Tennessee had just about every advantage one could imagine against Florida. We all knew that. We’ve also heard that story before. It hasn’t always had a happy ending. It did on Saturday, barely.

The Vols survived and notched just their second win against the Gators in the last 18 meetings between the two teams and the first since 2016. The Vols beat Florida 38-33 in what can only be described as a monumental win.

The Vols snapped a six-game, home losing streak against ranked opponents by beating Florida, who almost stunned the Vols with a late score and a recovered onside kick. However, Florida ended the final drive with desperate pass that was intercepted. The Vols are now 4-0 and will likely be ranked in the Top 10 when those announcements are made on Sunday.

Quarterbacks – A+

Hendon Hooker was incredibly decisive against Florida. When he ran the ball, he ran it with purpose, although one of those scrambles ended up with him being driven into the turf on his right, throwing shoulder.

Tennessee’s coaches trusted Hooker when he said he was fine to return to the game. That led to a touchdown on the following drive. As for throwing the football, Hooker can obviously do that. He completed 22-of-28 passes for 349 yards and two touchdowns. On the ground, Hooker ran for 112 yards on 13 carries and a touchdown.

Hooker’s 44-yard run in the third quarter was masterful. He should have been sacked, but escaped the pocket and made a play that gutted the Gators. His one fumble wasn’t his fault when the Vols failed to protect him on a passing play in the second quarter as he was trying to throw.

Running Backs – A+

Jabari Small looked like he was 100-percent healthy after being knocked out the of the Akron game. Small was explosive and not afraid of contact whatsoever. He ran for 90 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. Small also caught three passes for 32 yards and a touchdown.

With a bye week coming and so much at stake, Tennessee’s coaches didn’t divvy out carries very often to their other tailbacks until late in the game. Jaylen Wright ran the ball 10 times for 25 yards and a touchdown.

Receivers/Tight Ends – A

With no Cedric Tillman, the Vols were forced to throw the ball elsewhere. It was obvious early that Jalin Hyatt was the receiver the Vols would turn to initially. He was targeted on the Vols’ first three passing plays. Perhaps adjusting to Hyatt, the Gators allowed other receivers to become a factor. 

Bru McCoy caught a pass that went for 70 yards when the Gators overplayed Hyatt. McCoy ended the game with five receptions for 102 yards. Ramel Keyton caught three passes for 69 yards, including an incredible, diving reception that netted 43 yards. Jacob Warren’s 45-yard reception looked like a dagger, flipping the field and setting up a Wright touchdown.

Princeton Fant’s fumble on the first drive ended a great start on the Vols’ first drive. Fant’s fumble wasn’t acceptable, but it was a great target by Florida linebacker Ventrrell Miller to punch the ball out. Warren dropped a pass that he could have caught. However, the throw was behind him.

Offensive Linemen – B-

There was a false start on Tennessee’s first drive by Javontez Spraggins and some pushing and shoving that could have drawn a flag in the second quarter. As for the high snap in the third quarter, there seems to be little question that center Cooper Mays quickly snapped it when Florida was offsides. It really didn’t matter where the snap went.

Gerald Mincey was called for a holding penalty that took a touchdown off the board, but the Vols prevailed on the next play via a Hooker-to-Small touchdown pass. The Vols allowed 141 rushing yards.

Defensive Linemen – A-

Things looked awry early when the Vols lost contain and allowed Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson an 11-yard run that led to a first down on the first drive of the game. That was scary considering Richardson running was Florida’s best chance to pull off the upset. The lack of containment didn’t last.

Defensive end/linebacker Byron Young repeatedly put himself in bad position in the first half, but settled down in the third quarter. That led to a sack in which he was even held on the play.

Omari Thomas forced a fumble in the fourth quarter that stopped a deep Florida drive. Da’Jon Terry piled on with a sack midway through the fourth quarter.

Linebackers – B

Jeremy Banks continues to be more and more active as the season rolls on. He had a big hit on Richardson and recovered a key fumble. It’s good for the Vols that he’s starting to stack some big plays up after a slow start to the season. 

The Vols still struggle in mid-level pass coverage, but that may just be who this team is. Still, Tennessee would like to get better there.

Defensive backs – C-

The Vols missed a tackle on the first drive in the secondary. That was a sign of things to come. Tennessee gave up a touchdown after a series of missed tackles Then, the ship was righted.

Tennessee gave up 453 yards passing against Florida. There were at least five missed tackles that the Vols would like to have avoided. Kamal Hadden was called for a holding penalty in the fourth quarter, but also registered five tackles with one for a loss and the game-clinching interception.

Special Teams – C-

Tennessee let the Gators stay in the game by not recovering an onside kick that gave the Gators one last shot.

Jimmy Holiday returned a kickoff 27 yards to begin the second half after being suspended for the first half for fighting against Akron. It was good to see that Tennessee’s coaches still trust him.

Coaching – A

It has been said plenty of times, but bears repeating. The Vols have put plenty on video up for opposing defenses to prepare for, yet there always seems to be receivers running wide open. 

Overall – A+

Let’s be concise. That was a defining victory for the Vols even though they almost let it slip away. Tennessee beat a rival that is should have. There was no fear in the Vols, only confidence. That will bode well for this team.