TIM TEBOW Florida

The sophomore set a school record for quarterbacks with 166 yards rushing and accounted for four touchdowns to lead the third-ranked Gators to a difficult 30-24 Southeastern Conference victory at Mississippi.

Tebow ran the spread option offense in workmanlike fashion, taking what the Rebels gave him underneath and never forcing the deep pass. He led the Gators to their 11th consecutive win and 19th in their last 20.

Tebow gave Florida some separation at the start of the second half when he engineered two touchdown drives. He scored on a six-yard run, then threw a 37-yard touchdown to Louis Murphy to give the Gators a 27-9 lead with 5 minutes 17 seconds left in the third quarter.

After Mississippi scored twice to get to within 27-24, Tebow rushed for 37 yards during a 12-play, 53-yard drive that took 5:55 and ended with Joey Ijjas’ 25-yard field goal.

Tebow, who was the nation’s No. 2 passer going into the game, finished with 261 yards passing. In addition, he was the first Florida quarterback to rush for more than 100 yards since 1977 when Terry LeCount gained 108 against Georgia.