Urban Meyer Was Right: Tennessee Volunteers' Lane Kiffin Wasn't Going for Win

(Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

Original story published on SEC Sports Report.

ATLANTA, Ga.—Who's right?  Urban Meyer or Lane Kiffin?  Was Kiffin going for the win?

Here is the full story on Urban Meyer’s claim that Lane Kiffin wasn’t playing for the win.   I watched the game on CBS and I saw it again on SEC Sports Digital.  There are definitely some conclusions about the way this game ended that non-partisan observers can agree on. 

Summary of What Happened

The score is 23-6.  Florida is on a nice drive and looks like they will score again.  The CBS commentators were of the opinion that the game was out of reach.  Then Tim Tebow fumbles inside the five-yard line with less than 12 minutes left in the fourth quarter. 

At 11:37 in the fourth quarter, Tennessee gets the ball back. 

On Tennessee’s first play, they lose yardage and it takes 37 seconds off the clock before they snap the ball for second down.  There is no indication by the Tennessee players to hurry.

Jonathan Crompton pass complete to Bryce Brown for three yards to the Tennessee 37.  The next play takes another 35 seconds from the end of the play to the next snap. Tick, tick, tick.

Jonathan Crompton pass complete to Bryce Brown for 21 yards to the Florida 42 for a first down.  Play No. 3 takes 25 seconds from the end of the play until the hike of the ball.  Running back Bryce Brown had an opportunity to go out of bounds, but did not.  The clock keeps ticking.

The Tennessee Volunteers score their first touchdown of the day with 8:11 left in the fourth quarter.  The drive is for seven plays, 66 yards and takes off three minutes and 26 seconds.  The CBS commentators do not speak as if the Vols are back in the game. 

Florida gets the ball back for three plays and three yards, taking another 2:10 off the clock.

Tennessee gets the ball back for nine plays 27 yards, and another 04:10 is wiped off the clock before Crompton throws an interception.  Florida runs out the clock for the last 1:51.

Game over.  Florida wins 23-13.

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