The Tennessee Volunteers and the Florida Gators are two of the most storied programs in college football. When these two SEC East rivals clash, it's sure to be a memorable matchup. Let's take a look at the history of this rivalry and what to expect when these two titans of the gridiron meet on the field.
The Tennessee-Florida rivalry dates back to 1916. The two teams have met 54 times overall, with Florida holding a slight edge in the series with a record of 28-24-2. However, the Volunteers have won the last three meetings, including a 34-3 victory in 2020.
Tennessee versus Florida Score
A heated SEC East rivalry.
- 54 total meetings.
- Florida leads series 28-24-2.
- Tennessee won last three meetings.
- Highest-scoring game: 1996 (71-64 Tennessee).
- Lowest-scoring game: 1961 (7-3 Tennessee).
- Most points scored by one team: Tennessee (71 in 1996).
- Fewest points scored by one team: Florida (3 in 2020).
- Most points scored in a quarter: 28 (Florida in 2007).
These two teams are sure to put on a show when they meet on the field.
54 total meetings.
The Tennessee Volunteers and Florida Gators have met on the gridiron 54 times since their first meeting in 1916. Over the years, these two SEC East rivals have produced some of the most memorable games in college football history.
- First meeting:
The first meeting between Tennessee and Florida took place on October 21, 1916, in Knoxville, Tennessee. The Volunteers won the game 21-0.
- Most common score:
The most common score in Tennessee-Florida games is 17-14, which has occurred three times.
- Longest winning streak:
Florida has the longest winning streak in the series, winning six straight games from 1990 to 1995.
- Highest-scoring game:
The highest-scoring game in the series was in 1996, when Tennessee defeated Florida 71-64 in Knoxville. Peyton Manning threw for a school-record 526 yards and six touchdowns in the game.
With such a rich history between these two teams, it's no wonder that the Tennessee-Florida game is one of the most anticipated matchups on the college football schedule each year.
Florida leads series 28-24-2.
Despite trailing in the overall series record, Florida has held a slight edge over Tennessee in recent years. The Gators have won eight of the last 12 meetings between the two teams, including a 34-3 victory in 2020.
- Home-field advantage:
Florida has a significant home-field advantage in the series, with a record of 17-7 in Gainesville. Tennessee, on the other hand, is just 7-16 in Knoxville against the Gators.
- Key players:
Florida has had some key players step up in big moments against Tennessee. Tim Tebow led the Gators to a 21-20 victory in 2008 with a touchdown pass in the final seconds. In 2015, Antonio Callaway returned a punt 85 yards for a touchdown to help Florida win 28-27.
- Defensive dominance:
Florida's defense has been a major factor in the team's recent success against Tennessee. The Gators have held the Volunteers to an average of just 14.5 points per game over the last four meetings.
- Coaching matchup:
Florida head coach Dan Mullen has a 3-1 record against Tennessee, while Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel is 0-1 against the Gators. Mullen has been able to outscheme Heupel in their matchups, and he will be looking to continue that trend in the years to come.
While Tennessee has closed the gap in recent years, Florida still holds a slight edge in the series. The Gators will be looking to extend their lead when the two teams meet again in 2023.
Tennessee won last three meetings.
After a long stretch of dominance by Florida, Tennessee has turned the tables in recent years and won the last three meetings between the two teams.
- 2020: Tennessee 34, Florida 3
The Volunteers dominated the Gators from start to finish in this one, winning 34-3 in Gainesville. Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano threw for 190 yards and two touchdowns, while running back Eric Gray rushed for 101 yards and a touchdown.
- 2021: Tennessee 38, Florida 14
Tennessee won its second straight game against Florida in convincing fashion, winning 38-14 in Knoxville. Quarterback Hendon Hooker threw for 267 yards and two touchdowns, while running back Tiyon Evans rushed for 109 yards and a touchdown.
- 2022: Tennessee 38, Florida 21
The Volunteers made it three straight wins over the Gators with a 38-21 victory in Gainesville. Hooker threw for 349 yards and two touchdowns, while running back Jabari Small rushed for 133 yards and a touchdown.
Tennessee's recent success against Florida is due to a number of factors, including strong quarterback play, a balanced offense, and a stingy defense. The Volunteers will be looking to continue their winning streak against the Gators when the two teams meet again in 2023.
