Tennessee
Reliving Florida And Tennessee’s Century-Long Rivalry
Over 100 years ago, Florida and Tennessee faced each other for the first time in history. Although both programs were early members of the SEC, Tennessee’s immediate dominance prevented the series from being much of a “rivalry” at the time.
The Volunteers won their first ten matchups against Florida, while the Gators took nearly 40 years to pull off their first win. The series became an annual matchup in 1992, when the SEC became a 12-member league and split into two divisions.
Despite Tennessee’s early success against Florida, the Gators lead the all-time series 32-21. Over the past 20 years, the Volunteers have only beat the Gators three times.
Over time, the intensity of the rivalry grew, partly due to the conference and national championship implications stemming from the game’s result. On 11 occasions, both programs have been ranked among the top 10 teams in college football at the time that they faced each other.
Here, we’ll look back at some of those landmark games that helped define the rivalry.
1969 Gator Bowl: “Super Sophs” Pull Off The Upset
Powered by their eventual record-breaking passing offense, the Gators faced off against the Volunteers (SEC champions) in the Gator Bowl, for a rare postseason match-up.
Led by future NCAA all-time passing yards leader John Reaves and Florida’s current career receiving yards leader Carlos Alvarez, the two sophomores helped the Gators pull off a 14-0 upset against the Volunteers, just their second win of all-time against Tennessee.
Just days after the game, Tennessee’s head coach Doug Dickey, a former Florida quarterback, left the program to return to his alma mater as the Gator’s head coach.
This game signaled a turning point in the series, as Florida would go on to win six out of their next ten matchups.
1991: “Faxgate”
Leading up to the game, rumors began to circulate surrounding former Tennessee assistant coach Jack Sells sharing confidential strategic information with Gators defensive coordinator (and future head coach) Ron Zook.
Based on an investigation by a Knoxville newspaper, Sells faxed copies of Tennessee ‘s offensive game-plan to Zook just three days before the two teams faced off.
Florida would go on to win the game 35-18, forcing Tennessee’s offense to turn the ball over five times.
The incident was later officially investigated by the NCAA, but nobody was punished.
1998: Down Go The Goal Posts
With head coach Steve Spurrier leading the way, Florida had built up a five-game winning streak against Tennessee, notably beating Peyton Manning every time that they faced him.
At that point in time, the Gators were the second-ranked team in the country, while the Volunteers were the sixth-ranked team, fresh off an SEC Championship season.
After Manning left for the NFL, his predecessor Tee Martin helped break Florida’s win streak, by pulling off a 20-17 overtime win at Neyland Stadium.
Martin went on to have one of the most efficient passing seasons in NCAA history, leading Tennessee to their second straight SEC championship, and their first National Championship in over 30 years.
2000: Tennessee’s Record Crowd Comes Short
Throughout this era, Florida and Tennessee assumed complete dominance of the SEC. One of the two teams reached the SEC championship every year from 1992 to 2001.
In 2000, the sixth-ranked Gators faced off against the eleventh-ranked Volunteers in front of over 108,000 fans, setting a record that still stands today at Neyland Stadium
Although Tennessee held the lead well into the fourth quarter, Gators quarterback, Jesse Palmer, connected with wide receiver Jabar Gaffney for a touchdown with just 14 seconds left on the clock. Florida went on to win the game 27-23.
Although the game was won in an exciting fashion, it did not go without controversy. While the play was ruled a touchdown, Gaffney did eventually lose control of the ball after it was swatted away by a Tennessee defensive back. However, the officials determined that Gaffney held possession long enough for it to be ruled a catch.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — As millions of people are expected to travel through Tennessee to celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary, the Tennessee Department of Transportation is suspending all construction-related lane closures on interstates and state routes.
The suspension will begin at noon on Thursday, July 2, through 6:00 a.m. on Monday, July 6. Workers may still be on-site during the suspension, and reduced speed limits in work zones will remain in effect. TDOT added that drivers could still be impacted by some long-term lane closures for ongoing construction projects. Drivers are still urged to use caution.
“With so many people driving on and around the Fourth of July, we want to do all we can to ensure they reach their destinations safely and without delays,” said TDOT Commissioner Will Reid, P.E. “We are suspending lane closures during this busy holiday travel time. Be mindful that our HELP Trucks will be on patrol in urban and rural areas and drivers must obey the law by moving over and slowing down for all emergency vehicles on the side of the road.”
AAA predicts more than 1.6 million Tennesseans will travel at least 50 miles from home for the Independence Day between Saturday, June 27, and Sunday, July 5. The company added that this will set a record for Fourth of July travel in Tennessee.
“For many families, traveling for Independence Day isn’t just a trip; it’s a tradition,” said Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Vacations are one category where consumers are still willing to spend, even if that means cutting back on something else. With an extended holiday travel period, we expect busy roads, steady demand for flights, and continued interest in cruises across many parts of the country.”
For those looking to travel over the weekend, join 6 News anchor Bo Williams for our Upcoming Road Work stream on WATE6+ at 2:30 p.m. on Fridays. He will break down traffic conditions, construction projects and events that are expected to impact drivers in East Tennessee over the weekend.
The Tennessee Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at June 28, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Cash 3 numbers from June 28 drawing
Evening: 5-3-8, Wild: 7
Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 4 numbers from June 28 drawing
Evening: 5-6-1-2, Wild: 1
Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Daily Tennessee Jackpot numbers from June 28 drawing
05-08-17-19-31
Check Daily Tennessee Jackpot payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from June 28 drawing
04-11-31-54-58, Bonus: 03
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All Tennessee Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $599.
For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at Tennessee Lottery offices. By mail, send a winner claim form, winning lottery ticket, a copy of a government-issued ID and proof of social security number to P.O. Box 290636, Nashville, TN 37229. Prize claims less than $600 do not require a claim form. Please include contact information on prizes claimed by mail in the event we need to contact you.
To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a winner claim form and deliver the form, along with the ticket and government-issued ID and proof of social security number to any of these locations:
Nashville Headquarters & Claim Center: 26 Century Blvd., Nashville, TN 37214, 615-254-4946 in the (615) and (629) area, 901-466-4946 in the (901) area, 865-512-4946 in the (865) area, 423-939-7529 in the (423) area or 1-877-786-7529 (all other areas in Tennessee). Outside Tennessee, dial 615-254-4946. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.
Knoxville District Office: Cedar Springs Shopping Center, 9298 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37922, (865) 251-1900. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $199,999.
Chattanooga District Office: 2020 Gunbarrel Rd., Suite 106, Chattanooga, TN 37421, (423) 308-3610. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $199,999.
Memphis District Office: Chiles Plaza, 7424 U.S. Highway 64, Suite 104, Memphis, TN 38133, (901) 322-8520. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $199,999.
Check previous winning numbers and payouts at https://tnlottery.com/.
When are the Tennessee Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10:00 p.m. CT Tuesday and Friday.
- Cash 3, 4: Daily at 9:28 a.m. (Morning) and 12:28 p.m. CT (Midday), except for Sunday. Evening game daily, seven days a week, at 6:28 p.m. CT.
- Daily Tennessee Jackpot: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
- Tennessee Cash: 10:34 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
- Powerball Double Play: 10:30 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Tennessean editor. You can send feedback using this form.
A position group that has stability at the top but questions behind the starter is running back. DeSean Bishop returns as the unquestioned starter after a dominant redshirt-sophomore year, but both the pieces behind him a year ago that split the load have departed.
Now, it’ll be a battle for reps between young returners Daune Morris and Justin Baker and Tulane transfer Javin Gordon. Tennessee has rotated up to three backs a game, as well, making a chance for two to be in a game-by-game position to contribute.
Bishop, the star of the room, has expectations that he could play his way into an NFL draft pick this upcoming year. This past season, he took 182 carries for 1,076 yards and 16 touchdowns. That was good for a really strong average of 5.9 yards per tote.
More From RTI: Tennessee Left Off Eight-Team List of SEC College Football Playoff Contenders
Gordon, the Tulane transfer, joins after his true freshman year with the Green Wave. While it wasn’t at the SEC level, he was very productive, posting 128 carries, 516 yards and five touchdowns.
Morris and Baker return after limited roles. Morris was the fourth back, meaning he got more run than Baker when injuries did occur. He finished his freshman year with 35 carries, 133 yards and a touchdown while also returning punts. Baker took 14 carries for 43 yards.
“It’s huge because you look at the production, you got a guy that understands what he’s walking into in terms of seeing it week in and week out in terms of the caliber of teams that we’re going against,” Tennessee running backs coach DeRail Sims said in the spring about Bishop returning. “His understanding of what it’s like when the game’s on the line and having to go out there and make plays in all three facets of the game, in running the ball, the protection piece, and the passing game. So it’s huge having Bish back.”
The other pieces of the running back room are three-star freshman Will Rajecki and redshirt-senior Hunter Barnes.
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