Knoxville, Tenn - Here at Neyland Stadium the volunteers will play host to SEC rivals Florida Gators in their conference opener. After losing to TCU last week Tennessee hopes to prove itself by beating #6 Gators. Florida has blanked both of their last two opponents and looks to do the same with the Vols once they step into Neyland Stadium.
Dooley - " We still can't get anything working right. Second week in a row that we managed to keep up but get blown out later in the game. Its a sad feeling and i hope that we can change that next week on the road. "
** Re-Cap **
Tenn. Differed and choose to receiver the ball at the half. The Gators got the ball to begin the game and they took advantage of that, as the vol weren't able to stop their long methodical drive which took up to 6 minutes of the first QTR and Ended up with Brantley calling his own number for a score
7-0. Both Teams struggled to produce kind of score in the remaining half.
The 2nd QTR began with Florida punting the ball to Tennessee. It didn't take long for the volunteers to strike back, as Bray was able to connect with his Fav. receiver Moore on a 41 Yd TD
7-7.
*** Moore walked all over the Gators Def ***
The gators offense takes the field looking to repeat another long drive. First play of their drive Brantley hands the ball off to Demp who makes two defenders miss on his way to a 43 yrd run.It didn't take long for Florida to find the endzone, as Brantley connects with Rainey for a 30 Yd TD
14-7.
*** Rainey Silents the Vol crowd ***
Down by a TD Tenn. offense takes the field but only lived for a short while, as the gators defense made a a strong stand and forced them to punt the ball. Brantley & the gators took the field once again looking to get another score. The gators offense was proving to be to much for the volunteers to handle, as they carved them up in both the air and the ground which would end the drive with Brantley connecting with Hines for a 31 Yd TD
21-7. Tennessee wasn't gonna go unanswered, as their offense took the field and wasted no time moving down the field with Bray connecting with Moore deep down the field but would come at a cost which would sideline Moore for the rest of the game.
*** Moore makes an amazing catch before getting bit my the injury bug ***
After the big plays by Moore Tenn. were just mere inches from the goal line .With their goal line formation out on the field bray takes the snap from under the center then toss the ball took Poole who punches the ball into the endzone for a TD
21-14. Under 2 minutes left in the game and the gators had the ball and moved it very effectively down the field but had to settle for a FG & missed their chance for 3 pt. Tenn. gained possession of the ball after that missed FG and had a chance to tack on another score before the second half but bray couldn't complete any of his passes which ended the first half of the game.
*** Halftime ***
The 3rd QTR began with the ball in Tennessee hands and they went to worked quickly. Bray connects with Poole on a screen play that went 85 Yds for a TD which tied up the game
21-21.The gators wasn't gonna sit back and let the volunteers go unanswered. Brantley lead the Gator offense onto the field, as they made quick work of the volunteers defense by pounding the ball against them which in turn opened up the passing game for Brantley who connects with rainey once again for a 26 Yd TD
28-21.
*** Rainey Scores yet another TD ***
Now both team found it tough to move the ball against each other defense, as they stood their ground and neither were budging. Under 3 minutes left in the QTR and Florida had the ball, as Brantley and the Gators offense takes the field. The Gators wasted little time,as Brantley carved up the secondary of Tennessee which ended with Brantley connecting with Moore for a TD
35-21. Now down by 2 Scores The volunteers takes the field looking even the score. First play of the drive Bray takes the snap from under the center and drops back into the pocket, as he connects with Jones for 24 Yds. Bray goes to the air once again this time for his TE Stocker for 21 Yds. Bray & his Receiver were on a roll with the passing game after completing 2 back to back big plays but that came to a quick halt, as Bray tries to hit Jones across the middle only to have the ball tipped and picked off by Gator Corner Jenkins.
Fourth QTR began and Gators has possession of the ball after the INT by Jenkins. The Gators took advantage of the INT and drove down the field behind the arm of Brantley who find Hammond JR in the endzone for the score
42-21. Tenn. offense takes the field and already this was yet another game lost, as the gators defense stopped all and every drive they had. Gators capped off the game with a 50 Yd FG
45-21 which ended the game in favor of the Gators.