Questionable call seals the game for Gators

JACKSONVILLE, FL – With the game in the balance, Florida’s Andre Caldwell made his least impressive, and most important, play of the day.

On third-and-three, with less than three minutes remaining, Caldwell took an inside handoff and was stopped by Georgia defensive end Quentin Moses for a 2-yard loss. But, as Moses was corralling the Gators junior wide receiver, his hand brushed Caldwell’s face mask.

“As soon as I felt that facemask, I knew it was going to be a first down, and I was going to end the game right there,” Caldwell said.

He was right. Moses was flagged for a 5-yard penalty and Florida ran the clock out on a 21-14 victory. It was fitting Caldwell had the ball in his hands with the game on the line. He made plays all night for the Gators.

The Tampa native led Florida in receiving with eight catches for 88 yards, added five carries for 28 yards and accounted for both of the Gators’ offensive touchdowns.

“Andre has turned into a primo player,” Florida coach Urban Meyer said. “He is tremendous and dynamic when he gets the ball. As a coaching staff, we work hard to find ways to get the ball in his hands.”

Caldwell, who didn’t play last year against the Bulldogs after breaking his leg earlier in the season, had 103 yards by himself in the first half, 83 receiving on six catches and 20 rushing on three carries.

It’s only in the last two weeks that Caldwell has felt fully confident in his repaired leg, he said.

“I told everybody I’m back and I’m in full effect,” he said. “I’m glad I could go out there and make plays to help us win games.”

Caldwell’s teammates have noticed his return to full strength.

“He’s always been a phenomenal player and a great athlete, but you can definitely tell he’s getting more comfortable with everything,” quarterback Tim Tebow said. “He was phenomenal all day. He just kept coming up with big plays.”

Caldwell’s first score came on a 12-yard run to cap Florida’s first drive of the game. His second came with 9:37 left when he found a whole in the Bulldog zone, caught a Chris Leak pass and zipped 40 yards into the end zone.

“I ran a go route and nobody stuck me,” he said. “When nobody sticks me, I’m getting in the end zone.”