On Saturday night, Tennessee football went down to Gainesville and left with its first win since 2003 over Florida in Gainesville. The Vols jumped out to a fast start and held on, winning the rivalry matchup 31-11.
Before the game, Vols linebacker Arion Carter gave a pregame speech. A couple of days later, UT posted the video of him firing up the team.
“This is what you came to Tennessee for right here,” Carter said. “These are the games you came and watched since you were little and said that you were going to play in one of those. This is right here where you make your mark. This right here is where we separate the men from the boys. We’re in a hostile environment, and I know damn well I like to be respected more than I like to be liked. Tonight, we earn our respect. We give everything that we got.”
make your mark 🍊 pic.twitter.com/uQ4LzkNoqb
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) November 24, 2025
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Tennessee wasted no time jumping on Florida this year. The Vols conducted a beautiful opening drive after receiving the kickoff, capped off by an Ethan Davis touchdown on a Joey Aguilar throw to the flat.
The following drive, DeSean Bishop went over the top from one yard out. He would do the same on the following possession, as well, marking his second score of the game and putting Tennessee up 21-0 early.
Despite staring down a third-and-long, Star Thomas bounced a run for 52 yards to get down to the one-yard line on the fourth drive. He punched it in himself on the next play to stun Florida with a 28-0 lead just minutes into the second quarter.
Florida had a chance to score afterward, but missed a kick to give Tennessee the ball back. With moments left in the first half, Josh Heupel opted to run the ball twice and kick a field goal from inside the red zone heading into the break. Max Gilbert hit the kick to give the Vols a 31-0 edge at the end of the half.
The Gators ended up scoring thanks to a field goal in the third quarter to extend their streak of not being shut out to 472 games. That is an NCAA record.
Florida would score a fourth-quarter touchdown, as well on a strike from DJ Lagway to Jadan Baugh. Tennessee would drive deep into Gators territory on the ensuing drive before letting time expire.
