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GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Tennessee came with Kryptonite.
The Vols just didn't have a big enough supply.
They forced turnovers, harassed Tim Tebow in the pocket and dished out some punishment on Superman, but eventually the Florida quarterback and the No. 1 Gators wore down the UT defense and held on for a 23-13 win on Saturday at The Swamp.
"I thought the plan was great on defense, I thought we executed great, but at the end of the day Superman is back there with the ball and we've got to find a way to tackle him," UT coach Lane Kiffin said. "I don't know how you do that.
"It takes a toll on you, because every time they get to third-and-3 and less, they're going to make it almost every time because they're going to snap it and No. 15 is going to run straight ahead. It's frustrating."
The Vols didn't make it much easier on the former Heisman Trophy winner, sacking him three times and making him grind for most of his 76 yards. Tebow particularly struggled to find much room to operate in the first half with UT winning the battle up front and often finding him in the backfield.
But the Gators turned Tebow into a battering ram in a methodical third quarter, and eventually the Vols toppled over - if for no other reason than having to spend 11 minutes trying to bring him down.
"We went two-and-out and three-and-out (offensively), and against that offense it's going to wear you down," Kiffin said. "You think you've got (Tebow) and you're playing so well as our defense is, you're hitting them, you're smacking them around, and you just pray the thing stays at third-and-4 or more because you know once it gets to third-and-3 you know what's going to happen.
"I guess the answer to that is we need to find a Tim Tebow in recruiting and he'd help us probably."
UT has its own version defensively in Eric Berry, and he certainly did as much to help his stagnant Heisman campaign as Tebow. The junior safety nabbed his first interception of the season and led the Vols with 11 tackles, two of which went for a loss - both on the Florida quarterback.
He also had lots of help slowing down the powerful spread offense though.
The Vols had three different linemen make sacks, Dennis Rogan scooped up a Tebow fumble that set up the last touchdown and Nick Reveiz turned in a handful of heady plays to keep the Gators from rolling to the blowout they wanted so badly against Kiffin. But they couldn't keep them from at least staying undefeated.
"We didn't get really, really tired," Reveiz said. "We really, really practice hard on long drives and three-and-outs, going back in on sudden changes, things like that. We're prepared for those things.
"Naturally, you're going to get tired sometimes, it's just one of those things that makes championship defenses is pushing through those things. We have to get better at that, too. I don't think at one point anybody shied away from (Tebow). … This team wants to win so bad, I think that's evident in how we play."
Defensively, not many teams can do it better.
But the Vols also had to contend with an offense at the top of its game as well, and Florida was clearly the more balanced team - and the one with a more rested defense.
"It's no secret," Kiffin said. "Their team has had four years to be put together. That team is much deeper than we are.
"We've got some players that made some plays today. We're not deep, but that's not our players' fault. It is what it is, and we don't have a lot of answers to go with when we start wearing down. The answer is to do our plan, which was to keep our defense off the field, which happened in the first half."
UT just didn't have quite enough to finish the next one.
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Comments » 71
98memories writes:
We good, recruiting should benefit from this moral victory.
utfpmd writes:
Where else would the top defensive recruits in the nation want to play? Come to UT and learn how to play in the NFL.
And my guess is Scroggins is thinking twice about committing to USC after their loss to last year's 0-11 Washington.
hillsborovol writes:
Make that 0-12 for the 2008 Huskies!!!
cc1 writes:
I love it when U.T. fans are happy with moral victories.
cc1 writes:
you still lost and out coached nothing like wasting 4 minutes down by 10 with 5 minutes to go.
usnavyvol writes:
Lost..Yes..Out Coached no. UF this time had more skill players.
revjulian writes:
A LOT of Gator fans are getting more and more nervous near the end of the season when their QB graduates and gets picked up as A FA in the NFL draft next year. That sound out of Gainesville was the Gator Nation savoring their last victory against UT for LONG, LONG time.
abnermc writes:
Gators, be afraid ,be very afraid.It's time!
kabulvol writes:
I love it when liquored up UF fans get tired of playing with their Timmy Tebow doll and come here to post.
volzcrushm writes:
I understand your fear... with Tebone gone next year, Oscar Meyer with run too, if it will just open up in south bend for him. Yes, UF will be back to losing often and regularly to UT and others.
allvol32 writes:
Loss by 10 against the National Champs 2 out of the last 3 years in their own back yard????
Yeah buddy...I'll take that considering this is a "rebuilding" year. Not to mention a top 10 recruiting class last year and another one this year? Come on up to Knoxville next year gators..."It's Time".
How many times have the interlopers bragged about how this year was going to be a 60 point beat down - I DON'T THINKS SO!!!!!!
I hate moral victories but man oh man this was definitely a moral victory in the swamp!!!
