Florida’s Turn to Reign Over Tennessee

Not so fast, Gator Haters.

Rex Grossman threw two of his three touchdown passes during a 24-point scoring spree late in the second quarter as No. 10 Florida surprised No. 4 Tennessee, 30-13, on Saturday.

“Every win is big, but obviously this is a big one and I’m going to enjoy it a lot,” Florida Coach Ron Zook said. “At the same time, we’re still not where we need to be, but we’re getting better and better.”

In a splish-splashing five-minute span to close the first half, the Gators (3-1, 1-0 Southeastern Conference) made their point before a disbelieving crowd of 108,722 at Neyland Stadium. While the Volunteers (2-1, 0-1) fumbled seven times in the rainy first half, Florida thrived under the Swamp-like conditions.

“The conditions were not real conducive to hanging on to the ball,” Zook said, “but we were fortunate to hold on to it more than they were.”

The Gators now have taken control of the SEC East and also remain in national championship contention despite a 41-16 loss two weeks ago to No. 1 Miami that had fans worried about the team’s direction under Zook.

The Volunteers were bitterly disappointed after losing a game they expected to win.

“That second quarter was an embarrassment. I apologize to the fans and to the people who follow Tennessee football,” Coach Phillip Fulmer said.

When the rain subsided in the second half, Tennessee tried to come back when Casey Clausen threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Derrick Tinsley, and Jabari Davis scored from a yard out to get the Vols to within 24-13. But the Gators refused to fold. Grossman threw his third scoring pass--a 21-yarder to Taylor Jacobs--with 10:49 left.

Grossman revived his Heisman Trophy chances by completing 20 of 34 passes for 324 yards and two interceptions. Jacobs, who caught a seven-yard TD pass in the second quarter, finished with nine catches for 141 yards.

“Grossman, in my opinion, probably won the Heisman tonight,” Fulmer said.

Clausen, who fumbled four times and lost one, completed 30 of 44 passes for 285 yards.

After a scoreless first quarter, the rain began falling heavily, and that’s when the Gators swamped the Vols. In a sequence that saw Tennessee fumble the ball on four consecutive plays, the Gators ran to a 24-0 halftime lead.

Florida’s flurry began with controversy on Earnest Graham’s one-yard touchdown run with 4:55 left in the second quarter. On fourth-and-goal, Graham appeared to be stopped for no gain. But officials ruled the ball had crossed the goal line. Replays were inconclusive.

Tennessee’s troubles quickly worsened. On the Vols’ first play after the score, Clausen fumbled the snap and Marcus Oquendo-Johnson recovered for the Gators at the Tennessee 24.

Three plays later, Grossman passed to Carlos Perez for a 28-yard TD pass, threading the ball into the end zone between four Tennessee defenders with 3:40 left.

On the ensuing kickoff, Corey Larkins fielded it on a bounce and fumbled it away, and Florida’s Johnny Lamar recovered at the 20. But Tennessee temporarily turned back the Gators when Grossman’s pass was tipped and intercepted by Rashad Baker at the one.

Clausen fumbled the next two snaps but managed to fall on the ball each time.