Gators Fail to Overcome Tennessee’s Offensive Firepower, Lose 38-33

The Gators fall to Tennessee for just the second time in the last 18 matchups, 38-33.

Anthony Richardson's heroic efforts on the road in Knoxville were not enough for the Gators to come out on top.

The Florida Gators (2-2; 0-2 SEC) fell to the Tennessee Volunteers (4-0; 1-0 SEC) on Saturday afternoon, 38-33. It is just the second UT victory over Florida since 2004 and pushed the Gators to 0-2 in conference play for the first time since 1986.

Tennessee's execution in the middle eight minutes of the contest proved to be the ultimate difference, as it overshadowed a stout showing by Florida in the first half. Scoring a touchdown with just seven seconds remaining in the second quarter before turning around to score another out of the half, the Volunteers put Florida at an insurmountable 10-point deficit.

However, that didn't stop Billy Napier's squad from trying to climb back in against a hard-to-stop offensive attack.

Bouncing back from the first 10-point disadvantage with a strong second-half opening drive, the Gators executed a 75-yard drive in 12 plays on the coat tails of Richardson.

He accounted for his third touchdown of the game on that drive, willing the Gators within three, 24-21.

It looked as if the same would happen on the ensuing drive, although the Gators started at their own three-yard line when Florida went for a fourth and two at the UF 27. Richardson hit wide receiver Justin Shorter deep down the field for a 39-yard gain to put the Gators back in striking distance.

However, the drive ultimately resulted in a turnover on a QB Draw play by Richardson. His fumble negated a scoring opportunity for Florida that would have brought the Tennessee lead back down to three.

The Gators' defense continued to unravel by allowing a big play through the air from Hendon Hooker, leading to the Vols hammering the final nail in UF's coffin.

Conceding 576 total yards of offense and 38 points — despite their matchup against a top-five offense in the NCAA — Florida's lack of talent on the defense was evident for the second week in a row.

This time, instead of allowing the opposition's rushing attack to gash the gaps up front, the lapses from the unit came in pass coverage. Florida allowed a bevy of explosive plays, failing to combat the high-powered Tennessee offense even without a vital member of their wide receiver corps in the mix.

Running back Montrell Johnson and Ricky Pearsall scored two consolation touchdowns, respectively, with 4:49 and 0:17 remaining to supplement the final score before recovering an improbable onside kick to get another opportunity to win. 

The hail mary attempt as time expired fell into the arms of a Tennessee defender to seal the loss for UF.

While there are no moral victories in the SEC, Richardson's performance — 24-for-45, 453 yards, 62 yards on the ground and four total touchdowns — should be a promising area to build upon throughout the rest of the year.

The Gators will return to Gainesville for a week five bout with Eastern Washington at 12 p.m. ET.

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