Cornelius Ingram could have marveled at many accomplishments, but he also chose to focus on the one downer - the out-of-town scoreboard - on an otherwise upbeat Saturday at The Swamp.
Ingram scored twice as the Gators steamrolled Florida Atlantic 59-20.
In the win, Tim Tebow became the first player in NCAA history to throw for 20 touchdowns and rush for 20 more scores in the same season.
Ingram?s fellow wideout Andre Caldwell (13 catches for 164 yards) made history of his own, breaking the Gators? single-season record for receptions, which was previously held by Carlos Alvarez.
But Ingram admitted to peaking at the scoreboard to receive updates on the Kentucky-Georgia game.
You couldn?t blame him.
In fact, other players confessed to looking, too.
The Gators? season hung in the balance 350 miles north, in Athens, Ga.
BYou try not to worry about it during the course of the game, but going into the season, we knew we wanted to be in Atlanta,C Ingram said.
Kentucky had to defeat Georgia to keep UF in the running for the Southeastern Conference East Division title and a trip to the Georgia Dome to play LSU for the SEC Championship.
So Ingram sweated it out as the score flashed every minute or so.
Kentucky 10, Georgia 0, end of the first quarter.
Hey, this could be UF?s day.
Kentucky 10, Georgia 7, halftime.
Still in good shape.
Georgia 21, Kentucky 13, end of the third.
Uh-oh.
Georgia closed out a 24-13 win sometime between UF players chanting the alma mater, a tradition after every win, and Urban Meyer?s post-game press conference.
BAfter you knew that,C said Ingram, Bit kind of sunk in.C
The No. 12 Gators (8-3, 5-3 SEC) will not return to the SEC title game.
Instead, a trip to the Capital One or Outback bowls - and a possible date with Ron Zook?s Illini - likely lies ahead after this Saturday?s game against Florida State.
BWe still have a whole world to play for,C Meyer said. BA top-10 ranking, a great bowl game and obviously a bunch of seniors playing against our rival.CThen there?s Tebow?s Heisman Trophy candidacy.
Tebow?s 20-20 record certainly helped stake his claim as the new front-runner, along with Dennis Dixon tearing his anterior cruciate ligament two days earlier.
Tebow completed 25 of 34 pass attempts for a career-high 338 yards and three touchdowns against the Owls. He also rushed for a score.
But he looked as inaccurate as ever at times, overthrowing wide-open receivers. He also failed to establish a running rhythm.
BI?m being critical of Tim because he needs a little critical analysis once in a while,C Meyer said. BHe did not play his best game. That tells you how good of a football player he is.C
Tebow started off great, completing his first 10 throws and leading UF to a 21-0 first-quarter lead while the late-arriving student section filled out.
The starters would play into the fourth quarter, when Tebow gave way to backup Cameron Newton and Kentucky gave way to Georgia, crushing UF?s postseason aspirations.
BIt?s disappointing,C Tebow said. BThat was our goal. But now we can?t worry about that. We just have to get ready for Florida State. That?s enough to worry about.C
