LOOK: Tennessee's Gerald Mincey flipped off former teammates after penalty during scoring drive
No. 11 Tennessee and No. 20 Florida are in the middle of an intense rivalry game, with the Vols jumping out to a halftime lead and then following it up with an early third-quarter score. CBS cameras caught former Florida player Gerald Mincey flipping off his old teammates during the third-quarter scoring sequence.
Following a holding call against Mincey that negated a Hendon Hooker touchdown run, Mincey provided his colorful gesture.
It didn’t end up hurting the Volunteers, who punched it in with a 16-yard touchdown pass from Hooker to running back Jabari Small on the very next play to go ahead 24-14.
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. He’s been penalized a couple times against his former team, but so far it hasn’t hurt the Vols too badly.
Tennessee battling, Josh Heupel happy with team’s fight
Tennessee led 24-21 at the time of this writing, with Florida marching right back down the field to answer the Vols’ early third-quarter score with a touchdown of its own.
It’s been a competitive game so far, with the Volunteers leading 17-14 at the halftime break.
Both starting quarterbacks have been dealing with minor injuries, with Hooker heading to the injury tent at one point in the first half and Florida’s Anthony Richardson nursing a nagging hamstring injury.
Tennessee coach Josh Heupel, though, was happy at halftime with how his team was battling, particularly given Hooker’s toughness.
“Competitive composure, right? Reset, go play the next play,” Heupel said. “Play snap to whistle and reset it. Got some things we got to clean up on both sides of the ball, but let’s go play ball in the second half.”