KNOXVILLE – Tennessee’s sense of loss at Florida runs deep with seven consecutive setbacks at “The Swamp” and 14 in the last 16 games there.
The last two trips were particularly painful. In 2015, the Vols blew a 13-point lead in the fourth quarter, losing 28-27. The last visit ended with quarterback Feleipe Franks’ 63-yard TD pass on the final play of a 26-20 setback.
Here are some things to consider in association with Tennessee’s visit on Saturday to face the ninth-ranked Gators (3-0):
What about Zuniga?: The playing status of Florida defensive end Jabari Zuniga, who shares the SEC lead in sacks (three) and is tied for second in tackles for loss (4.5), is questionable for Saturday’s game.
The redshirt senior suffered a sprained ankle in last Saturday’s game at Kentucky.
Zuniga was part of a pass rush that produced 10 sacks against a youthful Miami (Fla.) offensive line in the season opener.
In Zuniga’s absence last week, true freshmen Khris Bogle saw extensive playing time. He had no tackles and broke up a pass.
Fresh coverage: True freshmen are making an impact in Florida’s secondary, however.
Three first-year players saw action at cornerback last week. Kaiir Elam grabbed his second interception in as many games for the Gators.
Gator Hater: Vols wide receiver Jauan Jennings has had his moments versus Florida.
He had three catches for 111 yards, including a 67-yard go-ahead TD in Tennessee’s 38-28 victory in 2016. The previous year, he threw a 58-yard scoring pass to quarterback Joshua Dobbs.
Overall, he has eight catches for 172 yards and the TD against Florida.
Small wonder then that Jennings was fired up this week. He took the emotional lead in a manner comparable to two weeks ago before BYU.
“The level, it’s going to be crazy,” Jennings said. “We’re going to have lots of energy. We’ve been having lots of energy since that last game. I told you all we were going to be ready. We’re fired up.
“Like I said, it’s a road game, going into “The Swamp,” Florida. How else can you put it?”
Special attention: Along with their capable placekickers and punters, Tennessee and Florida put considerable study and effort into their special teams play as well.
Last Saturday, Tennessee special-teams player Tyler Byrd, a senior, blocked a punt against Chattanooga, helping set up a 28-yard TD return by Brandon Johnson.
“Coach (Jeremy Pruitt) really emphasizes special teams so he saw something early in the week and we game-planned,” Byrd said. “I had the opportunity to go out there and just tried to make the most of the opportunity.”
For Florida, senior Van Jefferson downed a punt inside the 5-yard line against Miami and recovered a muffed punt that helped set up the go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter.
“It’s something we stress so much within our team,” Florida coach Dan Mullen said after beating the Hurricanes. “You’re looking at a senior wide receiver that’s covering a punt, making plays. That really shows a lot about the team.
“Special teams is something we take a lot of pride in, we practice an awful lot.”
Taking chances: Both teams are risk-takers on fourth down.
Tennessee is two for eight on conversions. The Vols were one for three last Saturday versus Chattanooga. Wide receiver Cedric Tillman eluded two defenders after catching a pass to convert a 4th-and-9 play in the second quarter. The play extended a drive that ended with Tillman’s 28-yard TD catch.
Florida has been more successful, converting five-of-seven attempts so far. But the Gators lost starting quarterback Franks to a season-ending ankle injury on a fourth-down quarterback keeper last week.
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Dan Fleser is a 1980 graduate of the University of Missouri, who covered University of Tennessee athletics for the Knoxville News Sentinel from 1988-2019. He may be reached at danfleser3@gmail.com