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Tennessee Vols Erase 21-Point Deficit to End 11-Game Streak to Florida Gators

By Caleb Calhoun

Sep 24, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; General view of the Tennessee Volunteers running through the T before the game against the Florida Gators at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; General view of the Tennessee Volunteers running through the T before the game against the Florida Gators at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tennessee unleashed 11 years of frustration on the Gators in a quarter and a half. The Volunteers erased a 21-0 deficit to get a 38-28 win.

Tennessee scored 38 straight points, 35 in the second half, to come back from 21 down and end the 11-game losing streak to the Florida Gators.

Things were not going well for the Vols early, as they fell behind 21-0 and failed to score on two red zone tries. But after getting a field goal to go into halftime and then an interception on the first drive of the second half, they turned it on.

Joshua Dobbs, who finished 16 of 32 for 319 yards and 4 touchdowns along with 80 rushing yards and another touchdown, got everything going for Tennessee.

He connected with Jalen Hurd on a touchdown pass in the third quarter to get it started. Then, after a three-and-out, he hit Ethan Wolf for another touchdown pass.

And after Bob Shoop’s defense forced their fourth three and out on the day, Dobbs connected with Jauan Jennings on a bomb to give them the lead for good.

Austin Appleby threw an interception on the next drive, Dobbs hit Josh Malone on a crossing route to give the Vols a two-score lead in the fourth quarter.

After a sixth straight defensive stop, Dobbs ran it into the end zone to give Tennessee its largest lead over Florida in 24 years.

From there, it was all about running out the clock. The Vols played soft coverage and allowed one more Gators touchdown. But that was it.

Appleby finished 23 of 39 for 296 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. But that was all skewed based on his incredibly play in the first half.

With the win, Tennessee moves to 1-0 in the SEC and 4-0 overall for the first time since 2003. They now have to get ready for the Georgia Bulldogs on the road next week.

But for now, they can celebrate the end of a brutal losing streak.

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