Wiedmer: A Tennessee win for ‘resolve and resiliency’

With Neyland Stadium adorned in a checkerboard pattern, Josh Malone (3) races to a fourth-quarter touchdown for Tennessee on Saturday. The Volunteers won 38-28 after trailing 21-0 to Florida, which had won the last 11 games in the series.

By Mark Wiedmer September 25, 2016 5 min read

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Vols rejoice in momentous comeback win over Florida, 38-28

The Volunteer waves the Big Orange flag during the Vol Walk. The Florida Gators visited the Tennessee Volunteers in a important SEC football contest at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016.

Tennessee head coach Butch Jones is greeted by hands and iPhones as he makes his way down the Vol walk. The Florida Gators visited the Tennessee Volunteers in a important SEC football contest at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016.

The Tennessee cheerleaders fire up the fans before the Vol Walk. The Florida Gators visited the Tennessee Volunteers in a important SEC football contest at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016.

Tennessee head coach Butch Jones listens to a fan on his way down the Vol Walk. The Florida Gators visited the Tennessee Volunteers in a important SEC football contest at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016.

The Pride of the Southland Band is engulfed in fans as it plays before the Vol Walk. The Florida Gators visited the Tennessee Volunteers in a important SEC football contest at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016.

A dedicated Vol fan waits for the start of the Vol Walk. The Florida Gators visited the Tennessee Volunteers in a important SEC football contest at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016.

Tennessee's Alex Kamara (6) looks around after he dropped a Joshua Dobbs's pass. The Florida Gators visited the Tennessee Volunteers in a important SEC football contest at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016.

Butch Jones congraulates his players after a late field goal in the frist half. The Florida Gators visited the Tennessee Volunteers in a important SEC football contest at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016.

Tennessee's Tyler Byrd (10) breaks loss for a long gain on a pass reception. The Florida Gators visited the Tennessee Volunteers in a important SEC football contest at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016.

Tennessee's Jalen Hurd (1) goes for yardage in to the Florida secondary. The Florida Gators visited the Tennessee Volunteers in a important SEC football contest at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016.

Tennessee's Josh Malone (3) holds on to pass while be hit by Florida's Marcus Maye (20). The Florida Gators visited the Tennessee Volunteers in a important SEC football contest at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016.

Tennessee's Jalen Hurd (1) is hit in the backfield for a loss by Florida's Caleb Brantley (57). The Florida Gators visited the Tennessee Volunteers in a important SEC football contest at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016.

Butch Jones shows his displeasure with the lack of a call by a official. The Florida Gators visited the Tennessee Volunteers in a important SEC football contest at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016.

Tennessee's Jauan Jennings (15) pulls in a pass while Florida's Teez Tabor (31) defends. The Florida Gators visited the Tennessee Volunteers in a important SEC football contest at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016.

Tennessee's Corey Vereen (50) encourages fans to yell on a third down play. The Florida Gators visited the Tennessee Volunteers in a important SEC football contest at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016.

Tennessee's Colton Jumper (53) tackles Florida's quarterback Austin Appleby (12). The Florida Gators visited the Tennessee Volunteers in a important SEC football contest at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016.

Tennessee's Joshua Dobbs (11) looks to pass while be hurried by the Gator defense. The Florida Gators visited the Tennessee Volunteers in a important SEC football contest at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016.

Tennessee head coach Butch Jones has an intense word with Rashaan Gaulden (7). The Florida Gators visited the Tennessee Volunteers in a important SEC football contest at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016.

Florida's Jordan Scarlett (25) breaks the tackle of Tennessee's Jalen Reeves-Maybin (21) while Micah Abernathy (22) is held by Florida's Fred Johnson (74). There was no penalty on the play. The Florida Gators visited the Tennessee Volunteers in a important SEC football contest at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016.

Tennessee's Kendal Vickers (39) tackles Florida's Jordan Scarlett (25). The Florida Gators visited the Tennessee Volunteers in a important SEC football contest at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016.

Tennessee's Jack Jones (66) and Florida's Caleb Brantley (57) and Alex Anzalone (34) go after a Joshua Dobbs fumble. The ball was ruled dead. The Florida Gators visited the Tennessee Volunteers in a important SEC football contest at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016.

Tennessee punter Trevor Daniel (93) watches his punt sail into Florida territory. The Florida Gators visited the Tennessee Volunteers in a important SEC football contest at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016.

Tennessee's Dillon Bates (17) comes up with a fumble recovery on a punt. Tennessee did not take advantage of the turnover. The Florida Gators visited the Tennessee Volunteers in a important SEC football contest at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016.

A injured Jashon Robertson (75) is helped off the field. The Florida Gators visited the Tennessee Volunteers in a important SEC football contest at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016.

Florida's Antonio Callaway (81) makes a dive for end zone while Tennessee's Justin Martin (8) defends. Callaway was called out, but the Gators scored their first touchdown several plays later. The Florida Gators visited the Tennessee Volunteers in a important SEC football contest at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016.

Jalen Reeves-Maybin gets some attention after the game. The Florida Gators visited the Tennessee Volunteers in a important SEC football contest at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016.

With Neyland Stadium adorned in a checkerboard pattern Josh Malone (3) runs for a 4th quarter touchdown. The Florida Gators visited the Tennessee Volunteers in a important SEC football contest at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016.