Highest-scoring game: 1996 (71-64 Tennessee).
The highest-scoring game in the history of the Tennessee-Florida rivalry was played on September 28, 1996, in Knoxville, Tennessee. The Volunteers defeated the Gators by a score of 71-64 in a game that featured a combined 135 points and 1,358 yards of total offense.
- Peyton Manning's record-setting performance:
Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning had a record-setting day against Florida in 1996. He threw for 526 yards and six touchdowns, both of which were school records at the time. Manning also ran for a touchdown, giving him seven total touchdowns in the game.
- Florida's offensive explosion:
Florida quarterback Danny Wuerffel also had a big day, throwing for 381 yards and five touchdowns. The Gators also rushed for 214 yards, led by running back Fred Taylor's 119 yards and two touchdowns.
- A back-and-forth affair:
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading touchdowns throughout the game. Tennessee took a 38-31 lead into halftime, but Florida came back to tie the game at 51-51 in the third quarter. The Volunteers eventually pulled away in the fourth quarter, scoring 20 unanswered points to win the game.
- A record-breaking day:
The 1996 Tennessee-Florida game was a record-breaking day for both teams. The combined 135 points scored is the most in the history of the rivalry, and the 1,358 yards of total offense is also a record. Peyton Manning's 526 passing yards and seven total touchdowns are also school records for Tennessee.
The 1996 Tennessee-Florida game is still remembered as one of the most exciting and highest-scoring games in college football history.
Lowest-scoring game: 1961 (7-3 Tennessee).
The lowest-scoring game in the history of the Tennessee-Florida rivalry was played on October 14, 1961, in Gainesville, Florida. The Volunteers defeated the Gators by a score of 7-3 in a defensive struggle.
A defensive battle:
The game was a defensive battle from the start, with both teams struggling to move the ball. Tennessee's defense held Florida to just 108 yards of total offense, while Florida's defense held Tennessee to just 178 yards of total offense. Both teams also turned the ball over multiple times, with Tennessee committing four turnovers and Florida committing three turnovers.
The only touchdown:
The only touchdown of the game came in the second quarter, when Tennessee quarterback Billy Cannon scored on a one-yard run. Cannon's touchdown was set up by a 42-yard pass from quarterback Bob Johnson to wide receiver Buddy Cruze. Florida had a chance to tie the game in the fourth quarter, but kicker Bobby Dodd missed a 32-yard field goal attempt.
A low-scoring affair:
The 7-3 final score was the lowest-scoring game in the history of the Tennessee-Florida rivalry. It was also the first time that either team had been held to three points or less in the rivalry.
The 1961 Tennessee-Florida game is a reminder that even in a rivalry known for high-scoring affairs, defense can sometimes win the day.
Most points scored by one team: Tennessee (71 in 1996).
The most points scored by one team in the history of the Tennessee-Florida rivalry is 71, which was set by Tennessee in the 1996 game.
- Peyton Manning's record-setting day:
Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning had a record-setting day against Florida in 1996. He threw for 526 yards and six touchdowns, both of which were school records at the time. Manning also ran for a touchdown, giving him seven total touchdowns in the game.
- A balanced offensive attack:
Tennessee's offense was firing on all cylinders in the 1996 game. In addition to Manning's big day, running back Jay Graham rushed for 136 yards and two touchdowns, and wide receiver Marcus Nash caught seven passes for 120 yards and two touchdowns.
- Florida's defensive struggles:
Florida's defense had no answer for Tennessee's offense in the 1996 game. The Gators gave up a school-record 71 points and 774 yards of total offense. Florida also committed four turnovers, which led to several Tennessee scores.
- A historic victory:
Tennessee's 71-64 victory over Florida in 1996 is one of the most lopsided wins in the history of the rivalry. It is also one of the highest-scoring games in college football history.
The 1996 Tennessee-Florida game is still remembered as one of the most exciting and highest-scoring games in college football history.
Fewest points scored by one team: Florida (3 in 2020).
The fewest points scored by one team in the history of the Tennessee-Florida rivalry is 3, which was set by Florida in the 2020 game.
A dominant defensive performance:
Florida's defense was dominant in the 2020 game, holding Tennessee to just 146 yards of total offense. The Gators also forced three turnovers, including two interceptions and a forced punt. Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano was held to just 69 passing yards, and running back Eric Gray was held to just 38 rushing yards.
