KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Dylan Sampson ran for three touchdowns, including the decisive blow in overtime, as No. 8/9 Tennessee overcame a double-digit third-quarter deficit to stave off Florida, 23-17, on Saturday evening in front of a sold-out Checker Neyland crowd of 101,915.
The Vols (5-1, 2-1 SEC) trailed 10-0 midway through the third quarter before scoring 17 unanswered points to seize the lead with just under 10 minutes remaining in the contest. Florida (3-3, 1-2 SEC) evened it up at 17 with 29 seconds left and came up empty on its first possession in overtime, setting the stage for UT’s first walk-off victory since defeating No. 3/1 Alabama, 52-49, in regulation here on Oct. 15, 2022.
On the game-winning drive, quarterback Nico Iamaleava found tight end Holden Staes for three yards, Sampson carried for eight yards, Iamaleava connected with receiver Dont’e Thornton Jr. for 11 yards and Sampson carried for two yards before plowing up the middle for one more to ignite a raucous celebration as well as the orange-hued fireworks launched into the night sky.
Sampson finished the night with 112 yards on a career-high 27 carries. It marked the fifth time in six appearances this year that the junior running back had scored multiple touchdowns on the ground, including the third time he has posted at least three rushing scores.
Defensively, Tennessee came up with big plays at opportune times to prevent the Gators from adding to their lead. Contributing to that effort were a pair of turnovers forced and fourth-down stops, 12 tackles for losses (by 12 players) and three sacks. Safety Christian Charles, LEO Joshua Josephs, STAR Boo Carter and LEO James Pearce Jr. all recorded seven tackles each, with Carter posting a sack and 1.5 TFLs; Joseph 1.5 TFLs and a pass break-up; Pearce a half sack, TFL, forced fumble and fumble recovery; and Charles a TFL. Defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott also was credited with 1.5 sacks along with two tackles.
After forcing Tennessee to punt on its second drive of the game, the Gators took possession at their own 49 and drew first blood. They took 10 plays to move to the UT 24 before Vol defensive tackles Omari Thomas and Bryson Eason stuffed running back Jadan Baugh for a four-yard loss on a third-and-one carry. Trey Smack came on and booted a 42-yard field goal with 3:15 remaining to provide Florida a 3-0 lead it would carry into the locker room at the half.
The Vol defense made several…
The Vols (5-1, 2-1 SEC) trailed 10-0 midway through the third quarter before scoring 17 unanswered points to seize the lead with just under 10 minutes remaining in the contest. Florida (3-3, 1-2 SEC) evened it up at 17 with 29 seconds left and came up empty on its first possession in overtime, setting the stage for UT’s first walk-off victory since defeating No. 3/1 Alabama, 52-49, in regulation here on Oct. 15, 2022.
On the game-winning drive, quarterback Nico Iamaleava found tight end Holden Staes for three yards, Sampson carried for eight yards, Iamaleava connected with receiver Dont’e Thornton Jr. for 11 yards and Sampson carried for two yards before plowing up the middle for one more to ignite a raucous celebration as well as the orange-hued fireworks launched into the night sky.
Sampson finished the night with 112 yards on a career-high 27 carries. It marked the fifth time in six appearances this year that the junior running back had scored multiple touchdowns on the ground, including the third time he has posted at least three rushing scores.
Defensively, Tennessee came up with big plays at opportune times to prevent the Gators from adding to their lead. Contributing to that effort were a pair of turnovers forced and fourth-down stops, 12 tackles for losses (by 12 players) and three sacks. Safety Christian Charles, LEO Joshua Josephs, STAR Boo Carter and LEO James Pearce Jr. all recorded seven tackles each, with Carter posting a sack and 1.5 TFLs; Joseph 1.5 TFLs and a pass break-up; Pearce a half sack, TFL, forced fumble and fumble recovery; and Charles a TFL. Defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott also was credited with 1.5 sacks along with two tackles.
After forcing Tennessee to punt on its second drive of the game, the Gators took possession at their own 49 and drew first blood. They took 10 plays to move to the UT 24 before Vol defensive tackles Omari Thomas and Bryson Eason stuffed running back Jadan Baugh for a four-yard loss on a third-and-one carry. Trey Smack came on and booted a 42-yard field goal with 3:15 remaining to provide Florida a 3-0 lead it would carry into the locker room at the half.
The Vol defense made several…
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