Tennessee's Colton Jumper (53) celebrates as he leaves the field after the Vols's victory over Florida. The Florida Gators visited the Tennessee Volunteers in a important SEC football contest at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016.

Vols greet friends and family after the game. The Florida Gators visited the Tennessee Volunteers in a important SEC football contest at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016.

Colton Jumper (53) celebrates with the team after the game. The Florida Gators visited the Tennessee Volunteers in a important SEC football contest at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016.

From left, Tennessee players Derek Barnett, Jalen Hurd, Ethan Wolf and Aaron Medley celebrate with fans after the game. The Florida Gators visited the Tennessee Volunteers in a important SEC football contest at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016.

Tennessee's Todd Kelly Jr. (24) smothers Florida's on-sides kick. The Florida Gators visited the Tennessee Volunteers in a important SEC football contest at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016.

Tennessee head coach Butch Jones talks to CBS television after the game. The Florida Gators visited the Tennessee Volunteers in a important SEC football contest at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016.

Todd Kelly Jr. (24) makes a stop on Florida's C'yontal Lewis (80). The Florida Gators visited the Tennessee Volunteers in a important SEC football contest at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016.

Tennessee's Joshua Dobbs (11) comes up from the pile after scoring Tennessee's last touchdown. The Florida Gators visited the Tennessee Volunteers in a important SEC football contest at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016.

Josh Malone (3) sets off his 4th quarter touchtown run after catching a Joshua Dobbs's pass. The Florida Gators visited the Tennessee Volunteers in a important SEC football contest at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016.

Tennessee's Josh Malone (3) is congratulated by center Dylan Wiseman (71) after a 4th quarter touchdown. The Florida Gators visited the Tennessee Volunteers in a important SEC football contest at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016.

The student section goes crazy as Tennessee goes ahead. The Florida Gators visited the Tennessee Volunteers in a important SEC football contest at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016.

The Tennessee defense surrounds Todd Kelly Jr. (24) as he comes up with an interception. The Florida Gators visited the Tennessee Volunteers in a important SEC football contest at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016.

Tennessee's Jauan Jennings (15) outruns Florida's Marcell Harris (26) for a touchdown that would put Tennessee ahead 24-21. The Florida Gators visited the Tennessee Volunteers in a important SEC football contest at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016.

Tennessee's Derek Barnett (9) sacks Florida quarterback Austin Appleby (12) in the 4th quarter. The Florida Gators visited the Tennessee Volunteers in a important SEC football contest at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016.

The crowd erupts as Tennessee's Jauan Jennings (15) outruns Florida's Marcell Harris (26) for Tennessee's go-ahead touchdown. The Florida Gators visited the Tennessee Volunteers in a important SEC football contest at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016.

Tennessee's Joshua Dobbs (11) fires a 3rd quarter touchtown to Ethan Wolf. The Florida Gators visited the Tennessee Volunteers in a important SEC football contest at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016.

Tennessee's Ethan Wolf (82) pulls in a touchdown pass to bring Tennessee to within 7 points of Florida, 21-17. The Florida Gators visited the Tennessee Volunteers in a important SEC football contest at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016.

Tennessee's Dimarya Mixson (40) swollens up Florida's Jordan Cronkrite (32) in a big 2nd half stop. The Florida Gators visited the Tennessee Volunteers in a important SEC football contest at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016.

The Tennessee defense celebrates a big 3rd quarter stop. The Florida Gators visited the Tennessee Volunteers in a important SEC football contest at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016.

Tennessee's Josh Malone (3) is pulled down after a big catch. The Florida Gators visited the Tennessee Volunteers in a important SEC football contest at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016.

Jalen Hurd (1), right, celebrates his touchdown with his teammates. Hurd's score made the talley Florida 21, Tennessee 14. The Florida Gators visited the Tennessee Volunteers in a important SEC football contest at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016.

Tennessee quarterback Joshua Dobbs (11) escapes the grasp of Florida's Caleb Brantley (57). The Florida Gators visited the Tennessee Volunteers in a important SEC football contest at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016.

Vols Jakob Johnson and Ja'Quain Blakely cut up as they enter the stadium for the pre-game walk on the field. The Florida Gators visited the Tennessee Volunteers in a important SEC football contest at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016.

Mark Wiedmer

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KNOXVILLE – With half the game done Saturday afternoon, more than a few Tennessee fans inside Neyland Stadium serenaded their vanishing Volunteers into the locker room with boos. Losing 11 straight games to bitter rival Florida and trailing 21-3 in a 12th can do that to folks.

Yet for some strange, seemingly unknown reason, that’s when Team 120 is apparently happiest. It seems to love playing from behind. Down 13-3 to Appalachian State in the season opener, the Vols won 20-13. Down 14-0 early to Virginia Tech in the Battle at Bristol, the Big Orange triumphed 45-24.

So now they gathered at halftime, not exactly finding encouragement from their frustrated fans, even if they had once again filled Neyland Stadium to the rim, perfectly executing an orange and white checkerboard in the process. Those fans booed, of course, because they care. So much. And for so little recent reward where these Gators have been concerned.

“They’re hearing the boos at halftime,” recalled UT coach Butch Jones, now in his fourth season. “They could have gotten down on themselves.”