Gator players and fans will be looking in the mirror a lot after this game not to mention obsessing with next year's trip to Knoxville.
givehim6 writes:
One post game image that's being played a lot that is funny is where after being sacked or something T-bone goes running back to his teammates crying for the O line to block better for him, I don't care who you are that's funny
DekanGator writes:
That,I can honestly say, is not the same Tennessee team I have see the last few years.
Great job by your Coaches and players.
The Defense that played today was fast,physical, swarming, and not an ounce of quit in them.
The offense played smart, although limited,The "O" line was more physical then the Gators, Great job Tennessee,
I think the play that hurt Tennessee the most was not the "inning ending play" but the penalty when you were 1st and 25
It was such fun to watch players like Tim Tebow and Eric Berry play. They are both class acts and assets to the SEC.
Good luck Vol fans and see you next year.
jcherrie#219531 writes:
On the road, UCLA put more pressure on Crompton than UF did at home. Switch QBs and we win by 20. Florida's offense wasn't any better than UCLAs. Any Florida fan that isn't worried is an idiot.
knoxvol865 writes:
I dont know what game your watched but to say that UCLA's offense was "as good" as Florida's tells me that you must not have watched both games 'or' you just dont know much about football
steelersman42 writes:
thank you, DekanGator, for a classy post like this one. what a game today, huh? I'm lookin forward to next year already...
2407westTN_VOLSfan writes:
One thing I didn't miss was a team with their heads down and not wanting to finish the game. I remember last years game with the coach pulling his hat all around his head in disgust. Those days are gone. I honor Coach Phil, but the energy that Coach K brings to the game is great to see. He was not happy and felt we should have won. I am not looking forward to next year, I am looking forward to Ohio next week and playing other SEC games this year.
GO VOLS!!!!
Cldvols1 writes:
Thanks for the comments Dekan, and I appreciate the good sportmanship! Go Vols
Lostvolinhighweeds writes:
Thanks D.C...... and EXCELLENT recovery time!
VOLKING writes:
Berry is great, but I am loving this Reveiz kid. He is tough as nails and plays all-out. Reminds me of Dale Jones in the mid-80's. I am really encouraged by this, even though it was a loss. I look forward to seeing how we progress this year. I won't be looking at wins and losses. If we continue to recruit well and get better each week, the wins will come.....and many of them too.
Hunter writes:
Now there's a true SEC football fan. I hate Florida with every fiber of my being (though admittedly #15 may be the best collegiate player in history and a role model in the mold of both Dany Wuerrful and Peyton), but I can admire a well-fought game no matter the outcome. Thanks for doing your less fortunate fellow UF fans a favor and trying to redeem the lot of you. Come around and post anytime - you have made the list with 99gator of Florida fans who we can vehemently oppose, but still respect.
GREAT effort today by the Vols! Urban Meyer is not sleeping as well as CLK tonight wondering how he will cope with a Tennessee team that refuses to back down!!!
mcever writes:
Honestly... I think UCLA is better than advertised, Neuheisel and Chow are only in their 2nd year, and just not getting their players goin in the program.
VolNWA writes:
Let me get this straight. We only went 5-7 last year, played ugly and lost to UCLA, losing the last 2 years to you by a combined 63 pts, play without a cool-under pressureQB and a banged up and young receiving corps, with a new coaching staff, and only lose by 10 on the road against "the best college football team of all time" and we shouldn't be impressed by the effort? Usually I don't believe in moral victories, considering the circumstances I would say this is quite a BIGGIE.
teampenny#658108 writes:
I believe we will be even money next year. Hate to bust bubbles in the SEC there are only wins and losses. You can say moral victory to the the cows come home-it ain't so. SEC is about what is real-not what you hope for. Lane even said he was not happy-nor should we be!
writer#358485 writes:
Allow me to add my thanks and welcome to our board, DG. A classy post by a true college football fan. Florida is a great team, especially with Tebow, and I'll be pulling for you to win it all. I hope Saturday's game is the closest you come to losing all season. We're rebuilding, reloading and I really like the Kiffins, even though I continue to honor Coach Fulmer for what he accomplished early in his Vol tenure. Next year's game in Knoxville should be equally great and I like our chances at this point. The Vols are coming back--and fast--under the Kiffins. I expect we'll give you an even better game next year, or it might be you give us one. Either way, it's good to see respectful posts on both sides. Go Vols!
CadmiumOchre (Inactive) writes:
[[[[[[DekanGator writes:
That,I can honestly say, is not the same Tennessee team I have see the last few years.
Great job by your Coaches and players.
The Defense that played today was fast,physical, swarming, and not an ounce of quit in them.
The offense played smart, although limited,The "O" line was more physical then the Gators, Great job Tennessee,
I think the play that hurt Tennessee the most was not the "inning ending play" but the penalty when you were 1st and 25
It was such fun to watch players like Tim Tebow and Eric Berry play. They are both class acts and assets to the SEC.
