It appears that QB Tim Tebow is going to need a few less ice packs this season.
The University of Florida blasted Hawaii 56-10 on a largely unspectacular day for the reigning Heisman trophy winner.
Tebow completed 9-of-14 passes for just 137 yards and didn't rush for a touchdown for the first time since the 2006 SEC championship game.
"It's definitely nice I didn't take too much of pounding," he said. "I'm not too sore so I can go condition now.
The Gators pulled Tebow in favor of Cameron Newton during a goal line situation in the 3rd quarter, as part o an effort to keep Tebow as fresh as possible.
"It's going to be hard not to have 1-5 carry the ball a certain amount of times per game," Coach Meyer said. "We want to keep the wear-and-tear off of Tim and not lean on him too much."
BIG PLAYS ON DEFENSE: After being much maligned in 2007, Florida's defense set the tone Saturday. The Gators got off to a slow start on both sides of the ball until an Ahmad Black interception in the end zone appeared to spark the team.
The Warriors had marched down to the Florida 27-yard line and seemed to be poised to score before Black's interception.
Black returned another interception for a touchdown in the third quarter. Strong safety Major Wright finished with one interception for a touchdown. The Gators safeties forced four of Hawaii's six turnovers
"That deflates a team," Black said. "Major's really deflated them because his was the second interception of the day. We were stopping them all day and that just takes the air out of a team."
PENALTIES: The only blemish in the Gators romp was penalties. Florida committed 13 penalties and lost 90 yards as a result.
Meyer attributed the penalties to a lack of discipline on the part of young players.
"I have to go check it but most of that was on young players," he said. "That's the biggest bit but we've got a long way to go though. We lost containment a few times and we missed some tackles."
UNEXPECTED SUCCESS: Punter Chas Henry made one of the biggest plays of the day when he ran for 17 yards to convert a 4th and 15 in the second quarter.
According to Meyer, it wasn't a designed punt fake, but a gutsy decision on Henry's part.
"That was his last snap at the University of Florida if he didn't get," Meyer said jokingly. "They were loading up the left side and I've got to give Chas credit. That was not called he saw a gap and he took it."
ETC: Tight end Aaron Hernandez didn't play Saturday and Meyer was tight-lipped as to why.
"If he's ready to play, he'll play next week. He wasn't ready to play this week," Meyer said.
Emmanuel Moody was limited by an ankle injury and rushed for just two yards on two carries.
