Florida vs. Tennessee score: Live game updates, college football scores, NCAA top 25 highlights in Week 3
Florida dominated both sides of the football taking a 26-7 halftime lead on No. 11 Tennessee in the SEC opener for both teams. The Gators thrived offensively with the run and pass in the first half as Graham Mertz, Trevor Etienne and Montrell Johnson Jr. each scored rushing touchdowns. Johnson also scored on a screen pass from Mertz that covered 18 yards. Etienne's 62-yard touchdown scamper in the first quarter put the Gators on the board and brought the first of 26 unanswered points for the Florida, which is looking to win its 10th straight home game against Tennessee.
The Gators ran 42 plays vs. just 22 for the Vols as Florida controlled the football and converted on 7 of 8 third-down plays. The Gators also forced Joe Milton's first interception since 2020 when Desmond Watson drilled the Tennessee quarterback as he released a pass, causing it to flutter softly down the field where Devin Moore intercepted it. Moore ran the pick back 39 yards, and a personal foul penalty was tacked on, eventually resulting in a 1-yard Mertz score. Tennessee's last win at Florida came in 2003, and it will take a big second half for the Vols to end their misery in the Swamp.
Keep it locked here throughout Florida vs. Tennessee with live updates, analysis and highlights from the game.
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Tennessee's issues
The Volunteers mustered just FIVE first downs in the first half and were outscored 26-0 after taking a 7-0 lead. Average time of possession for Tennessee is just 1:39 while Florida's is 3:37. The Volunteers struggled on third downs and their offensive line struggled to protect Joe Milton. The issues go on, but Vols are getting whipped in all facets after showing some serious warning signs in an ugly win over FCS foe Austin Peay last week.
Florida up at the half
Half: Florida 26, No. 11 Tennessee 7
The magic is back at the Swamp after what was a tremendous first half for the Gators. Graham Mertz is 17-for-20 for 146 yards, one passing touchdown and one rushing touchdown on the evening. More importantly, Montrell Johnson Jr and Travis Etienne each have a rushing touchdown in what has been total domination up front for the Gators. The story of the game has been Florida's third-down offense, which has converted seven of its eight third down attempts. Here's a look at the halftime stats.
Make that four in a row for the Gators
2:22 Q2: Florida 26, No. 11 Tennessee 6
Make that four touchdowns in a row for a Florida offense that is firing on all cylinders. Montrell Johnson Jr found the end zone for the second time tonight, this time on an 18-yard touchdown from Graham Mertz with pressure in his face. Mertz did a great job selling a screen to the left before coming back to Johnson on the screen to the right. The Gators are averaging 6.9 yards per play against a Tennessee defense that is getting blown off the ball on a consistent basis.
Third-down defense
Florida has converted on 7 of 8 third downs and is marching deep into Tennessee territory yet again. Vols have had their opportunities to get off the field and have failed to do it. Part of that is UF getting into favorable third-and-shorts, but there have been a few of blown third-and-long plays by the Vols as well. Third-down defense was a concern for this team last season as well, and it is certainly appearing to be a lingering issue.
Three in a row for the Gators
7:20 Q2: Florida 19, No. 11 Tennessee 7
Florida scored its third rushing touchdown in as many drives, and is playing "bully-ball" against what looks to be an out-manned Tennessee defensive front. Quarterback Graham Mertz plunged in from one yard out to make it a two score game. It's very encouraging to see the Gator offensive line dominate the line of scrimmage after a brutal year through two games. They're averaging 6.2 yards per carry on the ground and, in the process, has taken pressure off a passing game that is still without Eugene Wilson III.
Gut check for Tennessee
Tennessee is facing a gut check now, trailing 19-7 and being dominated on the road against a Florida team that is executing to near-perfection with the backing of a raucous home crowd. If the Vols are not able to get something sustainable going offensively, their defense is going to wilt against this slow-paced and effective Florida offensive machine. The play differential is at 34-13, and the Vols have had no chance to find an offensive rhythm.
Florida's defense gets it right back
Cornerback Devin Moore picked off Joe Milton which was the first time since 2020 that Milton has been picked. Desmond Watson forced pressure on the play, which led to Milton just heaving it up there. Tennessee got a personal foul tacked on at the end. It was Florida's first takeaway of the year.
