Gators quarterback Emory Jones prepares to take a snap in a 34-3 win over Tennessee at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in 2019. (Photo: Anissa Dimilta/UAA Communications)
The Opening Kickoff (Part II): Gators Get First Shot at Heupel in Rivalry They Have Dominated for More Than a Decade
Wednesday, September 22, 2021 | Football, Scott Carter
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By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Former Tennessee coach Phil Fulmer was in town this week for a speaking engagement. No word on whether Fulmer stopped by Spurrier's Gridiron Grille for dinner.
If he had, Fulmer and former Gators coach Steve Spurrier could have reminisced about the days when the Florida-Tennessee rivalry ruled the Southeastern Conference and registered as perhaps the best in the country during their tenures. Spurrier won seven of the 10 head-to-head meetings between the coaches from 1992-2001 and there was never a shortage of starpower or headlines when the schools met.
When the Gators and Vols meet on Saturday night at "The Swamp," UF head coach Dan Mullen will try to improve 4-0 against Tennessee since taking over the Gators in 2018. Mullen was hired at Florida about the same time Jeremy Pruitt took over the Vols. However, Pruitt was dismissed after three seasons and former UCF coach Josh Heupel is the new man in charge in Knoxville.
Heupel is a familiar name to Sunshine State football fans, having led UCF to 28 wins in 36 games over the past three seasons. Tennessee is off to a 2-1 start under Heupel with its loss coming to Pittsburgh in Week 2.
The Vols rebounded with a 56-0 win over FCS opponent Tennessee Tech last week as quarterback Hendon Hooker made his first start in place of injured Joe Milton III. Both Milton and Hooker are transfers and experienced starters. Hooker was 8-7 as Virginia Tech's starter prior to coming to Tennessee, and Milton started five of six games last season for Michigan. Milton suffered a "lower-body injury" in the loss to Pittsburgh and at midweek is listed as questionable for Saturday's game.
Tennessee coach Josh Heupel talks to quarterback Hendon Hooker during last week's win over Tennessee Tech at Neyland Stadium. (Photo: Bryan Lynn/USA TODAY Sports)
Meanwhile, the Gators have turned this rivalry into a one-sided rompfest over the last two decades. Florida has won 15 of the last 16 meetings by an average margin of 14.5 points. Tennessee's only win in the series since 2004 was a 38-28 victory at Neyland Stadium in 2016.
The rivalry started to turn heavily in Florida's favor when Urban Meyer took over the Gators in 2005 and brought Mullen along as his offensive coordinator. While the 2005 and '06 games were close — Florida won 16-7 in '05 and 21-20 in '06 — the Gators blasted Fulmer and the Vols 59-20 in '07 and 30-6 in '08, Fulmer's final season.
Since then, Tennessee coaches Lane Kiffin, Derek Dooley, Butch Jones and Pruitt attempted to re-establish the Vols as a SEC power to no avail. Next up is Heupel.
A look at the Florida-Tennessee rivalry since neither Spurrier nor Fulmer called the plays:
