5 key moments in Tennessee football’s overtime win over Florida

Knoxville, TN — In a thrilling game that kept fans on the edge of their seats, the Tennessee Volunteers triumphed over the Florida Gators in overtime, 34-31, securing a crucial SEC victory. This win marks one of the most memorable moments in Tennessee football’s recent history, and it could serve as a turning point in their season. The game was filled with dramatic swings in momentum, big plays, and heart-stopping moments. Here’s a look at the five key moments that defined Tennessee’s overtime victory over Florida.

1. Joe Milton’s Clutch Touchdown Pass in Overtime

The biggest play of the game came in the overtime period when Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton delivered a clutch 15-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Squirrel White. The play not only gave Tennessee the lead in the extra period but also put immense pressure on Florida’s offense to respond with a touchdown of their own.

Milton, who had struggled with accuracy in previous games, was calm and composed when it mattered most. On this crucial third down, he read the defense perfectly, standing firm in the pocket under pressure and throwing a pinpoint pass to White, who made a great catch in the end zone despite tight coverage. This touchdown set the stage for Tennessee’s defense to seal the victory.

“I trust my guys to make plays, and they came through when we needed it most,” Milton said in a post-game interview. “This win means everything for us.”

2. Florida’s Missed Field Goal in Overtime

Following Tennessee’s touchdown in overtime, Florida had a chance to tie the game and send it into a second overtime. Gators’ kicker Trey Smack, who had been reliable throughout the game, lined up for a 38-yard field goal attempt. The pressure was palpable, as a miss would hand Tennessee the victory.

In a shocking turn of events, Smack’s kick sailed wide right, sending the Tennessee fans into a frenzy and the Volunteers’ sideline into wild celebration. It was a heartbreaking moment for the Gators, who had battled back multiple times throughout the game to stay within striking distance.

This missed field goal was the culmination of a game filled with missed opportunities for Florida, and it sealed their fate in Knoxville.

3. Tennessee’s Goal-Line Stand in the Fourth Quarter

One of the defining moments of regulation came late in the fourth quarter when Florida was threatening to take the lead deep in Tennessee territory. With the Gators facing a 1st-and-goal from the 2-yard line, Tennessee’s defense came up with an incredible goal-line stand that shifted the momentum back in their favor.

On four consecutive plays, Tennessee’s defense stuffed Florida’s running game and disrupted quarterback Graham Mertz, preventing the Gators from reaching the end zone. Florida’s decision to run the ball three times in a row was met with fierce resistance from the Vols’ front seven, and on fourth down, a pass attempt to tight end Arlis Boardingham fell incomplete, as Tennessee cornerback Gabe Jeudy-Lally made a key deflection.

This stand not only kept the game tied but also energized Tennessee’s offense, which marched down the field on the ensuing possession to set up a potential game-winning drive.

4. Graham Mertz’s Fourth-Quarter Comeback Drive

Despite falling short in overtime, Florida quarterback Graham Mertz put together a brilliant fourth-quarter drive that brought the Gators back into the game. Down 31-24 with less than five minutes remaining, Mertz orchestrated a methodical 75-yard drive that culminated in a 12-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Ricky Pearsall.

Mertz was cool under pressure, completing several key passes to extend the drive, including a critical third-down conversion to wideout Eugene Wilson III. His ability to spread the ball around and navigate Tennessee’s defense was impressive, as he continually found soft spots in the Vols’ secondary.

The touchdown pass to Pearsall tied the game at 31-31, sending it into overtime and giving the Gators a shot to steal a win on the road. Though Florida came up short in the end, Mertz’s poise on this drive was a testament to his leadership and ability to perform in high-pressure situations.

5. Dylan Sampson’s Explosive 50-Yard Run

In a game that featured numerous big plays, none were bigger than running back Dylan Sampson’s 50-yard run in the third quarter. With Tennessee leading 24-21 and looking to extend their advantage, Sampson broke free on a zone-read play, slicing through Florida’s defense and racing down the sideline before finally being brought down at the Gators’ 10-yard line.

This explosive run set up a short touchdown pass from Milton to tight end McCallan Castles just two plays later, giving Tennessee a 31-21 lead and providing much-needed breathing room. Sampson finished the game with 120 rushing yards on 15 carries, and his ability to break open big plays kept Florida’s defense off balance throughout the game.

“Sampson was a difference-maker today,” said Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel. “Every time he touched the ball, we felt like something big could happen, and that run really gave us the momentum we needed.”

Conclusion

Tennessee’s 34-31 overtime win over Florida will be remembered as one of the most exciting and hard-fought games in the rivalry’s recent history. The Volunteers showed resilience in key moments, particularly on defense with their goal-line stand and in overtime with Milton’s clutch touchdown pass. Florida, despite their comeback efforts, was undone by a missed field goal and missed opportunities in the red zone.

For Tennessee, this win could be a turning point in their season, as they continue to battle for a spot in the SEC Championship game. With Milton and Sampson leading the charge, the Volunteers have proven they can rise to the occasion when the stakes are highest.

“We fought hard, we never gave up, and that’s what it’s all about,” Milton said after the game. “This team has something special, and today we showed it.”

As for Florida, the loss stings, but Mertz’s performance in the fourth quarter offers a silver lining as the Gators look to regroup and finish strong in the SEC. However, the missed opportunities and mistakes

will linger as a reminder of what could have been.