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Tebow, who strengthened his case for becoming the second to win consecutive Heisman Trophies, also made a key block on Percy Harvin's TD run, recovered a fumble and made a touchdown-saving tackle following an early fumble by John Demps.
Tebow's only miscue came when he got stuffed on a fourth-and-1 run near the goal line.
"He played very well," FSU safety Myron Rolle said. "There was really no way to stop them."
Bowden was even more complimentary.
"He deserves to be mentioned again for the Heisman," said Bowden, who compared Tebow to legendary fullback Bronco Nagurski. "I don't know if I've ever seen a better leader. ... He directed everything out there. He's a tremendous player and a tremendous leader."
The Seminoles fired up Tebow before last year's game when linebacker Geno Hayes vowed to "take him down." This time, the FSU fans offered Tebow a little extra motivation.
They cheered wildly when Harvin, the team's leading receiver, left the game in the second quarter with a sprained right ankle. He limped off the field with the help of trainers and didn't return.
Tebow was incensed by the reaction.
"That kind of irritated me," Tebow said. "I told the coach to give me the ball because I really wanted to hit somebody."
Meyer obliged, and Tebow carried several defenders into the end zone from 4 yards out two plays after Harvin's injury.
When it was over, Tebow's white uniform was stained with grass, mud and some garnet-colored paint. Maybe he should have rubbed a little of that FSU gold on there for good measure. After all, that would have been a better indication of how he played against the Seminoles.
"That's a really good football team in that locker room," Meyer said. "I've done this for quite a while, and that's as proud as I've ever been."
[Associated Press;
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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