Good luck Vol fans and see you next year.]]]]
Vols fans, take note. DekanGator's attitude in this post is what all fans should be. Glad your own team won but respectful of the opponent and having the dignity to express it in specific terms. And all this without badmouthing anybody. This is the type of 'class" I harp about hoping to see in this forum.
Thank you for the compliments DekanGator. I'd love to have seen us upset the Gators but it was a fine game indeed. I expect and hope as we gain in our rebuilding we will see more great games between our two programs which in times past the outcomes often decided the conference champion and as often resulted in two fine teams heading to bowls to represent the SEC. It's good when the conference has teams that dominate ranking lists year in and out. I remember sports writers saying that if SEC teams didn't cannibalize each other we'd probably have an SEC team as national champion each year. That was a roundabout way of admitting that we really are the best conference and I want to see the Vols right back up there helping make that a continued reality. In the meantime as Kiffin said, we'll see you next year.
HollisPalmer61 writes:
Would you rather be Carrol and lose one game a year to a dope, or Tressel and lose one game a year to a monster?
It seems we have Carrol (for obvious reasons)- a big game coach who will keep us in the game, but will lose a dopey game like UCLA.
I personally think Carrol lives a more charmed life because no one calls him a choker and they get to win the Rose Bowl.
Great game Vols and forget about next year for now. Let's enjoy the rise and more importantly focus on every single opponent.
Crompton, Hardesty, Berry and Reviez are warriors that are laying groundwork for a plan that they will not fully enjoy in their college career. Credit to the warriors
ibvolman writes:
Honestly, with the effort of yesterday's game, and a bit more improvement in QB play, I only see one more loss (if that level is sustained the rest of the year). That other loss is (and I hate to admit it) to Alabubba. Tell me what other team in the SEC is good enough to hang within 10 of the Gators? Are the Gamechickins? HOw about the GA puppy dogs? LSU kittens might hang a bit closer than we did, but...The only one that comes to mind is the Crimson Turds. That is a talented team, big, physical, and the only other team I see with a reasonable chance at beating Florida in the SEC championship game.
After UCLA, I had my doubts. I predicted 8-4 at best before the season. I saw 7-5 or 6-6 after the UCLA game. That effort by the Vols has not only retored my confidence in them, but has boosted my faith in them as well. 9-3 is not impossible, with a top 15 ranking and a good NYD bowl game.
oldorange writes:
Tennessee played much better than I expected them to play. I still stay with my "gues" that UT will win 6-7 this year.
GO VOLS
rusty_shackleford writes:
I don't believe in "Moral Victories". However, I'm happy about this team because they COMPETED for 60 minutes. UT may win about as many as they did last year, but at least we'll compete in 12 games, which they didn't do last year.
heyitsme writes:
It's becoming more apparent as to why CLK disliked around the conference.
Folks, the University of Tennessee now has a "football" coach.
Madkels writes:
The fact that all those idiot interlopers are silent speaks volumes!
TrouserCough writes:
Clearly you're a real student of the game.I guess we should have attempted a two minute drill with a quarterback that through two interceptions out of five passes thrown that had any kind of risk of being intercepted (all others were safe screen passes) Kiffin called the only plays that would work given our quarterback. Stick to gloating about winning, you know squat about football. By the way, have you ever even seen the Florida campus or are you the typcical front running high school graduate?
HallowedHill writes:
No need to worry, I'm sure Kiffin got a boost when UF visiting recruit, Jeff Luc ran on the field to catch up with Kiffin to introduce himself and other visiting recruits. We may have lost the battle, but the war seems to be shifting in our favor.
dma38256#264746 writes:
"Moral" victory doesn't adequately define this performance...this was much more than just a moral victory...
dma38256#264746 writes:
I didn't get that impression at all....that's just what an announcer suggested....They don't come any classier than Tim Tebow.
HallowedHill writes:
I love it when UT gets in Meyer's head. I bet it really burned him up having to say we were a tough team. Even the announcer asked why it was so much easier to believe Tebow (than Meyer). All the talk from UF about running up the score and how Tebow had his coaches back..., and the best they can do is score 23?! ...at home?! I guess that's why UF had their visiting recruits chasing Kiffin down on the field after the game. It's not just UT fans excited to see change is in the air.
“Tebow and the Gators had their heads down afterward. Meyer even said he had to lighten the mood in the locker room.”
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?g...
RTB writes:
DekanGator, I also appreciate your post here.
tomcollins28#554986 writes:
Let's get real here and stop beating our chest! This is a loss and now we're facing another disappointing season. The Gators have 5 straight over us and lead the series. I would prefer to see a winning season before we get too full of ourselves after a loss.
Go Vols!
