|
Florida
27, Tennessee 23
Sept. 16, 2000 at Knoxville
 |
| Led
by John Henderson, Tennessee's defense limited Florida to 43 yards
on the ground last season. |
The matchup that has
become THE game in the SEC in recent years added an unforgettable chapter
to its history as sixth-ranked Florida scored a late touchdown to claim
a 27-23 victory over Tennessee in front of a record Neyland Stadium crowd.
Tennessee dominated the first half and owned a 23-17 lead early in the
fourth quarter. However, Florida cut the Vols' lead to three points
with a field goal and used late-game heroics to break the hearts of the
Big Orange faithful. Trailing 23-20 and backed up to its own 9-yard line,
Florida drove 91 yards in 10 plays capped by a 3-yard TD pass from Jesse
Palmer to Jabar Gaffney. Florida's late score capped a strong comeback
after Tennessee completely dominated the early stages of the contest.
The Vols drove deep into Gator territory several times in the opening
half, but could not get into the end zone. At the half, Tennessee held
a 12-7 advantage on the strength of four Alex Walls field goals.
Florida turned the tables early in the second half by before settling
for a field goal and taking a 17-12 lead on an interception return by
Gator cornerback Lito Sheppard. Tennessee responded with a 61-yard drive
late in the third quarter, capped by a 1-yard TD run by Henry. Suggs connected
with Cedrick Wilson on a two-point conversion to take a 20-17 lead. Walls
added his school-record tying fifth field goal in five attempts early
in the fourth to give the Vols a 23-17 lead.
| Score
by Quarters |
| Florida |
0
|
7
|
10
|
10
|
27
|
| Tennessee |
3
|
9
|
8
|
3
|
23
|
SCORING SUMMARY
1st -- UT - Walls 36 field goal.
2nd -- UT - Walls 19 field goal. UT - Walls 29 field goal. UF Graham
1 run (Chandler kick). UT - Walls 19 field goal.
3rd -- UF - Chandler 24 field goal. UF - Sheppard 19 interception
return (Chandler kick). UT - Henry 1 run (Wilson pass from Suggs)
4th -- UT - Walls 42 field goal. UF - Chandler 31 field goal. UF
- Gaffney 3 pass from Palmer (Chandler kick).
| Team
Stats |
UT
|
UF
|
| First Downs |
20
|
17
|
| Rushes-Yards |
49-203
|
21-39
|
| Passing Yards |
140
|
290
|
| Passes (C-A-I) |
17-29-1
|
20-43-1
|
| Total Offensive
Plays |
78
|
64
|
| Total Offense |
343
|
329
|
| Fumbles-Lost |
4-1
|
1-0
|
| Penalties-Yards |
4-30
|
7-59
|
| Punts-Average |
5-43.8
|
7-42.6
|
| Time of Possession |
36:52
|
23:08
|
| Third Down
Conversions |
8
of 18
|
4
of 13
|
| Fourth Down
Conversions |
0
of 0
|
0
of 0
|
| Sacks By-Yards |
3-21
|
2-5
|
RUSHING: UT
- Henry 37-175, Stephens 5-26, Suggs 7-2. UF - Graham 10-40, Gillespie
3-5, Carroll 1-4, Palmer 7-(-10).
PASSING: UT - Suggs 17-29-1 140. UF - Palmer 20-43-1 290.
RECEIVING: UT - Wilson 9-70, Stallworth 2-31, Henry 2-1, Parker
1-14, Locke 1-11, Graham 1-9, Stephens 1-4. UF - Gaffney 6-91, Caldwell
6-69, Jacobs 3-31, Willis 2-51, Wells 1-22, Haugabrook 1-12, Carroll 1-7,
Walker 1-7.
|
