13 Blocks in 3 Hours: The Tim Tebow lovefest

Florida quarterback Tim Tebow is congratulated by Florida fans as the #8(BCS) Florida Gators beat the #6 (BCS) Georgia Bulldogs 49-10 in Jacksonville on Saturday, November 1, 2008.

Florida. Georgia. World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party Traffic Jam.



Florida's Ahmed Black, left, and Joe Haden celebrate as the #8(BCS) Florida Gators beat the #6 (BCS) Georgia Bulldogs 49-10 in Jacksonville on Saturday, November 1, 2008.


To anyone who ever, EVER, entertains thoughts of going to this game. First, Don't. Seriously, this game is for professional alcoholics people who can endure the worst traffic on the planet. We exited I-95 to travel 13 blocks down Union St. and to the stadium at 11:30AM. (It's a 3:30 kickoff.) We managed to get to the parking garage at 3PM. Thats utterly ridiculous and completely unacceptable. There's no earthly reason why it should take 3 1/2 hours to travel less than 2 miles, especially when you are following the signs to the stadium.

Both Athens and Gainesville handle 90 Thousand plus fans (in the stadiums!) every fall. There's no conceivable reason why a city with the resources of Jacksonville, Fl. has horrendous traffic problems when one of the poorest city in Georgia can handle traffic without a problem.

So after a quick sprint from the car and through/over legions of Florida fans (most of whom were trying to get in through the press entrance), there was a game to play.




Georgia running back Knowshon Moreno stiff arms Florida defensive end Justin Trattou as the #8(BCS) Florida Gators beat the #6 (BCS) Georgia Bulldogs 49-10 in Jacksonville on Saturday, November 1, 2008.

Georgia showed up, had a good statistical first half, made a few errors but was down 14-3 despite outplaying Florida. Made some nice pictures. Finally got a decent picture of Knowshon Moreno and made a decent sack photo, only to have it called back on an offsides penalty. NEARLY made the 'shot of the game' photo - Knowshon having a TD pass go in his hands and off his head - alas it was backfocused. (I'm going to blame the lens because it can't be user error... right?)




Florida quarterback Tim Tebow looks up after being stopped just short of the goal line in first quarter the as the #8(BCS) Florida Gators beat the #6 (BCS) Georgia Bulldogs 49-10 in Jacksonville on Saturday, November 1, 2008.

Second half came and they didn't answer the bell. I went to work on trying to get deject/jube shots as it rapidly became the 'Tim Tebow' show, between him doing the 'Gator Chomp' (I've seen alligators living in the wild before firsthand and never seen them do that) and the victory lap after the game. It got out of a hand in a hurry as dejected Georgia fans left in a hurry. It was 1/2 a stadium, as no one was on the Georgia side while everyone was still there on the Florida side. (Should have went into the stands and made that picture)



Florida quarterback Tim Tebow does the "Gator Chomp" after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter as the #8(BCS) Florida Gators the #6 (BCS) Georgia Bulldogs 49-10 in Jacksonville on Saturday, November 1, 2008.



Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford, left, looks dejected on the bench as the #8(BCS) Florida Gators beat the #6 (BCS) Georgia Bulldogs 49-10 in Jacksonville on Saturday, November 1, 2008.

I made solid, game telling pictures. Thats the best you can do I suppose.

Georgia defenders Geno Adkins, left, and Roderick Battle, right, combine to sack Florida quarterback Tim Tebow before the play was nullified on a Georgia penalty as the #8(BCS) Florida Gators beat the #6 (BCS) Georgia Bulldogs 49-10 in Jacksonville on Saturday, November 1, 2008.