Tennessee
Everything Florida coach Billy Napier said the 23-17 loss at No. 8 Tennessee
Everything Florida coach Billy Napier said after the Gators lost 23-17 in overtime at No. 8 Tennessee Saturday night at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville:
Florida’s decision to kick the point after at the end of regulation
“We had a play that we felt good about and then obviously they burned their timeout and I think we felt from the three there we were playing pretty good on both sides of our team at that point in time so we thought, ‘Let’s go play overtime. Let’s go give our guys a chance to play some more plays.’ Defensively, we kept ourself in it. Wasn’t quite ready to do that at that point in time.”
Florida not getting off a field goal at the end of the first half, the half ending on a Florida penalty
“It was relative to an injury, just to be cut and dry. It was a substitution error based on an injured player who stayed on the field. Yeah, that’s exactly what it was. The injured player that had been substituted on that unit did not come off. He stayed.”
Injury updates for Florida quarterback Graham Mertz and running back Montrell Johnson
“I think it’s tough. Obviously Graham played phenomenal in the game. I thought he was lights out. Really prepared well and came to play. He does have an injury, a lower-body injury. Obviously, we’ll give you some updates on that when we get to next week. It was significant enough that he couldn’t complete the game. I think that Montrell Johnson was in that category as well. He wasn’t able to return and then RJ Moten had an injury that was a little bit of a setback.”
This Florida team being really close to a good team
“I would think the defensive performance and then just our ability to move the ball throughout. We had opportunities in the red area. I think we’re three of six in terms of scoring opportunities, and ultimately that was the tale of the tape. Fumble on the 1-yard line; 3rd-and-1we get stopped, forced to kick a field goal; we go for it on 4th-and-1, great play by their corner running over the top, great tackle; and then we missed the field goal in overtime. Technically speaking, just a ton of missed opportunities in terms of points in the first half.”
What stuck out to him defensively
“We played with good gap integrity. I thought the line of scrimmage, on the edges, we tackled well, we mixed in the pressures. We were able to create some negative plays, made some long-yardage situations, and then ultimately we got off the field. We were pretty good on conversion downs throughout the day. So defensively, we we kept ourselves in the game. We had a chance to really take control of the game in the first half, and we missed on those opportunities.”
Florida freshman running back Jadan Baugh:
“Those guys are all capable players. Jadan and Ja’Kobi, both are rookies. But I do think they’re both very capable. Certainly, Jadan has already done some good things this year, and we have a ton of confidence in both players. They practice the right way. They have character, smart, they’re tough and they’re productive. So we’re going to continue to get those guys involved.”
The mood of Florida players
“It’s the hardest part about it. They played their tails off. I had a front-row seat to it. They played extremely hard in the game. There’s no guarantees in this game. You have to put yourself out there, with no guaranteed reward. It takes courage to do that. I think ultimately, there’s an opportunity here for our team. I just really believe there’s something good on the other side of this. I do think that it’s a challenge. I think that ultimately we’re all going to be tested, we’re all going to be challenged. This game it’s going to be that way. If you’re a competitor, you play this game, you’re always going to be challenged, you’re always going to be tested, there’s always going to be scenarios where you don’t get the results you want. And do you have the discipline to reset, do it again? Or will you get distracted? Will you compromise your character? I don’t think we have that issue. I think we got a bunch of guys that care about each other, that played their tails off, that prepared the right way and competed. I think we just came up with a handful of plays short. That’s where, as a coach, it’s a punch in the gut relative to you just want to do everything you can do to help the players.”
Florida’s injuries playing into competition at practice
“We will continue to operate, it’s working. That’s what I would tell you. I think our kids have bought into it. It’s helped our level of play in all parts of our team.”
Florida playing hard, fighting in spite of injuries
“We got a group. We’ve got a great combination of players relative to veteran leadership and we have some young guys that have the right mindset and have the right makeup that have an opportunity to contribute. There’s a lot of guys, so many people that contribute to what you watched out there tonight. A bunch of them didn’t get a chance to make the trip but they worked their tail off all throughout the week to help the team prepare. It’s one of the best things about this group. Obviously, this will be a challenge here. We will have an opportunity to respond. We will play football next week.”
The performance from DJ Lagway
“One of the things about DJ that I respect is that as a competitor he has this unique ability to raise his level of play at critical moments. I think you obviously not only picked the right route progression but had to move and threw a strike in a critical moment. And, look, I thought he even did some of his more impressive stuff in the first half when he was playing. I thought he did a lot of really good things. For a rookie to go, play on the road in that environment, to step up in a big time, big moment. He’s got that in his DNA. There’s a bright future ahead of it for him.”
His confidence if DJ Lagway has to lead the team moving forward
“Well, he started one game earlier in the year and then obviously he’s had an opportunity to contribute each week. He’ll be more prepared. But we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. I have absolute confidence in DJ Lagway.”
Florida’s failed jet sweep to Eugene Wilson III on fourth and inches
“We got them all blocked. I think the guy that had Tre man-to-man ran over the top of the play and made a heck of a play. We blocked the perimeter really well. DJ Made a good decision. I think it’s an outstanding play by the corner that had Tre, to show up on the other side. It was a good physical tackle and a really good play by the defender.”
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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