Florida Gators embarrass themselves in primetime and it could make the decision easier for Lane Kiffin
Make no mistake about it, this was more than just a loss for the Gators.
Heading into Saturday night’s game against the Tennessee Volunteers, the Florida Gators had won every game in the Swamp over the past 22 years. They had also not lost back-to-back games against Tennessee since 2003 and 2004, which were the final two years of the Ron Zook era. Both of those streaks ended on Saturday night, with the Gators getting embarrassed by the Volunteers 31-10.
It started early on in the game when Tennessee scored touchdowns on its first four drives. The running game was put on full display, as the Volunteers did a really good job making holes for running backs DeSean Bishop and Star Thomas. The Gators couldn’t tackle, and it ended up being a symptom of the entire game.
Florida Gators didn’t play with enough effort
The first drive was a tough one for the Gators. They allowed Tennessee to drive down the field relatively easily using the running game and short passing game to march down 75 yards in nine plays for the touchdown.
The following drive from the Gators felt like the turning point. On just the second play of the game, the Gators quarterback DJ Lagway went off script and found running back Jadan Baugh streaking down the field for a 42-yard gain. Unfortunately, left tackle Austin Barber got called for a holding on a snatch-trap and the play was taken away. Once that happened, it felt like there was a tonal shift. The Gators quickly punted and it felt like it would be a massively uphill battle the rest of the game.
Turns out, that feeling in real time was right. The Gators had -9 net yards in the first quarter, got stuffed at their own 46 on fourth and one, and missed a field goal at the end of the half. They were down 31-0 at halftime, and their only saving grace was holding the Volunteers scoreless in the second half.
They struggled doing all of the little things against Tennessee. Running backs were running over and through them, they failed to get on a Joey Aguilar fumble, and there wasn’t much of a fight from them. The only one who seemed to give a plus-effort all game was Baugh, who was going a million miles per hour, finishing with 96 rushing yards on 18 carries, along with a 35-yard touchdown reception.
This isn’t a good sign for the Gators, as you know Ole Miss Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin was likely keeping an eye on this game for obvious reasons. A game like this isn’t going to disqualify the Gators from landing the most wanted head coach this cycle, but it certainly won’t help.
Overall, the Gators lost to the Volunteers for the first time in Gainesville since 2003, and they should be ashamed for more than one reason.
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