Last Week's Game of the Week: As the No. 4 Georgia Bulldogs went into the Swamp last week, they looked to remain one of the few undefeated teams in college football. No. 16 Florida had other plans. The Gators jumped out to an early 14-0 first quarter lead and then had to hang on for dear life, but the Blue and Orange came away with a 14-10 victory.
It was Florida's 14th win in the last 16 meetings with the Bulldogs, but this one did not come easily. After Gator quarterback Chris Leak threw a touchdown pass and ran for another score, the Georgia defense shutdown the Florida offense. Fortunately for the Gators, their defense was also up to the task.
Georgia, which played without injured quarterback D.J. Shockley, made it very interesting in the second half. Joe Tereshinski III filled in for Shockley and made a remarkable play in the third quarter that resulted in a touchdown and cut the deficit to 14-10.
Late in the quarter, Tereshinski took a snap and pitched the ball to tailback Thomas Brown as he was falling to the ground. Brown started left and then threw the ball back across the field to a waiting Tereshinski, who made a great catch as he was undercut by Todd McCullough. The quarterback somehow landed on his feet and dove past the goal line for the touchdown.
But in the fourth quarter, Florida squelched each of the Bulldogs' drives to preserve the victory. On the last drive, defensive end Jeremy Mincey batted down a pass at the line of scrimmage, and then nearly sacked Tereshinski on fourth down as his desperation pass fell incomplete.
The loss all but ends any hope the Bulldogs had of playing in the national title game, but they can still capture the SEC championship if they win out. Florida also still has a shot at the SEC title, though it needs help. The Gators need to win the rest of their games while also needing the Bulldogs to lose once more. Whether it is Florida or Georgia winning the SEC Eastern Division, either will likely face currently undefeated No. 4 Alabama in the title game.
More Week 9 Games: While Georgia fell from the unbeaten ranks, two other teams came very close to doing the same.
The No. 2 Texas Longhorns were staring at a 28-12 halftime deficit against an Oklahoma State team that was winless in the Big 12.
Then quarterback Vince Young decided to take over. In the third quarter alone, the junior threw for one touchdown and ran for two more, including an 80 yard scamper just 52 seconds into the half. When the dust settled, the Longhorns found themselves on the good end of a 47-28 result.
Oddly enough, the match-ups between these two teams in past years have been quite similar. Texas recovered from a 35-7 deficit last season, scoring 42 unanswered points in the second half to win 56-35 last year. The year before, the Longhorns trailed 16-14 before reeling off 41 straight points. In their last three meetings, Texas has outscored Oklahoma State 118-0 in the second half.
No. 8 UCLA also got a scare, as the Bruins trailed the Stanford Cardinal 24-3 with just over seven minutes to play in the fourth quarter. UCLA, not wanting its perfect season to end, dominated the closing minutes of regulation, scoring three consecutive touchdowns on drives of 65, 72, and 66 yards.
When wide receiver Brandon Breazell caught a 23 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Drew Olson in the first overtime, the Bruins had completed the comeback and won the game 30-27, running their record to a perfect 8-0.
UCLA now has two games remaining before its match up with top-ranked USC, which easily defeated Washington State 55-13 on Saturday. Quarterback Matt Leinart threw for 364 yards and three touchdowns, and running back LenDale White ran for 155 yards and two scores.
In other action, No. 3 Virginia Tech made a statement against No. 13 Boston College, winning fairly easily at home, 30-10. Quarterback Marcus Vick was very efficient, completing 22 of 28 passes for a career-high 280 yards and a touchdown, and he also gained 52 yards on the ground.
Player of the Week: Vince Young. With his performance this week, the junior made his case for the Heisman Trophy look even better. Young finished his day with 239 yards passing and a career-high 267 yards on the ground, setting a school record for total offense. He is in a dead heat with USC studs Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart in the race for the Heisman.
Upcoming Game of the Week: No. 5 Miami at Virginia Tech. This game will be the toughest test so far for the Hokies, who have more or less cruised through their schedule so far. The Virginia Tech offense will be tested by the stingy Hurricane defense, but with the team riding Marcus Vick and the home crowd, look for the Hokies to come out on top.
