Inside Tennessee's fast start to get first win at Florida since 2003

Josh Heupel called for the big boys.

The Tennessee football coach sent three defensive lineman onto the field for the final play of the first quarter at Florida.

The Vols spent the first 23 plays of the quarter dominating the Gators. Heupel wanted one more — and he got it on a fourth-and-1 in Florida territory. Running back DeSean Bishop followed the blocks of defensive linemen Nathan Robinson, Jaxson Moi and Carson Gentle through for a first down.

“I think first half we started and played the way we’re capable of — at a high level,” Heupel said.

No. 20 Tennessee (8-3, 4-3 SEC) outgained the Gators 190 yards to 1 in the first quarter and led 31-0 at halftime. It rode the sensational beginning to joy, ending its longstanding languish at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium with a 31-11 win against the Gators (3-8, 2-6) on Nov. 22.

How Tennessee won the opening drive against Florida

Tennessee set a tone on its first drive.

Bishop got the ball repeatedly and smashed into the Florida defense, winning tough yards.

“I thought they ran physical, ran hard,” Heupel said.

Bishop rushed five straight times to get the 23-yard line, setting the bait for the Gators. The Vols struck first as tight end Ethan Davis feigned a block and slipped out of the backfield. He took a quick pass from quarterback Joey Aguilar and saw the space.

He had wide receiver Mike Matthews blocking and broke away from a 23-yard touchdown, putting UT ahead 7-0 less than four minutes into the game.

“I just had to make one miss,” Davis said. “I just went out there. The moment was never too big and made the play.”

Joey Aguilar had a perfect first quarter for Tennessee at Florida

Aguilar got rolling on Tennessee’s next two drives. He sprayed the ball around to five different players on his way to a perfect first quarter.

“We had a great week of preparation, great week of practice,” Aguilar said. “Everybody was dialed in and wanted to make a statement. We hadn’t won here in a while, but this team hasn’t played here.”

Aguilar was 9-for-9 for 126 yards and a touchdown in the first quarter, while Tennessee allowed only one yard in the quarter.

Bishop who capped the second drive with a 1-yard touchdown. The sophomore again was responsible for a crucial play on the fourth-down run. The 6-foot-6, 300-pound Robinson set the edge. The 6-2, 305-pound Moi flattened a defender. The 6-3, 256-pound Gentle took on two Gators as Bishop shed a tackle for the first down.

He scored a second 1-yard touchdown a few plays later early in the second quarter.

Tennessee’s rushing attack keyed start at Florida

Aguilar offered a simple assessment of the run game at Florida.

“The run game was working. Don’t stop,” he said.

Tennessee flipped to the run game again when it seemingly had been stopped for the first time time. Aguilar fumbled when he was sacked, but recovered it for an 8-yard loss.

He handed off to Star Thomas on a third-and-17 play, essentially setting up to punt. Thomas had other ideas. He burst through the Florida defense and turned a punt situation into a 52-yard run to the Florida 1. He scored on the next play and Tennessee took a 28-0 lead.

HISTORY: Tennessee football matches record for largest win at Florida with 31-11 victory

The offense was perfect with four touchdowns on its first four drives. The defense didn’t allow Florida to score until a field goal late in the third quarter as Tennessee was well on its way to its first win at Florida since 2003.

“We went out here today and we played as a team,” Aguilar said.

Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee football's fast start keyed first win at Florida since 2003