Gators’ Tebow may add another Heisman

December 12, 2008 at 12:00a.m.

His numbers are down from last year, but he’s just as important to Florida.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Tim Tebow did less, and Florida accomplished more.

Tebow didn’t come close to matching the gaudy numbers he had last year when he became the first sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy, but he’s been maybe even more valuable to the top-ranked Gators this season. Whether it was in the huddle, on the practice field, in the locker room, in meeting rooms, in the weight room, before and after games, Tebow led the way.

He picked up his teammates after the early season loss to Mississippi, motivated everyone to play at a higher level and was at his best when Florida needed him most.

“There’s just no way for anyone to know how important he is to us,” receiver Louis Murphy said. “He does it all.”

Tebow’s trophy collection might offer a clue. The two-time Southeastern Conference player of the year took home the Davey O’Brien, Maxwell and Sullivan awards last season. He already picked up the Wuerffel Award this year, and was a finalist for the Maxwell.

He could join a most exclusive club when the Heisman is handed out Saturday night — Archie Griffin is the only two-time winner of college football’s most prestigious individual award.

“I’m just enjoying it, the opportunity,” Tebow said. “I’m more focused on trying to win the national championship. It’s a great honor to go up there again. Winning it changed people’s perspective of me. All your life you’re known as the Heisman winner.”

Tebow became the first college football player with at least 20 touchdown passes and 20 rushing touchdowns in 2007, carrying a team that finished 9-4 and out of the SEC race.

His stats were down this season, but his play never dipped. He ranks fifth in the nation in passer rating (176.7) with 28 touchdown passes and only two interceptions. He hasn’t been asked to run nearly as much, but still has 564 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns.

Most importantly, he has the Gators one win away from their second national title in three seasons.

“It’s something you dream about, something that’s very exciting and something I’m having a great time with,” Tebow said.

Florida has won nine in a row since losing to Mississippi, outscoring opponents an average of 49-13 along the way.

Tebow was stellar during the streak. He completed 67 percent of his passes for 1,707 yards and 22 touchdown passes and added 439 yards rushing and 10 scores. And his two fourth-quarter touchdown drives against Alabama in the SEC title game put him right back in the middle of the Heisman race.

“It does matter [to him],” coach Urban Meyer said of the Heisman. “If you had to say either the crystal ball or the Heisman Trophy, it’s not even close. Tim is a winner. He wants to win. He’s motivated like all of us are. But he’s a team-first guy. ... If he could have either/or, he’s going to take 12 wins and the chance to hold that crystal ball.”