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Tennessee football: Five takeaways from Vols’ 38-33 win vs. Florida

By Caleb Calhoun

Checker Neyland during TennesseeÕs football game against Florida in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022.Kns Ut Florida Football Bp
Checker Neyland during TennesseeÕs football game against Florida in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022.Kns Ut Florida Football Bp /
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Another cursed loss almost happened. Tennessee football allowed the Florida Gators to recover an onside kick with 17 seconds left and drive into the Vols’ territory down 38-33. The Vols would have blown a 38-21 lead had Florida won. However, they held on for the win, intercepting Anthony Richardson’s final pass and snapping a five-game losing streak in the series.

With College GameDay on hand, Hendon Hooker led UT on a 99-yard drive to end the first half with the Vols down 14-10 to send them to halftime up 17-14. He led them on another touchdown to open the second half and keep them in control. They never lost the lead, but it was close.

Ranked No. 11 in the AP Poll and No. 12 in the Coaches Poll, Tennessee football goes into its bye 4-0 and 1-0 in the SEC with a trip to the LSU Tigers in two weeks. Florida, No. 20 in the AP Poll and No. 22 in the Coaches Poll, falls to 2-2, 0-2 in the SEC and will host the Eastern Washington Eagles next week. Here are three takeaways from this huge win for Josh Heupel’s team.

Here are the things we learned from the Tennessee football Volunteers’ victory over the Gators.

ennessee running back Jabari Small (2) offensive lineman Jerome Carvin (75) celebrate Small’s touchdown against Florida during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, September 24, 2022 in Knoxville, Tenn.Utvflorida0924
ennessee running back Jabari Small (2) offensive lineman Jerome Carvin (75) celebrate Small’s touchdown against Florida during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, September 24, 2022 in Knoxville, Tenn.Utvflorida0924 /

5. The game was a shootout.

It came down to the fact that Florida was held scoreless on four drives, and the Vols were held scoreless on three. However, defense was nonexistent for either team. Don’t let the score fool you. Florida punted it just once all game, and the Vols never punted it. What changed things was the end of the first half.

Florida having to punt in the second quarter while up 14-10 allowed UT to take control, as they scored a touchdown and then got the ball to start the second half, scoring another. At that point, Florida would need a stop, and well, they never got one.

Of course, this might be concerning for Tennessee football’s defense going forward, as this matchup definitely had the vibes similar to the Music City Bowl loss to the Purdue Boilermakers last year. Even a 17-point fourth quarter lead wasn’t safe. However, the defense made plays at the most crucial moments, including forcing a fourth quarter fumble.

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