Florida Gators welcome Tim Tebow home for Kentucky game

Tim Tebow remains a beloved figure in Gainesville.

The former Heisman trophy winner was back in town as part of the “SEC Nation” pregame show, and Florida fans flocked in mass to watch the former Gators quarterback breakdown the UF-Kentucky matchup on Saturday morning.

Tebow, alongside host Joe Tessitore and analysts Marcus Spears and Paul Finebaum, reported live from Florida’s Plaza of Americas from 10:00 a.m. until noon on the SEC Network.

“It’s good to be home,” Tebow said, later doing the Gator chomp to the delight of many.

Tebow predicted a runaway Gators victory, while also waxing “nostalgic” about his recollections of The Swamp (2006-09).

“I have a lot of great memories here, and I love the University of Florida,” Tebow said.

Tebow wasn’t the only former Florida quarterback in Gainesville, as Jesse Palmer called the game with Brent Musburger on the SEC Network.

MAYE, LANE BACK

Defensive back Marcus Maye returned from his hamstring injury, starting at nickel for the Gators. The redshirt sophomore was sidelined for UF’s opener against Eastern Michigan, but defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin said Maye had a solid weak of practice and was ready reenter the lineup.

Redshirt freshman tailback Adam Lane also returned to action after missing the opener due to a family matter.

Meanwhile, starting left tackle D.J. Humphries missed the first of at least two games with a high ankle sprain/chipped bone.

The junior was injured during the second quarter in Florida’s win over EMU, and senior right tackle Chaz Green shifted to left tackle for just the second time in his career.

Redshirt freshman right tackle Roderick Johnson made his first career start, struggling for much of the first half.

THIS & THAT

This story was originally published September 13, 2014 at 10:19 PM with the headline "Florida Gators welcome Tim Tebow home for Kentucky game."