Defense played lights out first half but the biggest reason UT lost was the offense choked in the 2nd half and if anyone "gave up" as coach says it was Bray after the intentional grounding and his 2nd int...
UT's defense was on the field way too long compared to Florida's..
Case in point..on UT's last possession of the 1st half,Fla put in subs for their defense so they would be fresh in the 4th qtr,then Fla got the ball and drove for a fg to end the half,then half time break,then Fla gets the ball to start the 3rd qtr..by the time Fla D starters got back on the field they had rested I'd say atleast an hour with tv time outs etc. and were ready to tee off on Bray..mean while UT's defense was done after that 4th down stop at Florida's own 47 and the UT offense followed by going 3 and out and the D had to get back on the field again..
Bray needs to step up and Cheney needs to find a way to get the ground game going or at least spread the field and get Neal a few screens or dump or shovel passes where he has a chance to break one loose..Cant go 3 and out that many times in the 2nd half and expect to win against a team like Fla..
A couple of points:
The same rest pattern for our defense occurred end of 1st/beginning of 2nd quarters. Add in two replaces pluses numerous other misc ref related delays and our defense had 20+ minutes rest
Also, we had the long 81 yard TD drive in the 3rd quarter were we held the ball for a significant time. The TOP did not even up till our back to back 3 and outs in the 4th
