Memories of past Tennessee victories over Florida flashed through the night at Neyland Stadium.

James Wilhoit kicked a 51-yard field goal to give the Vols a 20-14 lead early in the fourth quarter. And when he did, you couldn’t help but remember his game-winning 50-yarder against Florida two years ago.

The 1998 game also came to mind. UT managed only seven first downs and struggled terribly for every yard, but broke two big plays for touchdowns before eventually prevailing in overtime.

Florida had 100 more yards and nine more first downs Saturday night. But UT seemed on the verge of pulling off just enough big plays to convince you it could upset the Gators.

First, there was a 48-yard touchdown pass from wide receiver Lucas Taylor to LaMarcus Coker. Then came the 29-yard pass from Erik Ainge to Jayson Swain to set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Montario Hardesty.

Those big pass plays and Wilhoit’s long field goal would have been enough if UT’s defense had lived up to its reputation.

That defense needed one more stop but couldn’t get it. Instead, you had a couple of Florida quarterbacks making plays in a 65-yard touchdown drive that gave the Gators a 21-20 victory.

Freshman quarterback Tim Tebow, who’s built like a linebacker, converted a fourth-and-1 proposition on a bullish 2-yard run to the UT 26-yard line. Two plays later, Chris Leak completed a 21-yard touchdown pass to a wide-open Dallas Baker.

UT had another chance. And Wilhoit almost had another chance.

But Florida’s defense intervened. The Vols were closing in on Wilhoit’s range at the Florida 39 when the Gators demonstrated their dominance.

Linebacker Brandon Siler blitzed past UT blockers to sack Ainge, who was called for intentional grounding on the play.

Remind you of anything? Hint: It had nothing to do with UT’s national championship season in 1998 or its come-from-behind victory over the Gators two years ago.

The play was right out of a UT 2005 low-light video. Two plays later, the Vols produced another 2005 flashback.

Ainge tried to connect with wide receiver Robert Meachem, who might as well have been jogging through a park. Meachem had his back to the ball when Reggie Nelson made the interception at the Florida 24.

The Vols never got the ball again. And the way their last series unraveled, another possession hardly would have been cause for optimism in the face of a defense that held UT to minus-11 yards rushing, intercepted two passes and sacked Ainge twice.

No one should confuse these Vols with last year’s 5-6 team. They play harder and smarter. Offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe has built a more efficient offense, and Ainge is much-improved at quarterback.

But based on what you’ve seen, you shouldn’t confuse this team with UT’s former East Division champions, either.

Sure, the Vols were dominant in their opening-season victory over a Cal team that seemed bewildered by the whole Neyland Stadium experience. But in the last two weeks, you have seen UT blow a 10-point lead to Florida and almost blow a two-touchdown lead against Air Force.

A defense that wilted in the fourth quarter against Air Force and Florida must play the rest of the season without injured starters Inky Johnson and Justin Harrell. The team now must play catch-up in a division race that has it behind both Florida and Georgia.

And you saw how it looked playing catch-up against the Gators.

Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knews.com.