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Florida Gators romp in the Swamp, beat No. 11 Tennessee 29-16

On3 imageby:Keith Niebuhr•09/16/23•

On3Keith

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA — The Swamp came alive Saturday night. And so did the Florida Gators.

In what has to be the biggest win for Billy Napier as Florida coach, his team was dominant in the first half then hung on for dear life in the second as Tennessee tried to rally.

In the end, the Gators had themselves a signature win before an announced crowd of 90,751.

Final score: Florida 29, No. 11 Tennessee 16

Gators quarterback Graham Mertz completed 19 of 24 passes for 166 yards and one touchdown. Meanwhile, the Gators rushed for 183 yards — 77 more than the Vols. Gators running back Trevor Etienne led the way with 23 carries for 172 yards, which included a 62-yard first-quarter touchdown run.

All told, Florida had 349 yards to 388 for Tennessee. The Gators had an edge in first downs — 22-17.

Florida now is 2-1, 1-0 in the SEC. Tennessee falls to 2-1, 0-1.

Florida Gators offensive drives

-DRIVE 1: 14 plays, 46 yards, 7:11 (Missed Field Goal)
-DRIVE 2: 4 plays, 75 yards, 1:23 (Trevor Etienne run for 62 yds for a TD; PAT blocked) — 6-7
-DRIVE 3: 14 plays 82 yards, 7:28 (Montrell Johnson Jr. run for 4 yds for a TD; 2-point conversation failed) — 12-7
-DRIVE 4: 3 plays, 9 yards, 1:32 (Graham Mertz 1 Yd Run; Trey Smack Kick) — 19-7
-DRIVE 5: 7 plays, 55 yards, 3:30 (Graham Mertz pass complete to Montrell Johnson Jr. for 18 yds for a TD; Trey Smack KICK) — 26-7
-DRIVE 6: 3 plays, 8 yards, 1:38 (Punt)
-DRIVE 7: 3 plays, 6 yards, 1:30 (Punt)
-DRIVE 8: 10 plays, 46 yards, 5:05 (Trey Smack 27 yd FG GOOD)
-DRIVE 9: 6 plays, 18 yards, 4:52 (Punt)
-DRIVE 10: 5 plays, 13 yards, 2:31 (Turnover on downs)

Tennessee Vols offensive drives

-DRIVE 1: 6 plays, 71 plays, 2:11 (Joe Milton III pass complete to Ramel Keyton for 11 yds for a TD; PAT good) — 7-0
-DRIVE 2: 5 plays, 19 yards, 1:53 (Punt)
-DRIVE 3: 2 plays, -2 yards, :36 (Interception)
-DRIVE 4: 3 plays, -5, 1:28 (Punt)
-DRIVE 5: 6 plays, 24 yards, 1:59 (Punt)
-DRIVE 6: 14 plays, 46 yards, 5:29 (Charles Campbell 42 yd FG GOOD) — 10-26
-DRIVE 7: 8 plays, 60 yards, 2:31 (Turnover on downs)
-DRIVE 8: 8 plays, 18 yards, 3:12 (Turnover on downs)
-DRIVE 9: 5 plays, 75 yards, 1:14 (Joe Milton III pass complete to Bru McCoy for 55 yds for a TD; 2-point conversation failed) — 16-29
-DRIVE 10: 7 plays, 42 yards, 1:18 (Turnover on downs)


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