Fourth-quarter interception in end zone crushes title, Heisman hopes for Tebow, No. 1 Gators

Costly interception ends Tebow’s comeback bid

ATLANTA — When Tim Tebow’s bid for a third national championship ended, the tears of disappointment streamed down his face for all to see.

The high definition video boards at the Georgia Dome showed the Florida quarterback breaking down. Tebow stood helplessly watching the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrate as the final seconds counted down in the Crimson Tide’s 32-13 victory in Saturday night’s Southeastern Conference championship game.

“Obviously, I’m emotional, as you can see, after games,” Tebow said. “It means a lot to me.”

Tebow returned to Florida for his senior year with the intention of leading the Gators to another national championship. Perfection was his goal. He said he wanted to be a part of Florida’s first undefeated season.

It wasn’t to be.

And Tebow seemed to know when the curtain came down on Florida’s unbeaten streak and likely his chances for a second Heisman Trophy.

It was an early fourth-quarter interception in the end zone.

Tebow had led the Gators down the field and Florida appeared ready to score, fueling momentum for a possible comeback bid. With the ball at Alabama’s 6, Tebow was looking for his tight end, Aaron Hernandez in the end zone, but Alabama’s Javier Arenas picked off the pass.

After the errant throw, a dejected Tebow jerked his chin straps off his helmet, then lingered on the field as the replay played inside the Georgia Dome. He then slowly walked back to the Florida sideline.

Tebow accepted responsibility for the miscue.

“I thought I could fit it in there,” said Tebow of his attempted zip pass. “I should have tried to get it over his head. (Arenas) did a good job. … It was a good play by him and a bad decision by me.”

Florida coach Urban Meyer, who hurled his headset to the ground after the turnover, approached Tebow on the sideline and offered a reassuring pat on his quarterback’s rear end.

The coach briefly consoled the quarterback before Tebow was left standing alone, staring at the field during a long timeout.

“He just said ‘Keep your head up, you’re a great player,’” Tebow said. “‘You’ve had a great career, and just keep your head up and don’t change who you are.’ That’s pretty much what I got from it.”

Tebow, who completed a 23-yard touchdown pass to David Nelson in the second quarter, had 63 yards rushing while completing 20 of 35 passes for 247 yards with one touchdown and an interception.

Meyer said he was most disappointed for Tebow’s senior class, but he made it clear he didn’t want this season considered to be a letdown.

“What’s the record, 12-1?” Meyer asked. “We’re 12-1. I’m just disappointed … I love these seniors. They’re going down in the history of the SEC. In this era of the SEC, I can’t imagine there’s been a stronger” senior class.

Tebow, who won the Heisman as a sophomore, entered the game as a top contender this year. He rushed for 796 yards and 13 touchdowns and passed for 2,166 yards and 17 touchdowns in the regular season.

He threw only four interceptions in 244 attempts in the regular season, but he’ll have difficulty forgetting his only interception in Saturday’s game.

“It’s tough,” Tebow said. “You know it’s not how you want to go out.”

The loss ended Florida’s 22-game winning streak. It was the Gators’ first loss since a 31-30 home setback to Mississippi on Sept. 27, 2008. The Gators then won 10 straight to finish 13-1 and win the national championship.

This year there will be no SEC title, no national title. The fall from No. 1 will be painful, no matter how far the drop.

“You can’t look at it like that,” said Florida cornerback Joe Haden. “We’re 12-1. You’ve got to stay positive.”

Tebow and the Gators are expected to settle for a Sugar Bowl berth.

Meyer said the final mark on the class will be how it bounces back in its bowl game.

“The key is how this team is going to respond,” Meyer said. “I’ll let you know. This team responds like I’m expecting they will, then I’m very proud of them.”