Disaster for Vols
Joe Milton just threw his first interception since 2020 as he was hit by Desmond Watson, causing the football to flutter and land in the arms of Devin Moore. He returned to the Tennessee 9-yard line. The Volunteers struggled out of the gate on that series with center Ollie Lane picking up a false start on first down. He's starting at center again in place of Cooper Mays, who was a game-time decision but could not go due to injury. Vols' mettle will be tested here in their first true road game of the season.
Florida is gashing Tennessee's defense
9:29 Q2: Florida 12, No. 11 Tennessee 7
It's safe to say that, at this point, Florida's offense is more impressive than we've seen at any other point this season. Montrell Johnson Jr scored from four yards out to give Florida its first lead of the game. It was the second, 14-play drive of the game for a Florida offense that has been wildly inconsistent this year. More importantly, the offensive line has been blowing Tennessee players off the ball which has allowed Etienne, Johnson and the rest of the Florida ball-carriers to rack up 104 yards on the ground. Coach Billy Napier decided to go for two, and the Vols stopped a tunnel screen. It's a little too early to start chasing points ... especially since Florida's offense doesn't seem to have any issue moving the football against Tennessee.
Time of possession
Tennessee's offense is going to need to stay on the field for a bit next time it gets the football — avoid a 3-and-out if at all possible — because Florida's offense is dominating the time of possession early in this game. Fatigue could become an issue for the Volunteers' defense soon. Florida has run 28 plays vs. just 11 for the Vols as the Gators surge deep into Tennessee territory and try to take the lead.
Defensive concerns
Tennessee's defense stood strong on the opening series by forcing a long field goal attempt, but Florida has had no problem finding an offensive rhythm early in this game. The Volunteers have been stout defensively through two games but are facing their toughest test yet. To further illustrate the point, the Vols just allowed Mertz to escape the pocket and complete a contested throw on third-and-12 to keep a drive alive. Tennessee hasn't let Ricky Pearsall beat it yet, but the Gators are finding other avenues of production.
Eugene Wilson III into the locker room, Gators score anyway
4:10 Q1: No. 11 Tennessee 7, Florida 6
Wilson had six catches for 44 yards on their first drive of the game, but it looks like the Gators will be without their best receiving threat for at least a little bit. He walked to the locker room shortly before their second drive of the game. However, Trevor Etienne took off on a 62-yard run four plays later to get the Gators on the board. Adam Mihalek missed the extra point, and the Volunteers still lead. It's nice to see the Gator rushing attack come back with a vengeance.
Multiple blunders
Multiple Tennessee players missed tackles on the 62-yard touchdown run by Trevor Etienne, but none more noticeable than the whiff by cornerback Kamal Hadden, who was among a couple members of the Vols' secondary who failed to bring Etienne down. The pain will be compounded by the fact that Tennessee allowed Florida to convert a third-and-5 on the previous play with a completion over the middle to Caleb Douglas.
Big plays, tempo baffles Gators
The Gators knew what was coming, and they couldn't do anything to stop it. The Vols' six-play, 71-yard drive lasted only 2:01 and the Gators find themselves down 7-0. Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton III showed off all of his tools and the Vols had three plays of 10 or more yards, and the lack of pressure up front by the Gators is concerning. Florida is going to have to heat him up
Milton on target
Ramel Keyton get the touchdown catch to put Tennessee ahead, but it was a 41-yard completion down the left sideline to Squirrel White that stood out. Milton struggled to hit deep shots in the season's first two games but found White in stride on a perfectly thrown ball to establish the Volunteers at UF's 11-yard line. The touchdown throw to Keyton came immediately after. Impressive opening strike from the visitors as Milton is 4 of 4 out of the gate.
Florida's first drive comes to a halt
Quarterback Graham Mertz had his offense cruising down the field, but Florida's biggest question mark came back to haunt the Gators down the stretch. The offensive line has struggled mightily this year, and back-to-back tackles for loss by Tennessee forced Florida to settle for a 46-yard field goal attempt -- which Adam Mihalek pushed right. The Gators can't live like that.
