Jeff Driskel’s disappointing September became a worst-case scenario for the No. 19 Gators on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
Driskel, a junior quarterback, suffered a fractured right fibula during the first quarter of Florida’s 31-17 victory against Tennessee and will miss the remainder of the season.
“I hurt for him, and I hurt for us right now,” coach Will Muschamp said. “It’s going to hurt us. He’s a guy that’s won a lot of ballgames here, and it’s disappointing for him right now.”
The Gators entered Saturday looking to accomplish what they had done for the previous eight consecutive years — beat the Volunteers. Although they were successful, further distancing a once-great rivalry, an unexpected hero was required.
Back-up quarterback Tyler Murphy, a junior who had not thrown an official pass during his Florida career prior to Saturday, replaced Driskel and finished the game 8-of-14 passing for 134 yards and a touchdown. Murphy added 84 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries.
“It was always in the back of my mind that I might never play,” Murphy said. “I just kept working hard and kept fighting and kept faith in myself and kept praying for an opportunity. It wasn’t the way I wanted it, but an opportunity is an opportunity.”
Murphy’s performance helped Florida overcome three turnovers, including an interception thrown by Driskel on the play he was injured that was returned 62 yards by Tennessee’s Devaun Swafford for a touchdown.
Florida also lost possession on fumbles by running back Matt Jones — his second in as many games — and on a botched snap that hit Murphy in his facemask and was recovered by Tennessee. Punter Kyle Christy also mishandled a snap on the Gators’ opening possession, giving the Volunteers possession inside UF territory.
However, as has been the case for much of the season through three games, Florida’s defense responded to the challenges that were presented. Buck linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. spearheaded UF’s defense Saturday, forcing two fumbles — recovering one on his own — to thoroughly disrupt Tennessee’s offense for much of the game.
“They kept us in the ballgame and let us catch our breath a little bit,” Muschamp said. “I’m really proud of our guys.”
Florida’s victory is its ninth straight against Tennessee dating back to 2004. Each of the past seven wins have been double-digit outcomes.
“Losing is never accepted at Tennessee and never tolerated,” Volunteers coach Butch Jones said. “But I’m proud of our football team. I thought they showed resiliency. They didn’t quit. They gave us an opportunity to be in the game at the end of the game, and we have to keep getting better.”
Follow Phillip Heilman on Twitter @phillip_heilman.
Quarterback Jeff Driskel is attended to by trainers during Florida's 31-17 win against Tennessee on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Driskel will miss the remainder of the season with a fractured right fibula.
