Nov 9, 2013; Gainesville, FL, USA; A view where the Florida Gators play, the swamp, during the first quarter against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
5. 2001: Travis Stephens Runs for 68 Yards
This was one of the greatest games Tennessee ever played. Let’s just forget about the loss that took place the following week and just stick with this one. The Vols had not beaten the Gators in the Swamp since 1971, and with both teams ranked in the Top Five, the winner was a sure bet to bump up to No. 2 in the BCS for the chance to play in the national championship game.
Betsided
Florida was an 18-point favorite in this game and had squeaked by the Vols each of the previous two years.
In this game, terrible officiating kept them in it, as the Gators held the ball on two straight drives that they should have had fumbles on. The second one led to a field goal to cut Tennessee’s lead to 27-26 in the fourth quarter at the time, and that was when this play happened.
Travis Stephens had been running down Florida’s throat all night, and with Florida back in it and Gators fans getting as loud as possible, he broke off this run. The yardage put him over 220 on the day and set up Tennessee’s final touchdown, which would be the difference as they held on to win 34-32.
But this run by Stephens really defined the day, and of all the plays we remember from this epic victory in The Swamp, it is the one that sticks out the most.
Next: #4: Heath Shuler to Mose Phillips in the Rain in 1992