JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --- Victory was the most important accomplishment for Florida quarterback Tim Tebow against Georgia.
Showing the Gators could score from the red zone also was notable.
But it was a game with other milestones for the senior, as he broke one of the Southeastern Conference's most hallowed records, rose to the top of another SEC career category and guaranteed that he will finish with a winning record against Florida's three main rivals.
Not bad for a day's work in Tebow's final college game in his hometown. The Gators' 41-17 drubbing of the Bulldogs at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium gave Tebow a 3-1 record against Georgia.
The biggest play for Tebow was his second-quarter 23-yard touchdown run that gave the Gators a 24-10 halftime lead. It also was Tebow's 50th career touchdown on the ground, breaking the record held by Herschel Walker.
At the time, Tebow was worried about one thing: giving the Gators a cushion going into the second half.
"We were only up seven near the end of the half and it was third-and-three," Tebow said. "I wasn't thinking about breaking a record. I wanted to execute, finish the play, and score in the red zone."
Tebow said breaking Walker's record is an achievement to be cherished for a lifetime.
"To be mentioned in the same breath with Herschel Walker is very humbling," he said. "I mean, can I be in the same league with Herschel Walker?"
Earlier in the quarter, Tebow knocked Arkansas' Matt Jones off the top of the career SEC rushing list for quarterbacks. Tebow needed 32 yards entering the game to match Jones' 2,535 yards, and he passed Jones with a 12-yard gain during the middle of a drive that led to a 56-yard field goal by Caleb Sturgis.
Like the Walker record, there was some coincidence involved -- Jones played four years at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium with the Jaguars.
Tebow said the most important statistic was going out a winner against the Bulldogs. In addition to Florida taking three of four versus Georgia with Tebow playing (2-1 as a starter), it meant Tebow will finish his college career with a winning record against the Gators' three main rivals: the 'Dogs, Tennessee (4-0, 3-0 as a starter) and Florida State (3-0, 2-0 as a starter, with this year's meeting against the Seminoles coming later this month).
"Winning against those teams is what's really special," he said.
Florida coach Urban Meyer said the Walker record may mean more to Tebow than he's letting on.
"This is a special record for him ... it means the world to him, it means the world to his team," Meyer said. "We're all in awe."
Reach Garry Smits at garry.smits@morris.com.
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