Meyer finds winning formula vs. Vols

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The scene was all too familiar for Tennessee players, coaches and fans.

A creative Florida coach rallying behind a brash quarterback and outstanding athletes to embarrass the Volunteers on national television. And this time it was not Steve Spurrier or one of his Fun-N-Gun quarterbacks inflicting the damage.

Urban Meyer and his No. 4-ranked Gators invoked memories of Florida's dominance of the 1990s by humiliating Tennessee 59-20 in The Swamp on Saturday. And they used a tried and true formula to get the job done.

Special teams advantage

Florida did not take long to establish its advantage here.

After Tennessee went three-and-out on its first possession, Brandon James took Britton Colquitt's punt 83 yards the other way for the first score of the afternoon.

It was the second time in three games the Volunteers allowed a punt return for a touchdown and it established momentum for the Gators early. Tennessee also continued to tackle poorly on special teams, allowing several long returns that helped Florida average their own 31-yard line for starting field position.

"We cannot continue to give up big plays, and that's not saying Florida did not make plays and earn some of them. We just cannot help good teams like that -- like we did California and Florida," said Vol coach Phillip Fulmer, referring to the punt return his team also allowed to Cal in its season opener.

Win the rushing battle

Historically, the team that rushes for more yards typically wins the Tennessee-Florida rivalry.

Tennessee players and coaches insist the game plan included running the ball early and often. However, falling behind 28-6 late in the second quarter and averaging only a half-yard per attempt in the first half forced the Vols to abandon that strategy.

The Vols finished with just 37 net yards on the ground, compared to 255 for the Gators.

"That defensive line, my goodness, to hold those caliber players that they have to whatever it was, my hat's off to them," Meyer said of his young Gator defense.

"They did a lot of stunts and twists up front to try to confuse us. I guess it worked," said Tennessee tailback Arian Foster, who finished with a team-high 26 yards on 11 carries.

"(Florida) is very good, but it was more us just not performing."

Getting off the field

Tennessee forced Florida into numerous third- and fourth-down conversion attempts, but often failed to make a defensive stop when it needed it most.

As he did a year ago in Knoxville, Gator quarterback Tim Tebow picked up several first downs on keepers up the middle. Meyer also employed wideout Percy Harvin on an end around that gave Tennessee fits.

Add to that the fact Tennessee forced just one turnover and the carnage was on. Florida finished with 554 yards total offense.

Tebow hit 14-of-19 passes for 299 yards and two touchdowns through the air. He added another 61 yards and two touchdowns rushing.

Harvin totaled four catches for 120 yards and nine carries for 75 yards and one touchdown on the ground.

"All (59 points) were mine. When you read the newspaper tomorrow, they will all be mine. I wouldn't have it any other way," Tennessee defensive coordinator John Chavis said.

"I won't forget about them. It's disappointing. We're a proud program. We're Tennessee, by God, and we won't forget about it."

Capitalizing on mistakes

In spite of its problems, Tennessee found itself in position to rally after freshman cornerback Eric Berry intercepted a Tebow pass and returned it 96 yards for a touchdown to bring the Vols to within 28-20 midway through the third quarter.

After forcing Florida to punt on its ensuing possession, however, the Vols returned the favor by fumbling the handoff exchange between Foster and quarterback Erik Ainge. Florida's Dustin Doe picked up the loose ball and rambled 18 yards for a crushing touchdown to put UT in a 35-20 hole.

When the Gators marched 99 yards on nine plays and scored another touchdown on its next possession, Tennessee went down 42-20 and their fate was sealed.

"It's 28-20 and we're talking about the next time you score going for two and the next thing you know the ball is out," Fulmer said. "It was a huge momentum swing."