Dylan Sampson surge leads Vols past Gators in overtime

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Tennessee and Florida kicked into gear after the break to turn the matchup in to thriller.

The Vols night against Florida didn’t start on the brightest note, with linebacker Keenan Pili laving the game early in the first half with a lower body injury, not set to return for the remainder of the matchup.

However Tennessee’s defense prevailed. Florida reached the red zone four times in the first half but only walked away with three points at the break. Their efforts were highlighted by James Pearce forcing and recovering a fumble at the goal line late in the first half.

Despite Tennessee’s defense limiting the Gators, Florida’s defense wasn’t doing any favors for the Vols’ offense that brought their struggles back from Fayetteville.

The Vols were held scoreless for yet the first half, entering halftime down 3-0. Tennessee did look like they had a chacne to get something moving following the Pearce forced fumble, however an interception from Florida’s Sharif Denson on a Nico Iamaleava pass halted those chances.

Out of the break, Tennessee’s defense kicked into gear once again, stopping the Gators on their opening drive. However on Florida’s fifth trip into the red zone they finally punched in a touchdown with a 13-yard pass from Graham Mertz to Arlis Boardingham. The score put the Gators up 10-0.

On the Vols’ response, it was Dylan Sampson once again being the guy to turn this game around. The junior punched in a 6-yard touchdown with less than three minutes in the third quarter, Vols down 10-7.

Playing without Graham Mertz, the Gator’s chances of getting some more points on the board were stopped short with an Arion Carter interception, setting the Vols up right back in the red zone.

The Vols had to settle for a field goal, Max Gibert knocking it back from 35-yards to tie it up. However the tie didn’t last long because on the next drive, Sampson weaved his way for 23 yards to the end zone, giving the Vols their first lead of the night, 17-10.

Florida got within striking distance once again with minutes left on the clock. DJ Lagway hit Chimere Dike from 23-yards out to tie the ballgame up at 17-17.

The Vols and Gators took this one to overtime, where the Tennessee defense continued to turn a noteworthy performance. Tennessee’s effort able to push the Gators back enough to the point where Trey Smack’s 47-yard field goal failed to split the uprights.

Tennessee then had options to work with for their overtime drive. They only needed a field goal, but they went for the whole time. Sampson being the one to punch in the final touchdown from a yard out, the Vols finishing overtime against Florida 23-17.

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