Tennessee Fails to Finish Again, Extends Losing Streak vs Florida

At one time, the rivalry between the Tennessee Volunteers and Florida Gators defined the SEC East. But as both programs have fallen off, the game has only served as a point of embarrassment for the Vols as they entered Saturday as losers of 10 straight against the Gators. After extending that losing streak to 11 in heartbreaking fashion, this rivalry has merely highlighted Tennessee’s inability to finish a football game.

Coming into the game, Tennessee looked to be in their best position to beat Florida for the first time in a decade. The Vols had a talented young core of players that had seemingly been building some momentum while the Gators were in the midst of rebuilding under a first-year head coach and had just suspended two players, including one of their starting defensive backs. The cards were stacked in Tennessee’s favor and they took advantage for three-plus quarters.

Following a Jalen Hurd rushing touchdown with 10:19 to play in the game, Tennessee held a 27-14 lead. But just like two weeks ago when the Vols let a 21-point lead slip away against the Oklahoma Sooners, the Tennessee defense failed to make the lead stand up. With just 1:26 to play in the game, Florida’s Antonio Callaway took a short pass and ran 63 yards for the go-ahead score. With time winding down, Tennessee was able to line up for a winning field goal but pushed it wide right, ending a 28-27 heartbreaker.

After losing their biggest two games of the season by blowing fourth-quarter leads and losing their second straight to Florida by a single point, serious questions have to be asked of Butch Jones and the Tennessee Volunteers about their inability to close out games. Does this team have what it takes to win these close games?

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