COLUMBIA, S.C. — As he watched South Carolina inch closer to a go-ahead score early in the fourth quarter, Florida coach Urban Meyer knew it was time for one of his Gators to make a play.

Defensive end Justin Trattou was more than ready.

Trattou made a game-changing interception and No. 1 Florida finished a perfect regular season in the Southeastern Conference with a 24-14 victory over South Carolina yesterday.

Tim Tebow tied the SEC career touchdown mark and Florida (10-0, 8-0) went undefeated in the league for the first time since Steve Spurrier's 1996 national champions.

"Every week, someone has to step up. It's usually someone different every week," said Trattou, a junior playing with a painful torn left biceps.

Gamecock quarterback Stephen Garcia had closed the third quarter when he cut back around two pursuers to pick up a first down on fourth-and-2. South Carolina (6-5, 3-5) eventually got to the Gators 22, trailing 17-14 and ready to strike.

But Garcia's pass was tipped and wound up in Trattou's hand. The 6-foot-3, 265-pounder ran along the right sidelines as a wall of Florida defenders lined up to block during a 53-yard return.

"He looked kind of athletic there," Tebow joked of Trattou.

Four plays later, Tebow scored on a 1-yard run that matched LSU great Kevin Faulk for most in the SEC at 53.

The Gators remained on track for a third national title in four years. They again called on their SEC-leading defense to save things against former coach Spurrier, who looked as if he'd figured out a few cracks in Florida's front line.

By the end, Spurrier could only throw off his headset in frustration at another close call against his old school.

Ahead 24-14 after Tebow's score, Florida's defense got after the Gamecocks. The Gators sacked Garcia four times in the fourth quarter. Joe Haden's interception with two minutes left sealed Florida's 20th straight victory.

"That turnover took a lot of steam" out of the Gamecocks, Spurrier said. "Give Florida credit. They played pretty well. I don't know if by their standards they thought they played super."

NO. 2 TEXAS 47, BAYLOR 14

Colt McCoy threw two touchdown passes and tied the NCAA record for career victories by a starting quarterback —42 with Georgia quarterback David Greene — as the visiting Longhorns (10-0, 6-0 Big 12) rolled past the Bears (4-6, 1-5).

NO. 3 ALABAMA 31, MISSISSIPPI STATE 3

Mark Ingram rushed for 149 yards and two touchdowns, Greg McElroy threw two long scoring passes and Mark Barron made his fifth and six interceptions of the season to lead the visiting Tide (7-0 SEC) past the Bulldogs (4-6, 2-4).

NO. 4 TCU 55, NO. 16 UTAH 28

In likely their last significant hurdle to an undefeated regular season, the host Horned Frogs (10-0, 6-0 Mountain West) scored three touchdowns in a 2 1/2-minute span early in the second quarter to roll past the Utes (8-2, 5-1).

NO. 7 GEORGIA TECH 49, DUKE 10

Jonathan Dwyer rushed for 110 yards and two touchdowns, Josh Nesbitt accounted for three scores and the visiting Yellow Jackets (10-1, 7-1) routed the Blue Devils (5-5, 3-3) to clinch a spot in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game.

NO. 8 PITTSBURGH 27, NOTRE DAME 22

Dion Lewis scored on a 50-yard run with 12:44 left to play for a 27-9 lead, and the host Panthers (9-1) held off the Irish (6-4), who got two late scores from Golden Tate — an 18-yard TD catch and an 87-yard punt return.

NO. 10 OHIO STATE 27, NO. 15 IOWA 24

Back-up kicker Devin Barclay nailed a 39-yard field goal in overtime as the host Buckeyes (9-2, 6-1) beat the Hawkeyes (9-2, 6-1) to clinch at least a share of their fifth straight Big Ten title and the conference's automatic BCS bid.

NORTH CAROLINA 33, NO. 12 MIAMI 24

Kendric Burney returned one of his three interceptions for a 77-yard touchdown and his third pick resulted in a fourth-quarter score for a two-touchdown lead that helped the host Tar Heels (7-3, 3-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) turn back the Hurricanes (7-3, 4-3).

CENTRAL FLORIDA 37, NO. 13 HOUSTON 32

Brynn Harvey rushed for 139 yards and three touchdowns and the host Knights (6-4, 4-2 C-USA) opened up a 37-19 lead in the fourth quarter and held on to stop the Cougars' (8-2, 4-2) five-game winning streak.

NO. 14 OREGON 44, ARIZONA STATE 21

LaMichael James rushed for 149 yards and three touchdowns, and Jeremiah Masoli, a Saint Louis School alum, tossed two touchdown passes, leading the host Ducks (8-2, 6-1 Pac-10) over the Sun Devils (2-5, 4-6).

NO. 17 OKLAHOMA STATE 24, TEXAS TECH 17

Patrick Lavine scored on a 21-yard interception return, and the host Cowboys (8-2, 5-1) came up with a final defensive stand to keep their hopes for a Big 12 championship alive with a victory over the Red Raiders (6-4, 3-3).

CALIFORNIA 24, NO. 18 ARIZONA 16

Giorgio Tavecchio kicked four field goals, giving the host Bears (7-3, 4-3 Pac-10) an 18-16 lead with a 22-yarder with 4:46 remaining, and Shane Vereen scored on a 61-yard run with 1:21 left to seal the victory over the Wildcats (6-3, 4-2).

NO. 19 PENN STATE 31, INDIANA 20

Linebacker Navorro Bowman had a 73-yard interception return for a touchdown and Evan Royster scored twice to help the host Nittany Lions (9-2, 5-2 Big Ten) overcome four first-half turnovers to rally past the Hoosiers (4-7, 1-6).

NO. 20 VIRGINIA TECH 36, MARYLAND 9

Tyrod Taylor threw for 268 yards and a career-high three touchdowns, and the visiting Hokies (7-3, 4-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) built an early 24-point lead before handing the Terrapins (2-8, 1-5) their fifth straight loss.

NO. 21 WISCONSIN 45, MICHIGAN 24

Scott Tolzien tied a career high with four touchdown passes and scored on a sneak to power the host Badgers (8-2, 5-2 Big Ten) past the Wolverines (5-6, 1-6), who have lost six straight heading into Saturday's matchup with Ohio State.

NO. 22 BYU 24, NEW MEXICO 19

Max Hall passed for two touchdowns and got his 29th win to match Heisman Trophy winner Ty Detmer's school record, as the visiting Cougars (8-2, 5-1 Mountain West) held off the Lobos (0-10, 0-6).

NO. 24 CLEMSON 43, NORTH CAROLINA STATE 23

C.J. Spiller became the first player in Clemson history to record a touchdown passing, rushing and receiving in the same game, helping the visiting Tigers (7-3, 5-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) defeat the Wolfpack (4-6, 1-5 ACC).