Florida tops Gamecocks

COLUMBIA - Tim Tebow is keeping Florida in the hunt for a Southeastern Conference title and making quite a case to become the first sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy.

Tebow accounted for seven touchdowns, five rushing, and 424 total yards as the No. 17 Gators defeated South Carolina 51-31 on Saturday night.

"That's an honor any time your named with that award," Tebow said, grinning from ear-to-ear. "But I'm not going to worry about that.

He's too busy carrying the defending national champions.

With Florida's dual-threat receiver Percy Harvin out with sinus problems, Tebow took over, running things so efficiently the Gators didn't have a play lose yards until things were well in hand midway through the third quarter.

Tebow was 22-for-32 for a career-best 304 yards and ran for 120 yards on 26 carries, accounting for more than three-quarters of the offense for Florida (7-3, 5-3).

Coach Urban Meyer called it "a Heisman performance," then scanned the box score. "Seven touchdowns. Wow. That's pretty good."

Andre Caldwell was Tebow's favorite target with 11 catches for 148 yards and a touchdown.

"He's done everything you expect a Florida quarterback to do," Caldwell said.