Sports

Saturday, Nov. 07, 2009

Top-ranked Florida eases past Vandy

No. 1 Florida didn’t do much to erase all the negative vibes from rough week for the defending champions.

Tim Tebow accounted for two touchdowns, Caleb Sturgis kicked two field goals and the Gators beat Vanderbilt 27-3 in a lackluster effort Saturday night at The Swamp.

Florida fans looking for something positive following linebacker Brandon Spikes’ one-game suspension for dirty play and coach Urban Meyer’s hefty fine for criticizing officials may have been disappointed.

The Gators (9-0, 7-0 Southeastern Conference) extended their winning streak to 19 games overall — and their streak against Vandy (2-8, 0-6) to 19 games, too — but struggled on offense for the fifth time in seven league games.

The solution was standing on the sideline in street clothes. Percy Harvin, a first-round draft pick by the Minnesota Vikings, attended the game along with former teammate and current Oakland Raiders receiver Louis Murphy.

@BR Body bold Lede colon:Arkansas 33, South Carolina 16: Ryan Mallett went 23 of 27 for 329 yards to lead Arkansas to a 33-16 victory over South Carolina on Saturday.

Mallett was 12 of 13 in the second half, and the Razorbacks scored 23 unanswered points to finish the game. Arkansas (5-4, 2-4 Southeastern Conference) needs only one more win to become bowl eligible.

D.J. Williams caught seven passes for 137 yards for the Razorbacks, including a 69-yard reception near the end of the first half that set up an important field goal.

Stephen Garcia passed for 327 yards with a touchdown and an interception for the Gamecocks (6-4, 3-4), who have lost three of four and are in danger of a third straight late-season fade. Mallett and Garcia entered the game ranked 1-2 in the SEC in passing.

Georgia 38, Tennessee Tech 0: Washaun Ealey ran for two touchdowns as Georgia focused on its running game to beat Tennessee Tech 38-0 on Saturday for its first shutout in three years.

The game provided boosts for Georgia’s running offense and scoring defense. Each ranked last in the Southeastern Conference.

Georgia (5-4) posted its first shutout since a 34-0 win over Alabama-Birmingham, coached by current Tennessee Tech coach Watson Brown in 2006.

Ealey had touchdown runs of 7 and 44 yards and led the Bulldogs with 89 yards rushing on seven carries. Georgia, which led 31-0 at halftime, had a season-high 304 yards rushing.

@BR Body bold Lede colon:Auburn 63, Furman 31: Chris Todd threw for 256 yards and four touchdowns, completing his first 14 passes, as Auburn cruised to an easy 63-31 win over Furman on Saturday.