Florida football vs. Tennessee recap: How the Florida Gators scored the upset to move to 2-1

Another season, another big game for Florida football against No. 9 Tennessee at The Swamp.

The Florida Gators (1-1) will look to improve on their 1-6 record against ranked teams under second-year head coach Billy Napier in the SEC opener for both schools.

Florida has won nine straight against Tennessee (2-0) at The Swamp and is 16-5 all-time at home against the Vols, who haven't won in Gainesville since 2003.

Swamp sold out: Florida football vs. No. 9 Tennessee, scouting report, prediction

Scouting report, prediction: Florida football vs. No. 9 Tennessee, scouting report, prediction

The Gators have a challenge ahead of them slowing a Tennessee offense under third-year coach Josh Heupel that ranks first in rushing offense (257.5 ypg) and third in total offense (477.5 ypg).

"They’re going to try to beat you to the ball and I feel like that’s where most of their explosive (plays) come from, not being set, not communicating," Florida linebacker Scooby Williams said. "I feel like in order to beat a team like Tennessee you’ve gotta communicate, you’ve gotta execute.”

Florida football game time, TV channel, betting odds today vs. Tennessee

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

TV: ESPN

Betting Odds: Tennessee by 6.5 points.

FINAL: Florida 29, Tennessee 16 | 10:30 p.m.

Gators win second game of the season and first conference battle of the 2023 season. Tennessee remains winless in Gainesville since 2003. First win for Florida over a ranked opponent since No. 7 Utah to open last season. Volunteers outgain Gators 393 to 357, but Gators win time of possession battle 37:39 to 22:17

Volunteers Touchdown

Joe Milton finds Bru McCoy for a 50 yard touchdown on 2nd and 5 to end a five play, 75 yard drive with a TD. Drive lasted 1:14.

Volunteers go for two and do not get it. Milton sacked on two-point conversion by Princely Umanmielen.

Gators lead 29-16 with 8:41 left in the fourth.

First career FG for Trey Smack

Sophomore who replaced starting kicker Adam Mihalek after he missed a PAT in the first quarter boots in his first career field goal. From 27 yards out. 10 play, 46 yard drive that lasted 5:05. Extends lead to three possessions. Florida 29, Tennessee 10 with 9:55 left in the fourth.

End of the 3rd Quarter: Florida 26, Tennessee 10

Volunteers outscore Gators 3-0 in the third.

90,751

That's the announced attendance for Saturday night's game. It is the second-largest in the history of the Florida-Tennessee rivalry in Gainesville, only eclipsed by UF's win in 2009. It ranks as the 12th largest crowd in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium history.

Tennessee adds three to begin second half

Charles Campbell kicks a field goal from 42 yards out to cut the Volunteer deficit to 26-10 with 9:31 left in the third quarter. Ends a 14 play, 46 yard drive lasting 5:29 for Tennessee.

Florida Gators 26, Tennessee Vols 7 H

Florida takes a 26-7 lead into halftime on Tennessee. The Gators, who entered the game six-point underdogs, outgained Tennessee 281-122 in the first half. Florida quarterback Graham Mertz playing at high level in first career SEC start, 17-20 146 yards, 1 TD passing, 1 TD rushing. Trevor Etienne 11 carries for 119 yards and 1 TD. Montrell Johnson with one TD rushing and one TD receiving.

Second TD for Montrell Johnson Jr. extends UF football lead to 26-7

Montrell Johnson scores an 18-yard TD on a screen pass to put Florida up 26-7 on Tennessee with 2:22 left in the half. First TD pass of the game for Florida quarterback Graham Mertz, which caps a 7-play, 55-yard touchdown drive. Tennessee's defense looks tired, missing tackles. Florida has dominated time of possession in first half 21:19-6:19.

Florida Gators turn turnover into seven points

Florida extends its lead to 19-7 over Tennessee on a 1-yard TD run by quarterback Graham Mertz. Trey Smack replaces Adam Mihalek as kicker for the extra point and boots it home to the delight of the crowd.

The Florida Gators maintain momentum with Devin Moore interception.

Florida football is back in the red zone after pressure by defensive lineman Desmond Watson forces a bad throw downfield from Joe Milton that is interception by sophomore defensive back Devin Moore. It's the first career interception for Moore, who returned it deep into Tennessee territory.

Florida football takes lead, misses two-point conversion

The Florida Gators take a 12-7 lead on Tennessee with 9:28 left on the second quarter on a 14-play, 82-yard touchdown drive, capped by a 4-yard TD run by Montrell Johnson. But the Gators fail on the two-point conversion as Ricky Pearsall is tackled on a screen pass attempt.

Florida football answers with Trevor Etienne TD, but misses extra point

The Florida Gators answer with a big play, as Trevor Etienne's 62-yard touchdown run cuts Tennessee's lead to 7-6. But kicker Adam Mihalek fails to convert the extra point as his low kick is blocked at the line of scrimmage. Mihalek is now 0-for-1 on field goal attempts and 0 for 1 on extra point attempts in the game.

Tennessee jumps to early lead

After Florida kicker Adam Mihalek badly missed a 49-yard field goal attempt. Tennessee goes 71 yards in six plays to take a 7-0 lead on the Florida Gators. Vols quarterback Joe Milton went 4 for 4 on the drive. Milton capped the drive with a 12-yard TD pass to receiver Ramel Keyton.

Former Florida football utility back Trey Burton celebrity Mr. Two Bits

Burton gets the crowd fired up with his celebrity Mr. Two Bits appearance. He still holds the UF record for touchdowns in a game (6) against Kentucky in 2011.

What Florida football fans think?

Can Gators upset Vols at The Swamp?: "The Swamp is a magical place": Tailgating fans split on whether Gators can upset Tennessee

WR Thai Bowman, TE Tony Livingston, OL Caden Jones out

Wide receiver Thai Bowman and tight end Tony Livingston and freshman offensive lineman Caden Jones are out for the Gators tonight against Tennessee. Jones is in a walking boot.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Florida football vs. Tennessee Volunteers score, recap, highlights