A fumble by Tim Tebow at the Tennessee 2-yard line allows Tennessee to complete a 14-point swing by cutting the score to 23-13 on Montario Hardesty’s 17-yard touchdown run. The Vols can’t get any closer though, as Florida moves to 3-0 on the year, and 1-0 in conference play.
THE FOURTH QUARTER
There isn’t too much back-and-forth in this contest. Florida has played relatively conservative, and close to the vest, as the running game has been getting it done, and the Gators clearly want to limit Eric Berry’s impact on this game. While it’s respect for an opposing player that has influenced the Florida offensive game plan, it’s a lack of respect – for Tennessee’s own quarterback – which has influenced the Volunteers today. Jonathan Crompton hasn’t made too many mistakes, but then again, he hasn’t had the opportunity to do so, either.
While the Vols got it done on the ground early, the Gators have been keying on the run since the second quarter, and the stats back that fact up. The Vols ran up 59 yards in the first period of play – and have just 25 since then. The Gator defense looked kind of rough on that first series, and the coaches will have plenty to jump on the team about when they look at the tape of this one.
Sometimes one play changes the entire complexion of a game, and in this contest, it will surely be Tim Tebow’s fumble inside the Tennessee five-yard line as the Gators were driving early in the second-quarter. For those of you who dared to put your money on the Gator covering that 29-point spread, that is the play that will go down as having kept Florida from winning by a more comfortable margin.
The fumble, which was caused by true freshman defensive tackle Montori Hughes, and returned by defensive back Dennis Rogan to the Tennessee 37-yard line. From there, Tennessee easily moved the ball with Brandon Spikes out of the lineup for Florida. It was reported that Spikes suffered a heel injury of some sort, and he did not return to the line up. Montario Hardesty broke through the line for a 17-yard touchdown, completing a 14-point swing that turned this game from a potential route, into one which actually ended up coming down to the wire. At that point, Tennessee cut the lead to 23-13, and that’s where the game would finish. More coming as I’m heading down to speak with Lane Kiffin as we speak…
THE THIRD QUARTER
* I’ll give Jonathan Crompton credit. Through a half he has managed to avoid the big mistake – although the Tennessee game plan clearly has been designed to take the pressure off of his shoulders. We’ll see what happens if Florida can make this a two or three possession game early in the second half. What happens when Jonathan Crompton has to try and win this game for Tennessee?
* I’m really surprised with the play of the Tennessee defense up front. Everyone knows that the Vols have a talented secondary – led of course by All-American free safety Eric Berry. But the undersized and undermanned front seven, a group I figured would have some issues with the beefy Florida offensive line, has played admirably through a half. Let’s see if that defensive line for Tennessee – which isn’t deep, can keep their legs through four quarters.
* The home-field advantage has certainly been in play for the Gators today. While they fans have been quiet at times (in part due to Tennessee’s surprising play), but they have made their presence felt today, and boy are the stands filled with blue.
Before the game, I told a number of people that Jonathan Crompton was basically guaranteed to throw two interceptions in this game, the key to Tennessee was making sure that – a) it wasn’t more than two, and b) they limited the Florida returns on those throws where the ball was picked off.
Through a half, I thought this prediction might turn out to be wrong, as the Tennessee gameplan was clearly designed to limit the number of bad passes Crompton could make. However, the ol’ Catfish was up to his usual ways again, as he telegraphed a pass on the sideline which was intercepted by Joe Haden at the Florida 35.
While another Florida drive moved deep into Tennessee territory, the Gators were foiled again by the Volunteer defense. With a first-and-ten at the UT 23, Tebow was stopped for a loss of two, followed by a sniffed-out shovel pass to Aaron Hernandez by the Tennessee defense which went for a loss of one. Tebow found Aaron Hernandez over the middle, but can’t quite shake loose, as he is stopped five yards short of a first-down. Caleb Strugis converts the 35-yard field goal with 9:33 to play, and Florida has now pushed it to a two-possession game, taking a 16-6 lead.
