Miami, FL (My Sportsbook) - For a game that was expected to be an offensive showcase, the BCS national championship game between top-ranked Florida and No. 2 Oklahoma thus far has been a defensive struggle after a scoreless first quarter.
Both teams have high-powered offenses, led by the last two Heisman Trophy winners, Oklahoma's Sam Bradford this year and Florida's Tim Tebow in 2007, but the defenses have taken over.
The Gators and Sooners came into the game averaging a combined 99.2 points, but a turnover by Tebow and a pair of punts from the Sooners accounted for the entire opening quarter, although Florida was knocking on the door going into the second in the first-ever meeting between the schools.
Tebow, trying to guide the Gators to their second national championship in three years, drove his team into field goal range at the end of the quarter.
This game was billed as an offensive showcase with the Sooners having come in with five straight games of at least 60 points, while the Gators average over 45 points a contest.
The Sooners received the opening kickoff, but despite getting a pair of first downs on passes from Bradford, were forced to punt inside Florida territory. That's because Brandon Hicks sacked Bradford for a 14-yard loss before the Oklahoma QB completed a short pass on third down.
Florida's first possession ended with a turnover as Nic Harris stepped in front of a receiver for an interception near midfield.
Gators star wide receiver Percy Harvin, who suffered a high ankle sprain in a game against Florida State and then missed the SEC title game win over then- No. 1 Alabama, caught an early 19-yard pass on a third down to move the chains before Tebow's errant pass.
Bradford connected with tight end Jermaine Gresham on a long pass deep into Florida territory with 6:20 remaining, but it was called back due to a holding call on offensive lineman Duke Robinson. OU ended up punting, pinning the Gators at their 14.
Tebow converted pair of third downs with throws to Aaron Hernandez, the final one moving the ball to the OU 21 before a false start penalty ended the quarter.
