Tennessee 23-17 Florida (Oct. 12, 2024) Game Recap

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Dylan Sampson scored his third touchdown of the game on a 1-yard run in overtime to give No. 8 Tennessee a 23-17 victory over Florida on Saturday night.

The Volunteers (5-1, 2-1 Southeastern Conference) went to overtime for just the second time. The first was in 1998 when they won the national title.

Trey Smack missed a 47-yard field goal attempt on the first possession of overtime for Florida (3-3, 1-2).

The Gators tied the score with 29 seconds left on DJ Lagway's 27-yard touchdown pass to Chimere Dike. After lining up for a 2-point conversion, Tennessee called a timeout and Florida went for the extra point.

Sampson, who rushed for 112 yards, ran 23 yards for the go-ahead fourth-quarter touchdown. The touchdown was set up by a defensive stand that forced the Gators to punch out of their end zone.

Florida took a 10-0 lead when Graham Mertz hit Arlis Boardingham with a 13-yard scoring pass midway through the third quarter. During the game, Mertz's foot got caught in the turf and he sustained an injury to his left leg.

Sampson then had a 6-yard score, and Lagway, replacing Mertz, threw an interception that set up Max Gilbert's tying 35-yard field goal.

THE TAKEAWAY

Florida: With Georgia, Texas, LSU and Ole Miss still on the schedule, the Gators need to get things in order quickly. The bright results of wins over Mississippi State and UCF translated into a tough performance against the Vols.

Tennessee: Many of the problems that surfaced in the loss to Arkansas were again evident. With Alabama visiting next week, the Vols still have a long way to go to get things right. If Tennessee wants to be a playoff contender for the rest of the season, it needs to show consistency in its performance.

NEXT

Florida: Hosts Kentucky on Saturday.

Tennessee: Host Alabama on Saturday.

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