Florida's offensive struggles:
Florida's offense struggled to get anything going against Tennessee's defense in the 2020 game. The Gators were held to just 177 yards of total offense, and they turned the ball over three times. Florida quarterback Kyle Trask was held to just 113 passing yards, and running back Dameon Pierce was held to just 20 rushing yards.
A lopsided victory:
The 2020 Tennessee-Florida game was a lopsided victory for Tennessee, who won 34-3. It was Tennessee's first win in the rivalry since 2016, and it was also Florida's first loss to an unranked opponent since 2014.
The 2020 Tennessee-Florida game is a reminder that defense can sometimes win the day, even in a rivalry known for high- scoring affairs.
Most points scored in a quarter: 28 (Florida in 2007).
The most points scored in a quarter in the history of the Tennessee-Florida rivalry is 28, which was set by Florida in the third quarter of the 2007 game.
Florida's offensive explosion:
Florida's offense exploded in the third quarter of the 2007 game, scoring 28 points in just over 10 minutes of game time. The Gators scored touchdowns on four consecutive possessions, and they also added a field goal. Florida quarterback Chris Leavitt threw for 172 yards and two touchdowns in the third quarter, and running back Kestahn Moore rushed for 116 yards and a touchdown in the third quarter.
A record-setting quarter:
Florida's 28 points in the third quarter of the 2007 game is a record for the most points scored in a quarter in the history of the Tennessee-Florida rivalry. It is also the most points scored in a quarter by any team in the SEC Eastern Division since the division was created in 1992.
A lopsided victory:
Florida's offensive explosion in the third quarter helped the Gators to a 45-13 victory over Tennessee in the 2007 game. It was Florida's largest margin of victory in the rivalry since 1996, and it was also Tennessee's worst loss in the rivalry since 1982.
The 2007 Tennessee-Florida game is a reminder that anything can happen in a rivalry game, and that no lead is safe.
FAQ
Do you have any questions about the Florida Gators?
Here are a few of the most frequently asked questions:
Question 1: When was the University of Florida founded?
Answer: The University of Florida was founded in 1853.
Question 2: Where is the University of Florida located?
Answer: The University of Florida is located in Gainesville, Florida.
Question 3: What is the University of Florida's mascot?
Answer: The University of Florida's mascot is a male American Alligator named Albert.
Question 4: What are the University of Florida's school colors?
Answer: The University of Florida's school colors are orange and blue.
Question 5: What is the University of Florida's fight song?
Answer: The University of Florida's fight song is "The Florida Fight Song."
Question 6: Who are the University of Florida's biggest rivals?
Answer: The University of Florida's biggest rivals are the Georgia Elisen Bulldgsn, the Flsu Saemianlsn, and the Tnnseen Vols.
If you have any other questions about the Florida Gators, please feel free to ask!
Now that you know a little more about the University of Florida, here are a few tips to help you make the most of your Florida Gators experience:
Tips
Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your Florida Gators experience:
Tip 1: Visit the Swamp
The Swamp is the nickname for the University of Florida's football stadium. It is one of the most intimidating stadiums in college football, and it is a must-see for any Florida Gators fan.
Tip 2: Attend a pep rally
Pep rallies are held before every home football game. They are a great way to get pumped up for the game and to show your support for the Gators.
Tip 3: Join a student organization
There are hundreds of student organizations at the University of Florida. Joining a student organization is a great way to get involved on campus and to meet new people.
Tip 4: Take advantage of the university's resources
The University of Florida has a wide range of resources available to students, including libraries, tutoring services, and career counseling. Take advantage of these resources to help you succeed in your studies.
Whether you are a student, a faculty member, or a fan, there are many ways to get involved with the University of Florida and to show your support for the Gators.
The University of Florida is a special place, and I encourage everyone to experience it for themselves.
Conclusion
The University of Florida is a special place. It is a world-class university with a rich history and a vibrant community. The Gators are one of the most successful athletic programs in the country, and they have a passionate fan base that is known for its school spirit.
Whether you are a student, a faculty member, or a fan, there are many ways to get involved with the University of Florida and to show your support for the Gators.
I encourage everyone to experience the University of Florida for themselves. You won't be disappointed.
Go Gators!