UF 13, UT 6: First-half thoughts

GAINSVILLE -- We have a game, folks. Florida leads Tennessee 13-6 at halftime. Who'd a thunk it? Lane Kiffin, maybe?

Both Florida's and Tennessee's defenses are playing well through the game's first two quarters. This one has the feel of an old-fashioned SEC rivalry game.

--Florida Gators linebacker Brandon Spikes left the game in the second quarter with an injured left ankle. Spikes missed several tackles in the first half.

With Spikes sidelined, UF weak-side linebacker Ryan Stamper moved to middle linebacker, senior Dustin Doe was inserted at weak-side linebacker and A.J. Jones remained at strong-side linebacker.

--Spikes returned to the field on the defense's next series.

--The second-quarter interception by Tennessee safety Eric Berry was his first of the season. Berry had seven interceptions in 2008. The pick led to Tennessee's second field goal of the half.

--Florida took a 10-3 lead at the beginning of the second quarter on a one-yard touchdown run by Tebow. The drive was jumpstarted by a 23-yard run by UF reserve running back Emmanuel Moody. Tebow took over from there, completeting two passes for 22 yards and rushing four times for 16 yards.

--UF sophomore kicker Caleb Sturgis gave UF a 13-6 lead with 51 seconds left in the half. The drive's largest play was a 21-yard gain by Demps on the series' first snap. Demps carried Tebow's speed-option pitch to the UT 42.

--Aaron Hernandez's only reception of the first half -- an 18-yard gain on third-and-14 -- put Sturgis within field goal range.

-jo-