Tebow lifts Gators with late score

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Tim Tebow kept Florida's perfect season intact.

Tebow directed a 69-yard drive in the final minutes, setting up Caleb Sturgis' 27-yard field goal with 9 seconds remaining that gave the top-ranked Gators a 23-20 win against Arkansas yesterday.

Was it Tebow's Heisman moment?

Regardless, it kept Florida unbeaten and likely No. 1 in the country. And maybe even the Gators' chances to repeat as national champions.

On a day when little went right for the Gators, Tebow took over down the stretch. He threw for 255 yards and a touchdown, ran for 69 more and saved his best plays for when Florida needed him most.

He threw for 30 yards and ran for 22 on the final drive. Three plays stood out: His 12-yard pass to Riley Cooper on third down and consecutive runs that gained 16 yards and got Sturgis well within his comfort zone.

AROUND THE NATION

Purdue 26, No. 7 Ohio State 18

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Joey Elliott threw for 281 yards and two touchdowns, and the Boilermakers snapped a five-game losing streak by beating No. 7 Ohio State to effectively end what national-title chances remained for the Buckeyes.

Purdue dominated the first three quarters, then held on as Ohio State tried to mount a comeback behind Terrelle Pryor, who threw two interceptions and lost two fumbles.

The Boilermakers (1-2 Big Ten, 2-5) had lost five in a row since beating Toledo to start Danny Hope's first season as coach, and fans were starting to get uneasy. But when the clock ran out, joyous students poured onto the field to celebrate a major upset.

It was Purdue's first win over a ranked team since 2003 and its first win over the Buckeyes since 2004. Ohio State (3-1, 5-2) failed to tie the Big Ten record of 17 straight conference road wins.

The Buckeyes lost to an unranked team for the first time since Illinois upset Ohio State at home in 2007. But that Illinois team went on to play in the Rose Bowl. Purdue will have to scramble to become bowl eligible.

No. 11 Iowa 20, Wisconsin 10

MADISON, Wis. -- Trailing by a touchdown at halftime, the Hawkeyes (3-0 Big Ten, 7-0) began the third quarter by turning an interception into a tying touchdown pass from quarterback Ricky Stanzi to tight end Tony Moeaki.

Iowa took the lead on a 10-yard touchdown run by Adam Robinson early in the fourth quarter, and the Hawkeyes' defense kept the Badgers scoreless in the second half.

After appearing vulnerable to the run early on, Iowa's defense clamped down on Wisconsin (2-2, 5-2) and running back John Clay, who might have been slowed by a second-quarter leg injury after a big first quarter. Clay finished with 75 yards rushing and Scott Tolzien threw three interceptions.

Iowa cornerback Amari Spievey had two interceptions.

OTHER TOP 25 GAMES

NO. 12 TCU 44, COLORADO STATE 6: Jeremy Kerley tiptoed the sideline, then came to a near stop before finding an open lane to the end zone for his second punt return for a touchdown in three games and the Horned Frogs (2-0 Mountain West, 6-0) remained undefeated with a victory over the Rams (0-3, 3-4).

NO. 14 PENN ST. 20, MINNESOTA 0: Navorro Bowman led a stifling defense, Evan Royster ran for 137 yards and Derek Moye had a disputed touchdown catch in the Nittany Lions' (2-1 Big Ten, 6-1) easy win over the Gophers (2-2, 4-3).

TEXAS TECH 31, NO. 15 NEBRASKA 10: Steven Sheffield passed for a touchdown and ran for another in his first road start, and the Raiders (2-1 Big 12, 5-2) jumped out fast to upset the Cornhuskers (1-1, 4-2). Nebraska held Texas Tech to 259 yards -- 263 under its average.

NO. 18 BYU 38, SAN DIEGO STATE 28: Max Hall threw for 346 yards and three touchdowns, and ran for another score to lead the Cougars (3-0 Mountain West, 6-1) to the 500th victory in school history with a win over the host Aztecs (0-2, 2-4). Running an effective no-huddle offense, Hall was 27 of 39 for his fifth 300-yard game of the season.

NO. 23 HOUSTON 44, TULANE 16: Case Keenum was 30 of 43 for 334 yards and two touchdowns, and the homestanding Cougars (1-1 Conference USA, 5-1) cruised past the Green Wave (0-3, 2-4). Bryce Beall and Justin Johnson each ran for two touchdowns for Houston.