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17, 2011, in Gainesville, Fla. John Raoux / AP By JOSEPH GOODMAN GAINESVILLE -- Florida defensive lineman Sharrif Floyd returned just in time for the party. The Gators' defensive line danced, celebrated and pounced all over the Tennessee Volunteers on ...
Florida running back Chris Rainey (1) runs past Tennessee defensive lineman Jacques Smith during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011, in Gainesville, Fla.
GAINESVILLE -- Florida defensive lineman Sharrif Floyd returned just in time for the party. The Gators? defensive line danced, celebrated and pounced all over the Tennessee Volunteers on Saturday.
Florida defeated rival Tennessee 33-23 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in the first game back for Floyd, the highly rated defensive tackle who was suspended for the first two games of the season for accepting impermissible benefits while in high school. The Gators held the Vols to minus-9 yards rushing and Florida?s rising superstar, running back Chris Rainey, had another brilliant game.
Florida (3-0) has defeated Tennessee (2-1) seven consecutive times. From the beginning of the annual slugfest, two things were obvious: 1) The Gators are still miles faster on offense than the Volunteers, 2) Florida?s defensive line has the potential to be the best unit in the Southeastern Conference.
?After every play on the headsets I say, ?Did we hit the quarterback?? Florida coach Will Muschamp said. ?I heard that quite a bit, so that?s good.?
Florida took a quick 7-0 lead on its first drive and never looked back. Defensively, the Gators? imposing line harassed Tennessee quarterback Tyler Bray throughout the game. Bray threw for 288 yards and three touchdowns after the Volunteers abandoned its running game but he also tossed a pair of interceptions and was sacked three times. Florida?s defense also registered six quarterback hurries and had six tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
?They were talking a lot of crap during the week about how their quarterback was invincible, so we had to show them we could get to him,? said defensive tackle Jaye Howard, who had an important tackle for loss in the first quarter to force a field-goal attempt. Tennessee kicker Michael Palardy missed it.
Floyd, the sophomore defensive tackle, proved to be an important addition to the Gators? defensive line. Muschamp credited Floyd?s presence with setting the tone defensively. Floyd was just happy to be back on the field after missing two games for accepting assistance as a high school senior from a Delaware-based mentoring program that paid for Floyd to visit several colleges during his recruitment.
Once again, Rainey was the star of the game. He turned in another record-breaking performance in the Gators? third game of the season. He hasn?t been mentioned for the Heisman Trophy yet, but that could change after Saturday?s effort. He rushed for 114 yards on 21 carries, had 104 yards receiving on two catches and blocked his second punt of the season.
Rainey?s 83-yard touchdown to give UF a 30-7 lead with 53 seconds left in the third quarter set a school record for the longest receiving touchdown by a UF running back. Under pressure, Florida quarterback John Brantley found Rainey with a short pass and UF?s speedster did the rest.
Afterward, Rainey said he would make sure to mention the play on Sunday to offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, who kidded Rainey throughout the offseason about being caught from behind throughout his career on long gains.
Brantley, UF?s fifth-year senior quarterback, had another productive game, completing 14 of 23 passes for 213 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. His 1-yard pass to fullback Trey Burton put UF ahead by a touchdown on the first drive. Burton?s reception capped an impressive nine-play, 80-yard drive in UF?s hurry-up offense.
Gators veteran kicker Caleb Sturgis had four important field goals, including a 42-yarder with 7:19 left to clinch the game. Sturgis, whose brother plays professionally in Major League Soccer, is 9 of 9 on field goal attempts this season.
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