LISTEN: Tennessee fans launch expletive-laced chant at Florida in intense rivalry game
No. 11 Tennessee topped No. 20 Florida 38-33 on Saturday despite a late Gators rally in the fourth quarter, a win that was just the second for the program in the last 18 meetings in the annual Florida-Tennessee rivalry. And the Volunteers fans were feeling it, audibly sending an expletive-laced chant down to the field in Neyland Stadium.
“(Expletive) you, Florida” the crowd roared with the Volunteers leading 38-27 inside the final five minutes.
Fans also chomped vigorously, mocking the signature gesture Gators fans have used for decades. You can hear the chant below. WARNING: The audio is not safe for work.
Credit Florida for hanging in the game until the final whistle. After the Tennessee fans’ chant, a hobbled Anthony Richardson marched the Gators right down the field to get into the red zone, attempting to cut it to a one-score game inside the final minute.
Richardson did just that when he fired a 3-yard touchdown pass to receiver Ricky Pearsall to make the score 38-33 with 17 seconds left. However, a two-point conversion attempt failed, requiring the Gators to recover an onside kick and score a touchdown to win.
Improbably, the Gators did the former when linebacker Diwun Black soared to snag a bouncing kick with one hand. Florida moved quickly into Tennessee territory but came up short of a win on the final play when Richardson was pressured and forced to move out of the pocket before his final heave toward the end zone.
He did get the pass off, but it sailed well left of his intended target and was intercepted by Tennessee defensive back Kamal Hadden to finish off the game.
The Tennessee fans’ chant wasn’t the only questionable moment cameras caught in the big win for the Volunteers.
Earlier in the game starting left tackle Gerald Mincey was caught on camera flipping off his former Florida teammates following a red zone score. Mincey was flagged on the play — a Hendon Hooker touchdown run — but the Volunteers punched it in for a touchdown one play later anyway.
Mincey transferred from Florida following the 2021 season and UF’s decision to part ways with head coach Dan Mullen.
The Volunteers found space for him down the stretch in the 2022 recruiting cycle, paving the way for him to eventually earn the starting left tackle spot at Tennessee.