Chris Leak remembers Quentin Groves.
The Auburn defensive end sacked the former UF quarterback three times in the second half of the Gators' lone loss last season, and he also forced a Leak fumble deep in Tigers territory in the fourth quarter.
Bottom line, stay out of Groves' way.
"Man, when I see a clean path to the quarterback, I hit him as hard as I can and get him to the ground as fast as I can," said Groves, who is one sack away from tying the school record set more than 20 years ago.
Groves won't chase Leak down this time around. Instead, he has to deal with Tim Tebow, a quarterback who makes linebackers tremble when they see him coming.
During the Southeastern Conference Football Media Days in July, Groves said he was looking forward to meeting Tebow "face-to-face or back-to-face."
But come Saturday, the struggling Tigers (2-2, 0-1 SEC) are just looking to get into a rhythm, no matter whom the No. 4 Gators (4-0, 2-0 SEC) have lined up behind center.
"I'm not going to rub it in his face and say, 'OK, I broke the record against Tim Tebow,'" Groves said. "It's not something that's a personal vendetta on my mind."
After Groves' performance last year, the Gators veteran offensive line knows what to expect from the senior.
"He's definitely a dynamic player," senior offensive tackle Carlton Medder said. "He gave us some problems last year - he's a very fast player. Last year we were in a hostile environment, and now he's on our turf now. We'll be ready for this game.
"To block a good player like that and dominate, that always gives you good motivation to let you know you can do stuff like that. He's a top-10 pick coming out of the draft next year, and we got to block him."
While Groves has said he's not happy with his play so far this season - he hasn't recorded a sack since the opening win against Kansas State - his teammates have certainly benefited from his presence.
In the season opener, Groves sacked Wildcats quarterback Josh Freeman late in the fourth quarter, and Antonio Coleman scooped up the ball, returning it 34 yards for a touchdown. That play sealed the 23-13 win.
"He's the leader on the defense," Coleman said. "You need a big play, he steps up and makes that play. I look up to him. I pattern myself after him. Whatever he does, I just try to do better.
"He's one of a kind."
After his performance last season, Groves will certainly have many eyes on him Saturday.
"He's got a lot of notoriety and brings a lot of game plan toward one player," Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville said. "We try to move him around a lot. Put him in the middle, put him on the left side, right side, weak side, strong side. He understands his position, and that's going to help him in the future. He's a physical guy, he's not just a speed guy."
