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Florida has little trouble with Troy

Sep 9, 2007 - 3:25 AM GAINESVILLE, Florida (Ticker) -- Troy hung tough with defending champion Florida for roughly seven minutes before the fourth-ranked Gators pulled away for a decisive 59-31 victory on Saturday.

With the game tied, 7-7, early in the first quarter, Florida exploded for six straight touchdowns to build a commanding 49-7 lead at the half.

The Gators (2-0) opened the scoring less than two minutes into the contest on a one-yard scoring run by Kestahn Moore after blocking a punt on the Trojans' first possession.

"The opening drive, we got bumped back a few times with some penalties but we found a way to keep going and score on that drive," Florida quarterback Tim Tebow said. "After we got backed up, we managed to stay focused and get that touchdown which was very important and gave us a spark for the rest of the game.

Troy (0-1) struck right back, marching 74 yards on nine plays, capped off by 31-yard touchdown run by quarterback Omar Haugabook at the 7:55 mark of the first quarter.

"Troy is a great football team, they are solid," Florida coach Urban Meyer said. "Their quarterback is such a great player, they are great on offense."

After Troy tied the game, it was all Florida from there, as Tebow scored on a three-yard run, then hooked up with Percy Harvin on a five-yard scoring pass to make its 21-7 at the end of the first quarter.

Tebow then led the Gators on four touchdown drives in the second quarter. Moore scored from a yard out, then Andre Caldwell scored on an 18-yard run.

Moore finished with 73 yards on 13 carries.

Tebow also hit Cornelius Ingram on five-yard scoring pass and finished off the first half scoring with a three-yard touchdown pass to Jarred Fayson.

Tebow was 18-for-25 for 237 yards and three touchdowns.

Troy made things somewhat interesting in the third quarter, scoring 17 points to pull within 49-24. After a 21-yard field goal by Greg Whibbs, Haugabook ran one in from two yards out then later hit Austin Silvoy for an 11-yard touchdown pass.

It looked like we had never seen a football field in the first half, especially offensively," Troy coach Larry Blakeney said. "We also couldn't tackle or defend the pass. We couldn't cover a kickoff or block anyone on returns. We didn't get much done.

"But we did come out and play better in the second half, and I'm proud of what we accomplished in the second half.

In the fourth quarter, Haugabook hooked up with Silvoy again for a 26-yard touchdown to close out the scoring.

Haugabook completed 27-of-46 passes for 262 yards with a pair of touchdowns and an interception.