SEC Roundup: Gators, Tide remain unbeaten
published: November 16 2009 05:53 PM updated:: November 16 2009 07:18 PM

No. 1 Florida 24, South Carolina 14

Quarterback Tim Tebow tied LSU's Kevin Faulk for the SEC career touchdown mark with his 53rd touchdown, coming on a rush in the fourth quarter to seal the road victory for the Gators, 24-14. Tebow finished 14 of 25 for 199 yards, including a 68-yard touchdown pass to Riley Cooper. The Gamecocks held close the entire game, and were poised to score the go-ahead touchdown when Florida defensive end Justin Trattou snagged a tipped pass for an interception early in the fourth. The victory sealed an undefeated season in SEC play for the Gators in 2009. Florida (10-0, 8-0 SEC) faces Florida International at home next week before closing the season with Florida State at home. South Carolina (6-5, 3-5 SEC) enjoys a bye next week before traveling to Clemson for the teams' annual non-conference match up.

No. 2 Alabama 31, Mississippi State 3

Quarterback Greg McElroy silenced critics with a 192-yard, two touchdown performance on 13 of 18 passing to lead the Alabama Crimson Tide to a 31-3 victory on the road at Mississippi State. Both of McElroy's touchdown passes surpassed 45 yards, to wide receivers Darius Hanks and Julio Jones. Heisman nominee Mark Ingram rushed for 149 yards on 19 carries, including a 70-yard touchdown burst. Alabama went to 10-0 on the season, 8-0 in the SEC, this is the 30th time the Crimson Tide reached 10 wins. Mississippi State fell to 4-6, 2-4 in the conference, and must win its final two games to become bowl eligible in head coach Dan Mullen's first season. It won't be an easy task for the Bulldogs, who travel to Arkansas next week before facing Ole Miss at home in the season finale.

No. 8 LSU 24, Louisiana Tech 16

No. 8 LSU recovered after trailing 13-10 at the half, to prevent the upset beating Louisiana Tech 24-16 in Baton Rouge. Running back Keiland Williams had two rushing touchdowns in the second half to put the Tigers on top of the Bulldogs to stay. Tech dominated ball possession, holding the ball for 36:20 as compared to LSU's 23:40. The Bulldogs also out gained LSU 322-246 in total yards, including a 23-15 advantage in first downs. LSU quarterback Jarrett Lee started the game in place of freshman Jordan Jefferson, who was suffering from a sprained ankle. Lee finished 7 of 22 for 105 yards and one touchdown. LSU (8-2, 4-2 SEC) travels to Ole Miss next week.

Ole Miss 42, Tennessee 17

Rebels running back Dexter McCluster broke the Ole Miss single-game rushing record by gaining 324 all-purpose yards, 282 yards rushing, to lead the Ole Miss Rebels to a 42-17 demolition of Tennessee at home. The running back scored four touchdowns, on runs of 15, 23, 32 and 71 yards. Tennessee (5-5, 2-4 SEC) held close, trailing 21-14 at the half, before coming out and hitting a 27-yard field goal to close the gap to 21-17 with 11:53 in the third. McCluster and fellow running back Brandon Bolden carried the Rebels from there, with Bolden scoring two touchdowns from 1 and 4 yards out. Ole Miss (7-3, 3-3 SEC) faces LSU at home next week, while Tennessee hosts Vanderbilt.

Georgia 31, Auburn 24

Georgia earned bowl eligibility as running back Caleb King rushed for two scores, carrying the Bulldogs to a 31-24 win against the Auburn Tigers. Auburn (7-4, 3-4 SEC) looked poised to blowout Georgia early on, scoring on their first two offensive possessions. King's 24-yard touchdown with less than seven minutes remaining brought Georgia ahead 31-24. Auburn nearly tied the game when Chris Todd hit Mario Fannin at the goal-line for the tying score, before Georgia defender Bacarri Rambo knocked the ball out. It was Georgia's fourth straight win in the storied rivalry. Auburn enjoys a bye week next before facing Alabama at home in the "Iron Bowl". Georgia (6-4, 4-3 SEC) faces Kentucky at home next week.

Kentucky 24, Vanderbilt 13

Running back Randall Cobb rushed for two touchdowns as the Kentucky Wildcats (6-4, 2-4 SEC) defeated Vanderbilt at home to become bowl eligible for a school-record fourth straight year. Fellow Wildcat running back Derrick Locke rushed for a career-high 144 yards on 25 carries. Vanderbilt had its best scoring outing against a conference opponent this year, leading 13-10 at the half. The Wildcats shut out the Commodores in the second half, allowing only 31 yards total offense. Vanderbilt (2-9, 0-7 SEC) travels to Tennessee next week, while Kentucky travels to Georgia.

Arkansas 56, Troy 20

Ryan Mallett broke the Arkansas single-season passing record with 405 yards on 23 of 30 passing and five touchdowns en route to a 56-20 win over Troy. Mallett's numbers now tally 2,882 yards on the season. Five different Arkansas receivers recorded touchdown scores, including an 83-yard touchdown pass on a screen to Ronnie Wingo Jr. Running back Broderick Green contributed a touchdown and 45 yards on eight carries. Arkansas won three straight games for the first time under head coach Bobby Petrino. The Razorbacks (6-4, 2-4 SEC) faces Mississippi State at home next week.

Editor: Grant Ramey

SEC Standings

East

Florida (10-0, 8-0)

Georgia (6-4, 4-3)

South Carolina (6-5, 3-5)

Kentucky (6-4, 2-4)

Tennessee (5-5, 2-4)

Vanderbilt (2-9, 0-7)

West

Alabama (10-0, 8-0)

LSU (8-2, 4-2)

Ole Miss (7-3, 3-3)

Auburn (7-4, 3-4)

Arkansas (6-4, 2-4)

Mississippi State (4-6, 2-4)

SEC Schedule

Week 12

Miss. State @ Arkansas, 12:21 p.m.

Chattanooga @ Alabama, 12:21 p.m.

Florida Int. @ Florida, 12:30 p.m.

LSU @ Ole Miss, 3:30 p.m.

Vanderbilt @ Tennessee, 7 p.m. (ESPNU)

Kentucky @ Georgia, 7:45 p.m.

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