And just like that, the rivalry was alive and well. After 11 consecutive years of victory over the Tennessee Volunteers, Florida’s second half collapse proved to be too much to withstand. The Volunteers showed grit, dug their heels in, and erased an 18-point deficit, proving they are a team to be reckoned with.
Unless, that is, you ask second-string Gator quarterback Austin Appleby.
Appleby was named the started of this weeks game after Gators quarterback Luke Del Rio was knocked out of the game last week in their match up against the North Texas Eagles. Appleby played well, throwing for 296 yards, three touchdowns and an interception.
Even after the loss, Appleby felt his Gators were the superior side.
#Gators QB Austin Appleby: "I truly believe the better team didn't win on Saturday."
— Zach Abolverdi (@ZachAbolverdi) September 26, 2016
There was plenty of trash talk to go around prior to the game, with Florida defensive back Quincy Wilson calling the Volunteers team “ducks”. Going into the half up 21-3, Florida looked well on it’s way to victory. However, the offense sputtered, the defense was a step behind, and Florida was outscored 35-7 in the second half.
The Volunteers improved to 4-0 in front of a crowd of 102,455 and have won ten consecutive games going back to last year.
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