Tennessee football vs. Florida: 5 fluke losses Vols gave away to Gators
Probably the most frustrating part of the Florida Gators series for Tennessee football is the number of times the Vols just gave away the game. The crazy plays and inexplicable losses are what led fans on Rocky Top to believe they are snake-bitten with the Gators. Many times they had the better team.
It’s one thing to lose a close game in the series. For instance, in 1999 and 2006, UT lost to Florida by two points and one point respectively. But they were hard-fought games both times, and quite honestly, the Vols were the lucky ones to be in each of those games.
Even mistake-prone games like the 2002 series of fumbles or the 2005 special teams miscues can be forgiven since Florida capitalized and controlled those games. However, other times, the Vols outplayed the Gators and would’ve won if they just avoided one of tons of mistakes. Here are five fluke losses Tennessee football suffered to Florida.
The Tennessee football Volunteers have given away many games to their rival, the Florida Gators. Here are some heartbreakers they suffered.
5. 2014 – Florida Gators defeat Tennessee Volunteers 10-9
It was the first Checker Neyland game. The Vols were on a nine-game losing streak in the series, but this seemed like the one they were destined to win, as Florida was down as a program, and the Vols were on the rise despite issues on offense. With Justin Worley at quarterback, UT built a 9-0 lead in the second half.
Jeff Driskel was playing horrible, so all the Vols had to do was run out the clock, and they would win. Well, rather than do that, they continued to make mistakes to keep the Gators in it. Up 3-0 early in the second half and with a 1st and 10 on the Florida 13 after an interception, Worley threw a pick. He later was hit with a sack-fumble.
Will Muschamp then brought in Treon Harris on the next drive, and the fumble set up a Florida touchdown. They then hit a field goal on their next drive, and a late-game interception by Worley secured their win. If Jones had kept it on the ground all day, Tennessee football would have won.