KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Dale Carter returned the second-half kickoff 91 yards for a touchdown Saturday night to trigger a 28-point third quarter that led fifth-ranked Tennessee to a 45-3 Southeatsern Conference rout of previously unbeaten Florida.
The Vols, 4-0-2 overall and 2-0-1 in the SEC took a 7-3 lead at intermission and overwhelmed the mistake-prone Gators in the second half to hand Steve Spurrier his first setback as Florida coach. The Gators, seeking their best start since 1969, fell to 5-1 overall and 3-1 in the conference.
Florida, ineligible for the SEC championship or a bowl appearance due to NCAA sanctions, lost its poise after Carter's weaving kickoff return put the Vols ahead 14-3. Monty Duncan returned the ensuing kickoff 53 yards for the Gators but Errict Rhett fumbled two plays later. Tennessee drove 68 yards and Tony Thompson's 13-yard burst made it 21-3.
Tight end Von Reeves threw a 47-yard TD strike to Carl Pickens for the Vols and Brian Fox, who replaced an ineffective Shane Matthews at quarterback for the Gators, was intercepted on three consecutive series. Reggie Ingram returned one of five Tennessee interceptions 42 yards to put the Vols ahead 35-3 after three periods.
Arden Czyzewski's 36-yard field goal in the second quarter represented Florida's only scoring before a homecoming crowd of 96,874, the second-largest attendance in school history. Tennessee ended a four- game losing streak against Florida and shredded the SEC's No. 1 defense as Thompson and quarterback Andy Kelly led a balanced attack.
Tennessee's first score came on Greg Amsler's 1-yard plunge early in the second period -- the first rushing TD allowed by the Gators all season.
Carter's kickoff return stunned Florida's normally efficient special teams unit. He fielded a bouncing kick near Tennessee's sideline, used a quick burst of speed to clear the first wave of Gator defenders before breaking a tackle at midfield, then raced in for the score.
Carter set up a 36-yard field goal with his second interception of the game. Another Gator miscue, on their own 23, set up a 1-yard dash by reserve quarterback Sterling Henton to close out the scoring.
