The Gators defense took control of the game early shortly after The Citadel received the opening kickoff. True freshman cornerback Janoris Jenkins picked off a Bart Blanchard pass and took it into Bulldogs territory. The Gators got on the board shortly thereafter with a Tim Tebow touchdown pass to senior WR Louis Murphy. After a 3 and out forced by the Gators' defense, the Gators put together a 61-yard drive in 1:25 capped off with a Chris Rainey touchdown run. The Gators third touchdown of the quarter came on the 5th play of their next offensive possession ending with a Tim Tebow 43-yard touchdown pass to Riley Cooper. With another 3 and out at the end of the first quarter, the Citadel was forced to punt. Starting at the Florida 11-yard line, the Gators managed to go 89 yards down the field and score a touchdown off of a Percy Harvin 11-yard run. Offensive struggles continued for the Bulldogs as true freshman DB Will Hill intercepted a pass by Cam Turner. Tim Tebow's final touchdown of the day was a 31-yard pass to redshirt freshman Deonte Thompson. This TD brought the score to 35–0 with over 13 minutes remaining in the half. Florida's next offensive possession ended like the previous five with a touchdown scored—this time by senior RB Kestahn Moore. The Gators' defense was unable to field a shutout when the Bulldogs responded with a 78-yard drive, finishing with a TD pass by Scott Flanagan—cutting the score 42-6 after a missed extra point. Shortly before the half, senior Kestahn Moore was able to rush for his second TD of the game, this time from 22 yards out. This brought the halftime score to 49–6.