Florida has upset Ohio State, 41-14, to win U.S. college football's national championship in Glendale, Arizona.
Ohio State came into the game Monday undefeated and had been at the top of the rankings for the entire season. But second-ranked Florida dominated the title game, smothering the potent Ohio State offense with an inspired defense.
Ted Ginn Jr. returned the opening kickoff 93 yards for an Ohio State touchdown. Florida responded by scoring touchdowns on its first three drives. Five different Florida players found the endzone in a balanced offensive attack. Although Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith had won the Heisman Trophy as college football's top player of the year, he was not a factor in the game. Florida's defense held Smith to just four completions in 14 attempts for a mere 36 yards and one interception.
By contrast, senior Florida quarterback Chris Leak was 25 for 36 with 214 yards and one touchdown.
Florida's win makes it the first school to hold the national titles in football and men's basketball in the same academic year. In April, the Gators earned their first National Collegiate Athletic Association Division One men's basketball title, beating UCLA 73-57.