On the next possession, Lane Kiffin shows to what lengths he is going to prevent Jonathan Crompton from losing this game. The Vols go three-and-out, and despite facing a third-and-20 from their own 30-yard line, Lane Kiffin calls for a third-straight handoff to Montario Hardesty, which goes for no gain.
Following Chad Cunningham’s second punt of the game, the Gators embark on a 13-play, 69-yard drive that totally deflates any wind still left in Tennessee’s sails. Jeff Demps would carry it in from 7-yards out, and Caleb Sturgis would send it through the uprights as he remained perfect on the day – Florida takes a 23-6 lead to the fourth quarter, as the fans are into the game now, and the outcome of the game is no longer in question – all that is left to decide is how much Florida would be able to pound the Volunteers in the fourth quarters, and whether or not they will cover that impressive 29-point spread.
THE SECOND QUARTER
Uh-oh. Someone just woke up Tim Tebow. He’s on the sidelines yelling at teammates, getting the crowd pumped up, baptizing babies, and who knows what else. Florida’s true workhorse back just romped into the end zone, as he and the offensive line drove the Tennessee front about three yards deep into the end zone to give Florida a 9-3 lead with 12:48 to play, capping of an 11-play, 72-yard drive which took 5:12 off of the game clock. The Caleb Sturgis extra-point was good. The drive was promising in that (unlike Florida’s first series) the Gator offensive line was able to move the Tennessee defensive front, and the Gator running backs were able to make some Volunteer defenders miss in the open field.
By the way, someone hand Eric Berry his jockstrap – he just left it on the field. Berry, known for his highlight-reel hits that routinely show up on Youtube (including a devastating slobberknocker against Knowshon Moreno last ear) – just took a shot from Tim Tebow that threw him back a couple of yards and to the ground. It wasn’t the most vicious hit that Tebow has ever delivered – but it adds Berry to an illustrious list of defenders who Tebow has delivered that type of shot to in the past three years.
While Tebow would win that battle between the two most decorated players in the Southeastern Conference (one on each side of the ball), Berry would live on to fight another one. He would win the next showdown between the two as he intercepted a poor Tebow pass intended for Riley Cooper on the Florida 20-yard line. Despite a review from the booth, replays showed that Berry clearly got his hands under the ball to make a beautiful catch of the ball.
The Tennessee offense, now given great field position to work with, simply can’t do anything with it. The Vols drive all the way to the Florida four-yard line after Montario Hardesty breaks loose for ten yards. The Florida defense, which hasn’t been themselves through a quarter-and-a-half of play, stands tall again, pressuring Jonathan Crompton into a couple of passes that sail wide of their intended targets in the right corner of the end zone. Daniel Lincoln connects on another short field-goal to cut Florida’s lead to four, 10-6, with 5:56 to play before the half.
Tim Tebow leads Florida on a really nice drive in response to Tennessee’s field goal. An option pitch to Jeff Demps on the first play gives Florida 21 yards, and immediately sets them up in Tennessee territory. Chris Walker gets credit for the Volunteers’ second sack of the game on second-and-eight from the Tennessee 40. However, the Gators take advantage of the aggressive scheme by the Vols by calling a tight end screen to Aaron Hernandez that goes for 19 yards – and most importantly, a first-down – on the following play.
However, give Tennessee credit once again. The Vols toughen up in the red zone, keeping the Gators from a touchdown on when Vol safety Janzen Jackson breaks up a pass intended for Brandon James with a vicious hit. Caleb Strugis connects on a 29-yard field goal to give the Gators a 13-6 lead with just under a minute to play.
The Vols elect to run just one play – a one-yard carry by Montario Hardesty before heading to the locker rooms. In essence, they won the first half simply by managing to stay in the game against a superior opponent on the road.
Through a two quarters, I have to say – Florida is not playing very well, and the score has reflected that. The poor tackling by Florida’s defense directly lead to the long opening drive for Tennessee. The Vols game plan is working to perfection, and they have to be overjoyed going into the half down by only a touchdown.
