COLUMBIA, S.C. - No. 17 UF (7-3, 5-3 Southeastern Conference) found its way through the nation?s best passing defense without top receiver Percy Harvin, totaling 304 yards through the air in a 51-31 win over South Carolina (6-5, 3-5 SEC).
Harvin did not make the trip to Columbia because of flu-like symptoms, but his absence was barely felt. Andre Caldwell took on most of the receiving duties, gaining 148 yards on 11 catches (both career highs) and adding a touchdown.
BBubba was phenomenal,C coach Urban Meyer said. BI thought he played great.C
It was Caldwell?s second straight big game. Last week he racked up 103 yards and two touchdowns on a career-high nine catches against Vanderbilt, but was overshadowed by Harvin?s 223 total yards.
Saturday?s effort gave him his third 100-yard game of the season, the first of which was in the season?s opening game. His late-season revival has added a piece that the Gators offense was missing in the middle of the year.
BI don?t know if I was the missing piece, but I was part of it,C Caldwell said. BWith me coming back, I picked up a lot of the slack to help this team win.C
Without Harvin in the game, Caldwell was looked to for many of the Gators? big plays through the air.
Caldwell has quickly become the go-to receiver that he has desired to be since the season began. He opened back-to-back UF drives in the second quarter with catches of 22 and 30 yards, the first of which led to a touchdown to help the Gators pull away, 27-14.
BIt?s great having a drive start like that,C quarterback Tim Tebow said. BIt takes the crowd out of it and gets you into a rhythm with the playcalling.C
Caldwell was also instrumental on third downs.
He made a 14-yard catch in the first quarter to convert a 3rd-and-3 play. The gain put the Gators in USC territory, and led to a rushing touchdown by Tebow.
He added conversions on consecutive third-quarter drives that led to scores.
After committing a pass-interference penalty, Caldwell backed the Gators into a 1st-and-25 near midfield. He then made two catches for 23 yards, including a 17-yarder on 3rd-and-11. The drive ended in a field goal.
On the next drive he ran for five yards on a 3rd-and-4 at the USC 14, and Tebow added another rushing score a few plays later.