Hounddog writes:
DC you have a point. CLK taking the same talent and there are a couple of things we true VOLS see. We are not always allowing our oppoents success when they have 3rd and long, we actually have running backs that can get past the line of scrimmage, special teams seem to be in place and productive...more often. Last year Western KY would have been a 17-7 Vol win.
But, congratulations to the Gators, most of the VOLS (self included) will be pulling for FL to win another NC. BTW you have placed some classy post today. I would like to see you maintain that respect for the rest of the year. Good game and FL is the better team. However, the BAMA folks seem to be missing. Could they beleive"if UT can go to the SWAMP and play well...they just might do the same in Tuscalalaland. Except we don't have TEBOW...we wern't good enough to get him"
Let's play football. Hounddog
leedsvol2007 writes:
We lost the game but moved closer to our goal.
Our goal is to move back into being an elite program in the future and to play like Tennessee teams have played for generations.
For the first time in many years we went into "The Swamp" with an excellent game plan, played with poise, stuck to assignments, did not make devastating mistakes in the kicking game or by turning the ball over.
And the television hypesters were shocked by the fact we did not get beat by 60 points.
In short Florida was better than us but did not play better than us. Their defense was better than our offense and they had Tebow on offense who because of his physical ability broke tackles that would have been made on virtually on any other quarterback.
Kiffin and his staff are building a program that will contend for championships and the game Saturday was one of the initial steps in that direction.
panties4tebow writes:
The pantie fl quarterback must have twisted his panties yesterday.....1 Int AND A FUMBLE....
BBBBBBBBBBBBWWWWWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
caliGATOR writes:
i give tenn credit but it's sad when u luv a moral victory! that's not the tenn ftb that i know! that's how far u have falln!
linebam writes:
The article should have called out another defender who made a SPECTACULAR hit in the end-zone to knock the ball out of the receiver's hands... WOW! Saved a touchdown and ended Tebow's "consecutive games with at least one TD pass" streak. I think it was the freshman Jackson, wasn't it? BTW, he looked a little shaken-up after the hit... anyone know if he's OK?
OrangePride writes:
Outcoached? Outcoached? What the heck game did YOU watch? Florida had every big name in the SEC, played at home, and had two cupcakes coming into the day. Tennessee harassed your offense all day, had two drives inside the 10 for points, and a 17 yard touchdown run against Florida's BIG defense. You obviously know NOTHING about coaching OR football as YOU...are an idiot.
Gators0608 writes:
I guess that I fall in the class of "idiot interloper"on here. By the way great use of alliteration. Congratulations to the Vol nation for a well played game and a moral victory; yor players showed a lot of heart.
Tennesee will win some more games this year; a great defense can take you pretty far.
Tennesee's achilles heel is Crompton. He makes Tennesee too one dimensional, too dependent on the running game which is prety good. Failure to have a passing game caused your defense to be on the field too much and too long.
Tennesee's greatest strength? Monte Kiffin. He had a great game plan and had his defense well prepared. I was in the Swamp yesterday, and I will be at Neyland again next year.GO GATORS
panties4tebow writes:
Game Summary:
Trolls prediction: Tennessee was to go down by 60,70 or perhaps 100 points to the panties team - DID NOT HAPPEN, a difference of a least 50 points to as much as 90 - Hope you did not bet. LOL
Line: 29-1/2. DID NOT HAPPEN, a difference of 19-1/2 - Again,Hope you did not bet the line. I say there are alot of empty wallets in fl today. LOL
TRASH TALK - Tennessee has a bozo coach with a losing record and was to get whipped by a superior coach - Again, I hope you did not bet, Fl was outcoached, outplayed and outclassed. LOL
RECRUITING: Tennessee is recruiting one of the best classes ever while fl is sliping. LOL
Tennessee's coach Lane Kiffin said we will see them next year - FEAR KIFFIN AND COMPANY!!!!!!
GO VOLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GuidoKrabb_Vol writes:
the sun is setting on the vaunted Gators program. Alabama is going to annihilate them this year. And next year we are scary... the year after, championship contenders. Gator fans are scrambling to rationalize why the didn't lay down that 60 point smackdown that's been all over these forums... read the press everywhere --- basically states, "Vols Win 13-23, Gators Overrated..." I LOVE it. Rebuild Kiff, we've got your back. Go Vols.
InertGas writes:
No one is happy with a loss. But you witnessed the beginning of the end of the spread offense. Monte will finish the job next year. The single wing the t and the wishbone were once mighty, but no more. Defenses always catch up.
TommyJack writes:
Outcoached?? Is this not the same FL team THAT RETURNED ALL defensive team from last year?? Is this not the FL team that was going to hang 50 on us BY HALFTIME?? Is this not the FL team that MAY BE THE BEST COLLEGE TEAM ever?? Where was all the PAYBACK??
Oh yeah, is this not the FL team that assembled all those blue chip high schoolers for the game?? Thanks for that.
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