Big tackles for loss
Consecutive tackles for loss by Aaron Beasley and Gabe Jeudy-Lally left the Gators in a fourth-and-13 and with little choice but to try (and miss) a long field goal there. Nice stand from a Tennessee defense that came out playing quite conservatively on the game's opening possession. One injury note to watch: Tennessee defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott needed help from the training staff after being credited with a tackle on Florida running back Trevor Etienne at the 9:37 mark. The Arizona State transfer has become a staple of the team's interior rotation in his first season with the Vols.
Defending Eugene Wilson
Tennessee defensive coordinator Tim Banks will have plenty to think about with the way the Gators used Eugene Wilson III on this drive. Defending Ricky Pearsall had to be a priority of the gameplan. But UF is clearly prioritizing Wilson, the speedy freshman, early on. He's a tough matchup because of his versatility and the variety of ways UF will use him.
Coin toss
Tennessee won the coin toss and deferred the second half, meaning Florida will get the football first. It's the SEC opener for both teams, and kickoff is here. Huge chance for Tennessee to validate itself as a national contender. For Florida, it's a chance to rinse the taste of a season-opening loss at Utah and get second-year coach Billy Napier some momentum.
Tennessee vs. Florida ATS prediction
It's impossible to trust Florida's offense. Mertz can't stretch the field and Tennessee's defensive front will get after him from the moment toe meets leather. Tennessee's offense is way too talented and dynamic to struggle for the second straight week. Tennessee will be up double digits at halftime and might make it a three-touchdown game by the time things wrap up. Pick: Tennessee -6.5 -- Barrett Sallee
Tennessee vs. Florida over/under prediction
These teams combined for 71 points last season as the Volunteers squeaked out a 38-33 victory in a game that featured nearly 1,200 yards of offense. But both teams have downgraded at quarterback since then and have questions to answer offensively. Tennessee's critical downfield passing game is a work in progress, and Florida must prove that it can run the football better than it did during a Week 1 loss at Utah. With neither unit close to peak offensive capacity, the punters should stay busier this year. Pick: Under 59 -- David Cobb
Joe Milton's moment
"No pressure, Joe Milton, but this is on you. No. 11 Tennessee visits Florida on Saturday carrying a next-big-thing reputation in the SEC. Last year's 11-win season fueled the hype -- and not just in Neyland Stadium. Suddenly, the Volunteers have the coach (Josh Heupel), the momentum and the roster to make a major move in the SEC ... perhaps even nationally. That is a glimpse of Tennessee's potential. Now, about Milton, do the Vols have the quarterback? This is his moment against the Gators for a lot of reasons." -- Dennis Dodd.
Players only meeting
Typically, when word leaks out from any team about a players-only meeting, it's a sign that things aren't going well. Tennessee had such a meeting after its underwhelming performance against Austin Peay. Senior defensive lineman Omari Thomas said the Vols hold players-only meetings "whenever we feel like that it's something coming up or you might see guys just kind of falling off or lacking a little bit." There must have been plenty to discuss considering the Vols led Austin Peay just 13-6 at halftime last week before using a touchdown midway through the fourth quarter to finally gain separation on their in-state FCS opponent. Austin Peay edged the Vols 19-17 in first downs during the matchup, and Tennessee committed 10 penalties.
Centers could play
Both teams navigated their first two games without their starting centers, who have been out due to injury. But both could be back this week as Florida's Kingsley Eguakun and Tennessee's Cooper Mays were both expected to practice this week. Neither coach has revealed whether their center will play, but the presence of either on the field would constitute a significant boost. Eguakun started 26 games at center over the past two seasons for the Gators and is in his fifth year with the program. Mays has logged 21 starts at center for the Vols for the past two years and earned a spot on the 2023 preseason All-SEC third team.
Offensive questions
Milton is just 2 of 11 this season on passes that have traveled more than 15 yards past the line of scrimmage through the air, according to TruMedia. Of his 42 completions, 28 have come at or behind the line of scrimmage. If the Vols are going to hit their stride offensively, they must make opponents respect their downfield passing game. Florida also has quarterback questions of its own as Wisconsin transfer Graham Mertz enters his third start with the program following four seasons with the Badgers. He's been more successful than Milton throwing downfield, completing 7 of 12 throws more than 15 yards past the line of scrimmage through two games. But in the loss to Utah, Florida struggled to run the football, and Mertz isn't a world-beating playmaker who can single-handedly lead the Gators to victories over quality SEC foes.
