Another Gator moment to remember against Vols

Posted Sep 18, 2010 by Tom McEwen

Updated Sep 18, 2010 at 09:15 PM

Any Florida Gator win over the Tennessee Volunteers on the intimidating college football stage that is Neyland Stadium is more than just a win, it is a Great Win.

Saturday’s win of 30-17 in Knoxville in the fearsome Neyland Stadium goes on the list of great wins in Gator history, no matter the circumstances, no matter the number of fumbles, no matter the number of bad center snaps to Gator quarterback, John Brantley, who has the blood in his veins of great Gator linebacker Scott Brantley, no matter the number of bad passes from quarterback John, any win in Knoxville with more than 100,000 people in the stands, a national television audience out there, no matter whatever else in pressure can be piled on the backs of the quarterback, winning at Neyland must go on the list of great wins. And this win Saturday does, this 30-17 win that elevates the Gators to a 3-0 record this season, and thrusts these 2010 Gators back into the chase of all the titles is paramount.

And if there needs to be a single most dramatic moment this Saturday, it has to be a fourth down and long crisis in the fourth period when Florida Coach Urban Myer went for the down, risked it all, but got the first down and eventually the victory in large part because of his call and of the Gator execution of that call. Gators everywhere know this and appreciate this and are thankful for it, for the courage of it and for the success of it when Brantley threw the pass that was completed and led to the win that now rank among the most important in the Florida record book. It was gutsy and superbly carried out to lead to the win at Neyland. Those of long memories and experience in Florida lore will count this as that important. The Gators went on to win this game 30-17 and make this play, this victory to be so cherished.

Brantley certainly elevated himself in Gator lore with this win and with it made the Gators genuine contenders for another Southeastern title. They were not prior to Brantley’s work and that of the other Gators Saturday. Now, these Gators of Meyer, of Brantley and of a stout Florida defense have earned their right to be called SEC, and perhaps national champion contenders. Most I can say for those of the Florida ties is that they needed a game such as the Gators played Saturday in whipping Tennessee, by the way for the eighth straight time, to gain the support they now need to be considered as candidates for that national championship again. My, but this Florida defense has emerged as it has, confident and assured and unmoving when the defense had to be. It is big, strong, consistent and grabs your attention as you watch these games.

None of this talk of defense can take any of the credit for these three wins, and this great one Saturday, away from Brantley, from the remarkably fast running back, Jeff Demps, who has become the producer he has on special teams, run backs, on dashes through the line or around the line, or once the corner is turned and he heads for the goal line. Demps is absolutely sensational with his breakneck speed down the sidelines. If he did not have enough All-America votes, he does now. Few football fans, I have always thought, go to games to see individual performers. They did for Red Grange, for Johnny Unitas, Broadway Joe Namath, and now they do for Jeff Demps.

So today, we will elevate that Gator win Saturday at Knoxville, in part because of the stage as among the top victories to the growing list of Moments to Remember in Florida Gator history. I know, I think it was, and I am sure you may well too, if you among those who want to remember such unforgettable football Florida victories, and the decision of Coach Urban Meyer to go for it all on Fourth-Down-and-Too-Much to assure the win that came when that courageous call was made. Agree?