The Rookie and The Vet Season 2 Week 4: Florida
Recap
Final Score: Tennessee 38 – Florida 33
Total yards: Tennessee 575 – Florida 594
Passing yards: Tennessee 349 – Florida 493
Rushing yards: Tennessee 226 – Florida 141
This was Tennessee’s second win over Florida in the last 18 meetings and snapped a six-game losing streak in the series. The win gave the Volunteers their first 4-0 start since 2016.
”This is one of the great stories in college football,” Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said of his team. ”The game-day atmosphere… That is Rocky Top. It’s what we built.”
”The work we put in is showing,” said Vols running back Jabari Small, who rushed for 90 yards and a TD. ”It shows how far we’ve come.”
Tennessee (4-0, 1-0 Southeastern Conference) took control in the fourth quarter when it traveled 87 yards for a TD after a fumble by Gators (2-2, 0-2) quarterback Anthony Richardson.
Richardson had a career-high 453 passing yards and two touchdowns and ran for 62 and two scores in a raucous Neyland Stadium.
Tennessee led 17-14 at halftime following a first half loaded with big offensive plays on both sides.
Hooker, who shook off the injury, threw for 248 yards, including a 70-yard connection with Bru McCoy for the Vols’ longest play from scrimmage this season.
”I didn’t feel any spotlight or stage,” Hooker said. ”Just another day at the office.
”Injuries are part of the game. If you can go, you go. You’re going to get banged up.”
”Hendon is a warrior,” said Heupel.