Florida WR Harvin steals BCS spotlight

Jan 9, 2009 - 9:07 PM By Carl Carchia PA SportsTicker Staff Writer

Tim Tebow and Sam Bradford are the last two Heisman Trophy winners. However, they weren't even the best players on the field during Thursday's BCS national championship game.

That honor went to Florida wide receiver and all-around threat Percy Harvin, who made a handful of game-changing plays in the Gators' 24-14 triumph despite playing on a bum ankle.

Harvin's health was in question in the weeks leading up to the much anticipated title game, and for good reason. Harvin missed the Southeastern Conference title game due to the injury and said he was "about 90 percent," prior to Thursday's game.

Even at 90 percent he proved to be better than most players at full strength. The junior speedster left the Sooners in his dust, racking up 122 yards rushing and a touchdown with 49 more yards receiving on 14 total touches.

While the entire nation focused on Tebow and Bradford, Harvin came up with key runs to help the Gators to their second national title in three years.

"That was one of the gutsiest performances I've ever been around," Florida head coach Urban Meyer said. "And to look at the statistics, he had almost 200 yards of total offense for us."

Harvin surprised many with his ability to tolerate the pain. Most analysts questioned whether he would be able to finish the game, or if he would be as explosive.

Meyer never had a doubt.

"I know Percy real well," Meyer said. "We've got three years together, and the one thing about the brighter the lights, the better he plays. He's a big-time game performer."

In the end, Harvin shrugged off the injury and showed why he is regarded as one of the best playmakers in the nation.

"I was dealing with soreness or pain the whole time so it was nothing new," he told the Gainesville Sun.

Harvin making big plays also is nothing new, and few were bigger than his 52-yard jaunt that set up Jonathan Phillips' 27-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter that gave Florida a 17-14 lead.

Harvin also scored on a 2-yard run off a direct snap to give the Gators a 14-7 lead in the third quarter.

"He was a great guy," Oklahoma cornerback Nic Harris said. "He made some tremendous plays."

As for the ankle?

"It's a little painful," Harvin told the Sun. "But when you win a national championship, it's all good."

And afterwards, the focus of the questions shifted from Harvin's ankle to his future.

"I haven't made that decision yet," Harvin said of whether or not he will declare for the NFL draft. "Right now I'm just going to celebrate, go home with my teammates and I'll get with my family and coaches later on and make that decision."

One thing is for sure, the Sooners won't be heartbroken if he's not in Gainesville this time next year.