21 days…….
#21 - 34-32 vs #2 Florida (2001)
The terrorist attacks on 9/11 postponed the UF game to Dec 1st, and actually made the game a SECE championship contest. Both teams were 9-1, and ranked #4 and #2. UT was a 17.5 point underdog at the Swamp.
Quarterback Casey Clausen started the scoring early when he threw a two-yard touchdown pass to Troy Fleming with 6 minutes, 30 seconds remaining in the first quarter. Kicker Alex Walls made it 7-0 with the extra point.
The Big Orange extended its advantage to 14-0 when Travis Stephens scored on a 6-yard touchdown later in the frame.
The Gators responded in the second stanza by scoring 20 points and keeping UT off the board. The Gators lead 20-14 at the half.
Tennessee regained the lead early in the third quarter when Stephens scored from 35 yards out with 13:26 remaining in the frame.
Florida kicked a 35-yard field goal to enable the Gators to retake the lead, 23-21, with six minutes left in the period.
In the fourth quarter, Jabari Davis scored a pair of short touchdown runs, his second made it 34-26 with 8:47 remaining in the game. His two scores were sandwiched between a 52-yard field goal by Chandler.
Florida pulled to within 34-32 with just over a minute to play when Grossman connected with Carlos Perez from three yards out. Florida missed the potential game-tying two-point conversion.
Tennessee had shocked the college football world……..
Stephens rushed for 226 yards and two scores on 19 carries. Davis had four carries for 11 yards and two touchdowns.
This game would be much higher……except for what unfortunately happened in Atlanta. But…….what a fantastic win and moment in UT history that unfolded in Gainesville.
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