SEC: Alabama puts end to Florida’s reign

Reporting from Atlanta — 

The essence of Southern football is alive and well thanks to Alabama’s memorable thrashing of the Florida Gators.

Heisman Trophy candidate Mark Ingram barreled his way to three touchdowns to secure Alabama’s 32-13 win over No. 1 Florida in the Southeastern Conference championship game in front of a Georgia Dome crowd of 75,514.

By the time Florida quarterback Tim Tebow corralled his team for a fiery pep talk before the fourth quarter, it was too late.

Three plays later, Ingram scored his third touchdown to cap an 8-minute 37-second drive that sucked the life out of a usually dominant Florida defense. Ingram finished with 113 yards rushing and 76 yards receiving.

“You have to give Alabama credit,” Florida Coach Urban Meyer said. “They made the plays they needed to win the game. They had a good game plan and executed it.”

Alabama is headed to the Bowl Championship Series national title game on Jan. 7 at the Rose Bowl with the chance for the school’s first championship since 1992.

Cornerback Javier Arenas’ interception of Tebow from the red zone with 11:51 left cemented the demise of Florida, which had run off 22 straight wins with relative ease.

Reeling all off-season because of last year’s SEC title game loss to Florida (12-1), the No. 2 Crimson Tide (13-0) was determined to thwart the Gators’ effort for a third national title in four years.

After dominating with defense all season, Florida wilted under Alabama’s power running game and quarterback Greg McElroy’s surprisingly deft passing.

“It’s been such an incredible season,” McElroy said. “We started the season here with a win and were able to win a championship today. I can’t say enough about my offensive line. We have the greatest coaching staff in the country.”

Florida gave up 490 yards of offense -- almost twice the defense’s average -- and Alabama scored the most points on Florida since Michigan’s 41-35 win in the Capital One Bowl on Jan. 1, 2008.

Ingram blazed through Florida’s defense with 53 first-half rushing yards and a 69-yard gain off a screen pass.

By the time Alabama had taken a 9-0 lead in the first quarter, Florida suddenly faced its largest deficit of the season. Ingram compiled 44 yards rushing on the first drive alone, and the Crimson Tide outdistanced Florida 119-58 in offensive yards in the first quarter.

Florida’s defense missed numerous key tackles, including cornerback Janoris Jenkins’ diving too soon on a 34-yard gain by Alabama receiver Marquis Maze that set up one of two Leigh Tiffin field goals in the first half.

Tebow and the Gators showed early resolve with a four-play, 70-yard drive punctuated by a 23-yard David Nelson touchdown catch. Tebow rushed for gains of 23 and 15 yards on the drive to rile up a dormant Gators fan base.

Thanks to field goals of 48 and 32 yards by Caleb Sturgis, Florida cut the lead to 19-13 before the half. But Alabama held true to its 27-1 record under Coach Nick Saban when leading at halftime.

The Crimson Tide made it 26-13 with 9:53 left in the third on a 17-yard touchdown catch over the shoulder of tight end Colin Peek.

McElroy turned in a near-flawless performance of 12 for 18 passing, 239 yards and a touchdown through three quarters.

jfowler@orlandosentinel.com