Tennessee vs. Florida - Post Game Notes - University of Tennessee Athletics

Sept. 19, 2004

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Tennessee vs. Florida - Sept. 18, 2004 - Neyland Stadium - Knoxville, Tenn.
"Vols Stun Gators 30-28 on Game-Winning Field Goal"

Noting Tennessee

Tennessee improved to 2-0 (1-0 SEC); Florida falls to 1-1 (0-1 SEC).
The Vols entered the game ranked: Associated Press No. 13, USA Today/ESPN No. 13; Florida was Nos. 11 / 9
Tennessee will return to action next week, Sept. 25, against Louisiana Tech for homecoming at Neyland Stadium.

Tennessee-Florida Series

Tennessee leads the series 19-15 and has won the past two meetings and three of the last four meetings.
Tennessee holds an 11-7 advantage when playing Florida in Knoxville and 3-1 in neutral sites, while the Gators lead 7-5 in Gainesville.
Tonight's game was the eighth time in the last nine years that Tennessee has opened conference play with Florida, with the exception being the 2001 contest that was pushed back to season's end because of the Sept. 11 tragedies.
Both teams have entered the contest ranked in the top 25 each time since 1984, a 43-30 win by No. 18 Florida. The Vols were not ranked.
The win marks the first time Tennessee has beaten Florida in Knoxville since 1998 when the Vols won 20-17 in overtime, a prelude to Tennessee's 13-0 season and national championship.
It is the first time Tennessee has won back-to-back games against Florida since the 1970-71 seasons.
The combined score in the last six meetings is now Florida 167, Tennessee 165, as five of the last seven games have been decided by four points or less.
Tonight's attendance: 109,061 - Largest in Neyland Stadium history
The new single-game attendance record surpasses the old mark of 108,768 set against Florida Sept. 16, 2000.
Stadium record crowds have watched UT and Florida play the past two years: 90,332 at Gainesville in 2003 and 109,061 at Knoxville in 2004.

Phillip Fulmer's Record

Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer improved his record to 115-28 in 13 years with the Vols.
The Vols are 46-12 under Fulmer vs. SEC Eastern Division teams (5-8 vs. Florida).

Schaeffer Earns Second Start

Freshman quarterback Brent Schaeffer made his second career start tonight for the Vols and appeared in four series.
He finished 3-of-4 for 40 yards while also rushing seven times for 38 yards

Ainge On His Mark

Freshman quarterback Erik Ainge, who appeared in six series, went 16-of-24 for 192 yards and three touchdowns.
Ainge's three touchdowns went to Justin Reed (16 yards), Bret Smith (23 yards) and Jayson Swain (13 yards).

Ground Game Gets It Done

In 13 of the last 15 Tennessee-Florida games, the winning team has rushed for more yards than the losing team.
Tennessee out-rushed Florida 171-135 with Gerald Riggs leading the way with 63 yards.
All 12 plays of the Vols' 80-yard scoring drive in the first quarter were running plays with both Cedric Houston and Gerald Riggs having four rushes apiece.
Jabari Davis' 1-yard touchdown run with 5:06 left in the first quarter was his sixth touchdown in four games against the Gators.

Receivers Catching On

Tight end Justin Reed caught his first career pass as a Vol when he hauled in Erik Ainge's 16-yard strike for a touchdown.
Reed's score was the first touchdown by a Tennessee tight end since 2002 when former Vol and current Dallas Cowboy Jason Witten caught five scores on the season.
Receiver Chris Hannon set a new career high with eight catches, totaling 89 yards

Defense Denies

Jason Allen got his third career interception in the first quarter when he picked off Chris Leak's pass at the Florida 20-yard line.
Sacks: DT Jesse Mahelona (-9), Jason Allen / Jonathan Hefney (-4)

Wilhoit Clutch When It Counts

James Wilhoit's 50-yard field goal was the second-longest in his career, improving to 18-of-26 for field goals in his career.
His previous long was a 51-yard kick against Florida last year in Gainesville.

Fast Facts

The Vols' fourth-quarter scoring drive of 80 yards was their ninth scoring drive this year of 80 yards or more.
The Vols' only scoring drive this season that was not 80 yards was the game's final drive when James Wilhoit kicked the game-winning field goal from 50 yards out.
Tennessee is 13-7 in league openers since 1985.
Tonight's game was the first night matchup between the two teams since 1999 when Florida won 23-21 in Gainesville.
Tennessee is now 23-9 in games played after an open date.
Injuries: LB Kevin Simon (knee)

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