GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Emory Jones had two touchdown passes to go along with a career-high 144 yards rushing, leading No. 11 Florida to a 38-14 victory over Tennessee on Saturday night and extending nearly two decades of dominance in the series. The Gators won their fifth straight and 16th in 17 years in a series that used to go a long way toward determining the Southeastern Conference’s Eastern Division. First-year Tennessee coach Josh Heupel is trying to get it back there. The second half showed he’s still got a way to go. The Gators scored on consecutive drives in the third quarter to turn a three-point game into comfortable lead.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — JT Daniels threw for 121 yards and two touchdowns playing only the first quarter as No. 2 Georgia dominated Vanderbilt 62-0 Saturday in the Bulldogs’ biggest win in a series that started in 1893. This game was effectively over when Georgia (4-0, 2-0 Southeastern Conference) led 35-0 after the first quarter. The Bulldogs started three of their first four drives in Vandy territory. Georgia scored touchdowns off a fumble and an interception in the early scoring spree in posting its first shutout this season. Vandy has lost 14 straight SEC games.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Matt Ruffolo made three field goals to help Kentucky beat South Carolina 16-10. Despite its three turnovers, Kentucky (4-0, 2-0 Southeastern Conference) beat South Carolina (2-2, 1-1) for the seventh time in eight years, and set up a collision course toward next week’s matchup at home against No. 11 Florida. Chris Rodriguez Jr. ran for 144 yards on 26 carries for the Wildcats. Will Levis was 15-of-22 passing for 102 yards and threw an interception. Luke Doty was 17-of-25 passing for 158 yards for South Carolina. Kevin Harris was held to just 38 yards rushing on 12 carries.
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (AP) — Stephen Carr had 109 yards rushing and two touchdowns, Michael Penix Jr. passed for 373 yards and Indiana held on for a 33-31 win over Western Kentucky. Penix completed a career-high 34 passes on 53 attempts. Ty Fryfogle had 10 receptions for 98 yards, including a 10-yard reception on third-and-8 with 1:55 to play that allowed the Hoosiers to run out the clock and escape with the victory. Indiana (2-2), which finished with 507 total yards, scored on it’s first six possessions and never trailed. Bailey Zappe was 31-of-44 passing for 365 yards and three touchdowns for Western Kentucky (2-2).
JACKSONVILLE, Ala. (AP) — Keon Howard threw for touchdowns on three consecutive second-half drives and then clinched the game with a late first-down run as Tennessee Martin ran out the clock to beat Jacksonville State 34-31. Zerrick Cooper threw his second touchdown pass to put the Gamecocks ahead 24-13 late in the third quarter. Colton Dowell’s 14-yard reception capped a 75-yard drive; Zoe Roberts had a 4-yard catch to end an 82-yard drive and ended a three-play, 65-yard drive with a 54-yarder for a 34-24 Skyhawks lead with 6:56 to play.
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (AP) — Geno Hess rushed for a career-high 205 yards with three touchdowns and Southeast Missouri defeated Tennessee State 47-14 in an Ohio Valley Conference opener. Hess is the first Redhawks player to run for 200 yards since Marquis Rerry had 202 against Dayton in 2018. Hess, who had 25 carries, ran for a 63-yard score that gave the Redhawks a 23-0 lead early in the second half. Dayron Johnson returned the ensuing kickoff 90 yards for a Tigers score but Kenny Doak kicked a 45-yard field goal and Hess ran in from 8 yards out for a 33-6 lead heading into the final quarter.
