Florida vs. Tennessee score: Gators win 10th straight over No. 11 Vols in The Swamp, Billy Napier nets key win

Florida played near-perfect football in the first half and came up with timely defensive stops in the second half on its way to a 29-16 upset victory over No. 11 Tennessee 29-16 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The Gators scored 26 unanswered points in the SEC opener for both teams as the Volunteers’ ambitions of winning inside The Swamp for the first time since 2003 dissolved in a series of miscues.

Tennessee struggled with penalties throughout the night and repeatedly allowed Florida to convert on third downs as the Gators — and their hostile crowd of 90,751 — pressured the visitors into numerous execution issues offensively. As for their own offense, the Gators balanced the run and pass with ease while building a commanding edge, then took their foot off the gas in the second half and cruised to victory.

Graham Mertz, Trevor Etienne and Montrell Johnson each scored rushing touchdowns in the first half, while Mertz and Johnson also connected for an 18-yard passing score that extended Florida’s lead to 26-7 in the second quarter. The Vols reached Gators territory three times in the third quarter but came away with just three points to show for it as UF’s defense stiffened in key moments. Florida stopped all three fourth-down attempts by Tennessee.

Arguably the game’s biggest defensive play by either team came in that first half, when Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton was intercepted for the first time since 2020. He was hit by Desmond Watson, causing the football to flutter and land in the arms of Devin Moore, who returned it 39 yards with a personal foul placing the ball on the Tennessee’s 9-yard line to set up a Florida touchdown.

CBS Sports will update this story with takeaways.