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Tennessee football: Vols suffer embarrassing loss to Florida Gators

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 22: Freddie Swain #16 of the Florida Gators dives for a touchdown past Defensive back Micah Abernathy #22 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the second quarter of the game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 22: Freddie Swain #16 of the Florida Gators dives for a touchdown past Defensive back Micah Abernathy #22 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the second quarter of the game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /
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Tennessee football suffered an embarrassing loss in their SEC opener to the Florida Gators 47-21 to fall to 2-2 on the season.

The first eight drives of Tennessee football’s match-up with the Florida Gators involved five turnovers, a turnover on downs and a safety. In the process, the Vols spotted Dan Mullen’s team a 3-3 lead and could never recover.

Jeremy Pruitt had a brutal opener to his SEC slate. On the Vols’ opening drive, with the game scoreless, Jarrett Guarantano was hit from the blindside and fumbled the ball away. Florida turned that into a 7-0 lead.

The very next drive, Guarantano threw an interception to set up a 14-0 Florida lead. Down 14-3, Florida forced a safety and then scored on the next drive to build a 23-3 lead. The Vols had a chance to cut it to 23-10, but Austin Pope fumbled the ball out of the back of the end zone as he was running in for a score.

Tennessee football had another fumble on 3rd and long in Florida territory, and the Gators turned that into a field goal to head into halftime up 26-3. After fumbling the kickoff on the opening play of the second half, Florida scored another touchdown immediately to make it 33-3.

Despite a Guarantano interception, the Vols were at least able to cut it to 33-13. But then Feleipe Franks led a touchdown drive capped off with a beautiful pass, and after another Vols touchdown cut it to 40-20, Dameon Pierce ran for a touchdown on Florida’s first drive to secure the 47-21 victory.

It was a hideous game for the Vols, who were only outgained 387-363 in total offense. They committed six turnovers to Florida’s one. Guarantano was 7-of-18 for 163 yards and no touchdowns with two interceptions. Keller Chryst was 3-of-7 for 44 yards.

Despite horrendous play on the offensive line, Madre London had 11 carries for 66 yards and a touchdown, and Ty Chandler also had 66 yards while Jeremy Banks added a touchdown. Marquez Callaway and Jauan Jennings both had over 60 yards receiving,

With the loss, Tennessee football falls to 2-2 on the year and 0-1 in the SEC. Florida moves to 3-3 and 1-1 in the SEC, and they certainly looked better than their first SEC game against the Kentucky Wildcats. The Vols, meanwhile, are in serious trouble. At 2-2, their next four games are the Georgia Bulldogs and Auburn Tigers on the road, the Alabama Crimson Tide at home and the South Carolina Gamecocks on the road.

Florida’s road is also difficult, but it’s a bit easier. And with this win, Mullen’s team is in much better position to make a bowl game this year. Tennessee football, however, has serious work to do. That’s what makes this loss devastating.

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