Gators dominate second half, win eighth straight over Vols

The No. 14 Florida Gators won their eighth consecutive match-up over the Tennessee Volunteers on Saturday, 37-20.

Florida tight-end Jordan Reed catches a touchdown pass in the 2nd half. (Randy Sartin-US Presswire)

On Saturday, the script of the season stayed the same: Florida got off to a slow start in the first half, only to make adjustments in the second half and dominate the remainder of the game. Florida has dominated the fourth quarter every game thus far. “We’ve put a tremendous emphasis on winning the fourth quarter, winning the second half and wearing down our opponent,” said Florida coach Will Muschamp.

Tennessee led at the end of the first half 14-10 and only scored once in the second. Coming in to the game, Tennessee sophomore quarterback Tyler Bray was sensational, throwing for over 600 yards and had no interceptions.

Florida’s defense was able to turn up the pressure on Bray in the second half, forcing Bray’s second interception of the day to junior safety Matt Elam.

After struggling the first two weeks of the season, Florida’s offense exploded for 555 offensive yards, which included an improved performance from sophomore quarterback Jeff Driskel.

[Related: Florida QB Jeff Driskel Named SEC Offensive Player Of The Week]

Driskel has developed more each week and saved his best performance, to date, for Tennessee. He totaled 219 yards passing and 81 yards rushing, with two touchdowns, no turnovers and more importantly, zero sacks after he had been sacked eight times against Texas A&M the week before.

Furthermore, Driskel realizes he has to continually improve: “I still have a long way to go,” said Driskel. “I definitely got better from Game 1 to Game 2 and now Game 3.”

Senior halfback Mike Gillislee rushed for 115 yards, despite playing through a groin injury. However, the star of the game was junior do-it-all Trey Burton who had 91 yards on the ground and two touchdowns, including an amazing 81-yard touchdown run out of the “wildcat.”

After spending the last two weeks on the road, Florida will return to the friendly confines of The Swamp where it will take on 0-3 Kentucky. The Wildcats, who are among the worst teams in the SEC and entire nation, suffered an overtime loss to Western Kentucky on Saturday.

Scenes from Saturday >> Florida Gators vs Tennessee Volunteers

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