TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- It all happened so fast, Andrew Zow didn't even have time to think the first time he played against Florida.

	Andrew Zow is now Alabama's QB after an injury sidelined Tyler Watts last Saturday.

He was Alabama's back-up quarterback a year ago, watching from the sidelines as Florida's relentless defense chased starter John David Phillips all over the field. It was late in the first half, after Phillips had been sacked six times, that Zow was sent in to try his luck.

"I didn't even know what I was doing," Zow said. "I was thrown to the wolves. So I ran around as much as possible, trying to stay away from them."

Zow settled down to lead Alabama on both of its scoring drives in a 16-10 loss to the Gators. The Crimson Tide might even have won the game, but Zow misinterpreted a call to spike the ball and had a screen pass intercepted at the Florida 19-yard line with nine seconds left.

Now a sophomore and Alabama's starter, Zow expects to be a lot more confident when Crimson Tide (No. 22 ESPN/USA Today, No. 21 AP) travels to No. 3 Florida on Saturday.

"We sent in Andrew that day and lo and behold, he had the courage to stick in the pocket, hang in there and throw it down the field," quarterbacks coach Charlie Stubbs said. "He earned the confidence of his teammates that day."

There have been 12 other games since Florida, and Zow has started all of them. He threw for a freshman record 1,969 yards, learned how to read defenses and audible, and become a stronger leader.

"It has changed my life," Zow said. "I'm more of a confident guy, I think, after I got the job. It makes you feel good to know you're doing something at a major university."

It took Zow a while to relax, mainly because everyone said he couldn't be a college quarterback.

He grew up playing the position in Lake Butler, Fla., just 30 minutes away from the University of Florida. Even though he led Union County High School to 40 straight wins and state titles his sophomore and junior years, almost every school recruited him as a defensive back.

He went on two recruiting trips to Florida before the Gators backed off because of a knee injury suffered his senior year. He decided to go to Auburn and play safety, but changed his mind when Alabama said he could be a quarterback.

It will be a homecoming of sorts when he returns on Saturday, and Zow is expecting a hostile crowd. He said he was there when former Auburn receiver Robert Baker, a Gainesville native, was taunted unmercifully in 1996.

"If you were raised right around there and went off, they'll get after you," Zow said. "They may throw bottles, they may have a little chant going, I don't know. But I'm more worried about the defense chasing me than anything."

One thing Zow isn't worried about is misinterpreting any more calls. He thought he heard the call "Clock" for a quick route, but "Kill" was actually called for a spiking of the ball.

"I heard Clock. I heard Kill. I ran Clock," Zow said. "I haven't gotten over it yet. It was a simple play. Just some miscommunication with the sidelines.

"But I'm light years better than that now."