The Volunteers open the second-half with the ball. If they can generate some points – any points on their opening possession to start the second half this one could get really dicey. If the Florida defense continues to settle into a groove (as they appeared to do in the second quarter) – the Gators could finish this game off before the fourth quarter begins. In any case, we have a ballgame here in Gainesville, folks. Who would have thought this when Brandon James took that opening kickoff 50 yards to begin the game?
FIRST QUARTER
Here’s some of the big storylines I’ll be watching going into Florida’s first SEC game of the year – the long-awaited showdown with Tennessee and new head coach Lane Kiffin.
* Will Brandon James continue his incredible run of special teams play against Tennessee? James has had made a significant return against the Vols in each one of the previous three contests between the SEC rivals.
* How will Monte Kiffin’s defense hold up in their first look against a spread offense? Remember, Tennessee’s defense played well against Tim Tebow last year, holding him under 100 yards passing, and limiting him to just 26 yards on the ground in last year’s contest in Knoxville. Tennessee was ranked among the top 12 teams in the country in every major defensive category (total defense, scoring defense, rushing defense, and passing defense) under John Chavis a year ago. The defense has not been an issue for the Vols – it’s been the offense.
* On that vein, how will the Tennessee offense hold up? The Vols have a talented stable of backs, but the quarterback play from Jonathan Crompton has been inconsistent (at best) since he took over as the starter at the beginning of the 2008 season. Will he be able to limit his mistakes today? He will have to if Tennessee hopes to win this game.
* Finally, will the two Gator recruits that decommitted from Florida to sign with Tennessee in the 2009 recruiting class (Nu’Keese Richardson and Marsalis Teague) make an impact on today’s game? After being heavily involved in Tennessee’s season-opening 63-7 victory over Western Kentucky, the two combined for just one touch (a 6-yard Richardson punt return) in last week’s 19-15 loss to UCLA..
It was kind of nice walking in to the stadium today. For the first time all year I felt something – genuine excitement – for the game this afternoon. Gator fans are definitely amped for this one today. I also saw a Gator fan tossing a football over cars moving down the street to a Vol fan on the other side of the road. Maybe not every fan is looking for blood today, it would seem.
The answer to point number one of the pre-game notes came quickly. Brandon James once again breaks open against the Volunteer kick coverage unit. The one man he has to beat – defensive back Art Evans of Lakeland – decides to grabs the f ace mask of number twenty-five. Tack on 15 yards to a 50-yard return for James.
Even with the great field position, the Florida offense comes out a little flat. Although Tebow converts on a fourth-and-two from the Tennessee 22-yard line, Tennessee end Ben Martin forces Tebow to intentionally ground the ball on second-and-seven from the Tennessee 19-yard line. The resulting 14-yard loss really takes the win out of Florida’s sails, and the Gators are forced to go for the field goal. Caleb Sturgis converts on the 37-yard attempt as Florida takes the early 3-0 lead with 11:33 to play in the f irst quarter.
The next series by Tennessee is exactly what they need to establish if they want to win this ball game. The Vols simply take it to the Gators up front. Poor tackling, and no push from the big guys up front for the Florida defense allow Tennessee to drive it deep into Florida territory. Crompton attempts just one pass on the series – a low-risk pass to Gerald Jones that goes for 17-yards. He even takes a sack of 2 yards on second-and-ten from their own 27-yard line, which showed a good decision on the part of the much-maligned signal-caller. The Tennessee drive comes to a rest at the Florida seven-yard line, but Daniel Lincoln converts on a 27-yard field goal, and all of the sudden the Vols think they can play in this game, with the score tied at 3-3 with 3:00 to go in the first quarter.
As we head to the second quarter, the Gators are driving – down to the Tennessee 38-yard line, but it’s a defensive struggle through one. It should be no surprise that Tennessee has stood tall through one quarter of play. The second quarter belonged to Florida a week ago. Will that be the case against Tennessee as well?