman All-American Honorable Mention () Freshman All-American First-team (CollegeFootballNews.com) SEC All-Freshman team (Sporting News) SEC All-Freshman team (Coaches)

Derrick Harvey All-SEC Honorable Mention (AP) All-SEC Second-team (Coaches) Defensive Lineman of the Year Award Watch List (The Ted Hendricks Foundation) Lott Trophy Watch List (The Pacific Club Impact Foundation) Lott Trophy Quarterfinalist (The Pacific Club Impact Foundation)

Percy Harvin All-American First-team – (Sporting News) All-American Second-team (Phil Steele) All-SEC First-team – All-Purpose (AP) All-SEC Second-team – Wide Receiver (AP) All-SEC Second-team (Coaches) All-SEC team (Lindy’s) All-SEC First-team (Rivals.com) All-SEC First-team (Phil Steele) All-American Second-team (Rivals.com) Biletnikoff Award semifinalist (ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards) Maxwell Award Watch List (ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards)

Chas Henry All-SEC Honorable Mention (Phil Steele)

Aaron Hernandez Freshman All-American Honorable Mention (CollegeFootballNews.com)

Cornelius Ingram All-SEC Second-team (AP) All-SEC Second-team (Coaches) All-SEC Honorable Mention (Phil Steele)

Brandon James All-American First-team as punt returner (Phil Steele) All-American Second-team (Sporting News) All-American Second-team (Rivals.com) All-American Honorable Mention (CollegeFootballNews.com) All-SEC Second-team (AP) All-SEC Second-team (Coaches) All-SEC Second-team as kick returner (Phil Steele) All-SEC team (Lindy’s) All-SEC First-team (Rivals.com) All-SEC First-team as punt returner (Phil Steele)

A.J. Jones All-SEC Freshman team (Coaches)

Carlton Medder All-SEC Second-team (Coaches) All-SEC Third-team (Phil Steele)

Drew Miller 83rd-annual East-West Shrine Bowl Invitee (East-West Shrine Board) All-SEC Honorable Mention (AP) All-SEC Second-team (Rivals.com) All-SEC Third-team (Phil Steele) Offensive Lineman of the Week for Nov. 26, 2007 (Southeastern Conference)

Maurkice Pouncey Freshman All-American Second-team (Sporting News) Freshman All-American First-team (CollegeFootballNews.com) All-SEC Freshman team (Coaches) Freshman All-American First-team (Rivals.com) SEC All-Freshman team (Sporting News)

Brandon Spikes All-American Honorable Mention (CollegeFootballNews.com) All-SEC First-team (AP) All-SEC First-team (Coaches) All-SEC Second-team (Rivals.com) All-SEC Second-team (Phil Steele)

Jim Tartt All-SEC Second-team (Coaches) All-SEC Second-team (Rivals.com) All-SEC Second-team (Phil Steele)

Tim Tebow Heisman Trophy Award Winner (Heisman Trophy Trust) Davey O’Brien Award winner (ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards) Maxwell Award winner (ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards) Player of the Year () All-American First-team (Associated Press) Academic All-American First-team (ESPN the Magazine) All-American team (Football Writers Association of America) All-American team (ESPN.com) Offensive Player of the Year (CBS Sportsline.com) All-American team (CBS Sportsline.com) All-American First-team (SI.com) All-American First-team (Sporting News) All-American First-team (CollegeFootballNews.com) All-American First-team (Phil Steele) Offensive All-American (Walter Camp Foundation) finalist (Allstate ) SEC Offensive Player of the Year (AP) All-SEC First-team (AP) All-SEC First-team (Coaches) All-SEC team (Lindy’s) SEC Player of the Year (Lindy’s) National Offensive Player of the Week for Sept. 17, 2007 (The Walter Camp Foundation) National Offensive Player of the Week for Nov. 11, 2007 (The Walter Camp Foundation) Semifinalist for Player of the Year award (The Walter Camp Foundation) Offensive Player of the Week for Sept. 17, 2007 (Southeastern Conference) Offensive Player of the Week for Sept. 24, 2007 (Southeastern Conference) Offensive Player of the Week for Nov. 12, 2007 (Southeastern Conference) All-American First-team (Rivals.com) SEC Offensive Player of the Year (Rivals.com) All-SEC First-team (Rivals.com) All-SEC First-team (Phil Steele) Midseason All-American (SI.com)

Major Wright Freshman All-American Honorable Mention (Sporting News) Freshman All-American First-team (CollegeFootballNews.com) All-SEC Freshman team (Coaches) Freshman All-American Second-team (Rivals.com)