By Darin The rivalry between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Florida Gators is always intense, but the 2001 edition was defined by more than just football. Originally scheduled for September, this monumental clash in Gainesville became a moment of unexpected history after it was rescheduled to December 2nd following the national tragedy of the 9/11 attacks. This rare, late-season showdown pitted an unstoppable Florida machine against an 18-point underdog Tennessee team desperate to break a brutal losing streak.
Heading into “The Swamp,” the fifth-ranked Volunteers faced a massive historical hurdle: they hadn’t won against the Gators in Gainesville in seven consecutive attempts, and the No. 2 Gators were heavily favored to continue their dominance. Yet, on the chilly afternoon of December 2nd, the Vols delivered a performance for the ages that ranks among the program’s greatest upsets.
The true star of the day was Tennessee running back Travis Stephens. Against one of the nation’s top defenses, Stephens ran wild, chewing up yardage and clock with a ferocious determination that completely neutralized Florida’s high-octane offense. Stephens finished the game with a staggering 226 rushing yards and punched in two pivotal touchdowns. The Volunteers’ ground game was the ultimate answer to Florida’s air attack.
Gaffeny 2001 03 Dec 2001, Mon Ledger-Enquirer (Columbus, Georgia) Newspapers.com
The contest was a dramatic back-and-forth battle, culminating in a narrow, thrilling 34-32 victory for the Volunteers. This game transcended football, becoming a late-season shockwave that redefined the SEC landscape and solidified the 2001 team’s place in Volunteers lore. The upset stands as a testament to the fact that even the longest, most painful streaks are destined to end when a determined underdog refuses to quit.