It was a different atmosphere with a different feel and different stakes for Florida, but it was the same old, same old for Chris Rainey.
After dominating a pair of overmatched opponents, Rainey and the Gators were prepared for a test against a Southeastern Conference foe. Tennessee did it’s best to provide a challenge, but nothing could stop Rainey on Saturday.
The senior running back continued to be the focal point of Florida’s offense, racking up 212 yards from scrimmage as the No. 17 Gators (3-0, 2-0 SEC) defeated the Volunteers (2-1, 0-1 SEC) 33-23 in The Swamp.
Rainey was equal parts workhorse and playmaker for UF, carrying the ball 21 times for 108 yards while also catching two passes for 104 yards. His effort was highlighted by a career-long 83-yard touchdown when senior quarterback John Brantley stepped up in the pocket and dumped it to Rainey at Florida’s 20-yard line. Rainey turned, saw the biggest hole he’s ever seen and never looked back, stretching Florida’s lead to 30-7.
“There’s probably three or four people in the world who can do what he does,” sophomore running back Trey Burton said. “He’s a freak.”
Rainey seemed to be a threat to score every time he touched the ball, cutting past would-be tacklers to get in space and utilize his elite speed.
Offensive coordinator Charlie Weis continued to dial up plays to get Rainey the ball in the open field, and Brantley never hesitated to make the check-down.
“Rainey is a special athlete,” Brantley said. “He can do some special things with the ball. … He has really grown up and bought into everything. He deserves everything that he’s been doing right now.”
When the Gators needed to protect a 14-point lead early in the fourth quarter they looked to Rainey, handing him the ball on seven consecutive plays.
On the last of those runs he started out right, was bottled up and then darted back left, advancing 8 yards before collapsing on the Tennessee sideline. He remained on the turf for some time, bringing to mind the only concern surrounding Rainey: durability. His 21 carries were a career-high, and many question whether his 5-foot-9, 174-pound frame can handle that type of pounding.
“Only time will tell,” Burton said. “He did tonight. … He’s tough. He wants to be out there, and he’s definitely a big-time playmaker.”
Rainey’s playmaking ability even showed up on special teams. As Tennessee attempted a punt early in the second quarter, Rainey found a gap in the Volunteers’ line and burst through untouched to record the block and set UF up at the 13-yard line.
The blocked punt was the fifth of Rainey’s career, a new UF record.
“Just block the ball and scoop and score,” Rainey said. “That’s all that’s in my head.”
Rainey and fellow running backs Trey Burton and Jeff Demps were busy all night, combining to touch the ball on 44 of Florida’s 64 offensive plays.
Burton said the Gators’ plan coming into the game was to pound the Volunteers with their running attack.
“We felt like we could be more physical on the offensive line, and that’s what we did,” Burton said.
Florida established their backs early, as Burton, Demps or Rainey touched the ball on 16 of the first 17 snaps.
UF’s methodical offense took its toll on Tennessee, and Burton said he could feel the defense getting tired by the end of the first quarter.
Florida’s playmakers made life easy for Brantley, who was 14-of-23 passing for 213 yards and two touchdowns. Of his 14 completions, only three were caught further than 5 yards downfield. Ten of those passes went to Burton, Rainey or Demps, who were the team’s three leading receivers. Demps had four catches for 37 yards, while Burton had four grabs for 38 yards and a touchdown. Burton also added a score on the ground.
“It’s hard for me to sit there and not take the ball and put it in Jeff Demps, Chris Rainey and Trey Burton’s hands at this point,” coach Will Muschamp said.
The trio combined for 338 of Florida’s 347 yards of total offense, helping the Gators grind out a win and get the SEC season started on the right foot.
Saturday was just the first step in the quest for a conference title — UF’s ultimate goal — but it was an important one nonetheless.
As it was for Rainey, who has battled through injuries and the stigma surrounding last year’s suspension to become what he is today: the star of a thriving offense.
“Just stay focused,” Rainey said. “Your time will come. For me, it was an emotional game. I just had to do what I had to do.”
Contact Greg Luca at gluca@alligator.org.
