Tennessee defeated Florida by 3+ scores for the first time since their 31-14 win in 1992

 The Vols-Gators series has been so lopsided before the arrival of Josh Heupel – who now has 3 wins over the Gators in 5 years – that it’s not hard to think back on Tennessee’s wins in the series.

Both of Tennessee’s home wins under Heupel were one score games. Before that, Tennessee defeated Florida 38-28 in 2016, which snapped a 12-year losing streak to the Gators. The Vols won 30-28 on a last-second James Wilhoit 50-yard field goal in 2004. They won in Gainesville 24-10 in 2003, as was talked about a lot this week. And of course, they defeated Steve Spurrier in their last matchup against the Old Ball Coach 34-32 in 2001. Vol fans also know well what happened in 1998 in their 20-17 overtime win over the Gators on the way to the national championship.

That takes us back to 1992, when Tennessee RB Mose Phillips took a short pass from Heath Shuler and broke free for a 66-yard touchdown to salt the win away for Tennessee. That is the last time that Tennessee scored an emphatic, win over the Gators on the scoreboard.

And there’s no doubt that Saturday night’s win was emphatic. Tennessee manhandled the Gator defense and ran at will in the first half. DeSean Bishop finished as Tennessee’s leader with 24 carries for 116 yards and 2 scores. Star Thomas broke free for a 52-yard run down to the one and punched it in one play later.

On the night, Tennessee ran 51 times for 248 yards and threw it just 22 times for 204 yards. Tennessee scored touchdowns on all of their first four possessions to build a 28-0 second quarter lead and take any doubt out of the result, something that just hasn’t happened in this rivalry in way, way too long.

It’s a night that’s been foreign to Tennessee and their fans, but for one night, the Vols’ personal house of horrors was a bed and breakfast for the Big Orange – thousands of happy visitors served.