Gators get the Win, but Vols get Respect

Brandon James

Lane Kiffin failed in his opportunity to sing "Rocky Top" in Gainesville, but he succeeded in getting some respect from the Gators and the rest of the nation as the Vols fought the Gators tooth and nail, eventually falling 23-13 in the Swamp.

Florida persevered, as the Gator offense was frustrated by Monte Kiffin's defensive scheme.

Tim Tebow may not have tossed his best game as a Gator, throwing an interception and fumbling in the red zone, but he still was the central figure on offense for Florida.

Tebow rushed for a touchdown and made a key third-down run where it appeared he was stopped 10 yards down the field but broke two tackles and rumbled for the first down. It would eventually lead to the Gators' final score.

The elder Kiffin's defense did an amazing job against Florida's top weapons. The D limited Florida to 322 yards, most coming on the ground. Tebow saw his 30-game streak of games with at least one touchdown pass snapped.

Offensively, the Vols ran, ran, and ran some more. The strategy worked, killing the clock, limiting Florida's opportunities on offense, and keeping the ball out of the hands of Quarterback Jonathan Crompton.

In the few opportunities Crompton did have, he tossed two drive-killing interceptions.

Still, the running game for the Vols pounded at Florida's top-flight defense, finally cracking the Gators midway through the fourth quarter and ending Florida's streak of nine straight quarters without allowing a touchdown.

So for No. 1 Florida, it was not the prettiest of victories and a far cry from the blowout most pundits expected.

For Tennessee, it showed their defense is something special, if they could just get some support from their offense they have a chance to be competitive in the SEC.


JC De La Torre is a Scribe for the Bleacher Report, Visit http://bleacherreport.com/articles/257869-gators-get-the-win-vols-get-respect to read the original.

Comments

Monte got the respect, Lane

Monte got the respect, Lane comes off as a losing coach

lol.  I guess I could

lol.  I guess I could expect petty little comments like this.  Fact is, it sure wasn't your offensive coordinator that pulled it through. 

With any offense at all the Vols take that game handily.  Of course Kiffin couldn't have had anything to do with the strong showing from 5 and 7 land.  Never mind he was calling the plays.

Anyway guys, here's the thing; please do not disgrace this site by the article I just saw on govolsxtra.com from Gainesville where Meyer is saying that the flu kept them from blowing out the Vols.  The Vols had flu victims as well.  Just give the Vols their props and maintain the dignity of this site. 

Our stategy worked very well to control the ball and the clock coupled with the knowledge that Crompton can't pass gas.  So, it was almost enough to have a shot anyway.

I don't think any real "sports" fan in that stadium or watching would not be thinking that the Vols are going to be a problem for opponents by next year.  I look forward to the gators coming up to Knoxville next year with their new coach.

Good game gators. 

Good game to you too

Good game to you too Vol....Next year, Ive got $1,000 that Meyer is still Florida's head coach. You gonna take me up on that action?
Your dreaming of us losing Meyer wont' become reality just like your dream of an upset didnt. Next year you'll be the same thing you've been for 5 years running....GATOR BAIT!

"Gator born, Gator bred, and when I die I'll be Gator dead" 

I want Meyer to stay.  I

I want Meyer to stay.  I don't think he's a great threat.  He runs a spread offense.  Doesn't look like that's going to be a problem in the near future.  He has a great QB/RB in one.  He's moving on.  He and his assistants aren't going to out coach or out recruit Kiffin & Co. even in Florida.  So, I do hope he stays so we can see what he's made of when he has to earn it.

Here's the deal:  He has nothing more to prove there, unless of course he wants to prove he can do it without Tebow and the best players which are now being dispersed around him.   He's stated that's his dream job.  Every media pundant says he's next.  However, they did say Florida by 62 so I'll give you that one.  He's named after a Pope.  Also, there's a new sheriff in town and he knows it.  He also knows he's not winning in Knoxville next year, so why mess it up. 

Okay, if he's gone, you owe me $1000.  That's confident that I don't have to put up any money!  $1000. to my nothing!   You must be sure.

Btw, I do hope y'all run the table now.

Be careful there rusty, you

Be careful there rusty, you know that $1000 would be three months trailer rent for you.

Just so you know that game

Just so you know that game wasn't really that close if you look at it we could have been more aggressive and passed the ball in the third and fourth quarter but there was no reason to... Lane kiffin just handed the ball off every play to eat the clock up he didnt want to win the game he just didnt want to lose by a lot... and why does everybody think tenn defense is amazing? I was at the game maybe it didnt put stats up but when you hold a team to over 300 yards of offense thats not "impressive" to me tebow fumbled the ball which was lucky for tenn. and we had three players miss practice with the flu wed-sat morning... Tenn will be a good team that will compete with florida if they can replace eric berry and get a quarterback but overall i wasnt impressed by the defense at all

http://sauriansagacity.blogs

http://sauriansagacity.blogspot.com/2009/09/moral-victories-of-young-lane.html

 

"Gator born, Gator bred, and when I die I'll be Gator dead" 

hmmm.  Meyer was. 

hmmm.  Meyer was.  Interesting how the pettiness comes out after someone is out coached.  Good Luck next year with your new coach! 

Rusty, I didn't read the

Rusty, I didn't read the propoganda, but you guys need to settle down.  Everyone including Meyer is trying to excuse it away.  Fact is, the crowd was stunned and quiet.  This ain't Charleston Southern!  Florida got out hit.  Tebow sacked 3 times.  Jacked twice.  Picked once.  Stopped to half his yds.   Also, ended a streak because he couldn't throw a TD pass.

I took you as someone more mature about this thing than some of the little snivelers in here.  This game proved way more to the program than how you're labeling it as a moral victory.  It showed our conditioning is second to none with no depth on the line that whipped Florida's.  It showed a new confidence and belief.  It also showed Meyer to be just another coach. 

He got outschemed and coached by Kiffin with half the talent on the field and no QB.  Now it's the freaking flu, Kififn didn't play to win, which is arrogance to state that and a joke.  The national champ almost gets beat by a 5-7 team.  That's huge for UT.  We know for a fact that UF will not win in Knoxville next year.  Meyer knows it too and I guarantee you he vacates before he steps foot in Knoxville again.  Book it. 

Tenn didn't win, but they've come light years.  Much further than you expected too.  I don't want your money, just give an opponent their due without excuse.  Especially, when they deserve it.

 

That didnt show anything

That didnt show anything about your conditioning... i guess you didnt watch the same game because when tebow fumbled the ball trying to stretch out we just walked right down the field on you guys... The reason? because you were TIRED so dont talk about conditioning and his propoganda is just the statistics... Yes tennessee did play a better game then anybody expected probably even better then you expected as a tennessee fan but they didnt dominate us like ESPN says and the monte kiffin didnt show us he was a genius by giving up 300+ yards im sorry

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