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Gators Shock Volunteers With Hail Mary

WUFT | By Emma Green
Published September 17, 2017 at 12:59 PM EDT
Gators running back Mark Thompson (24) barrels through the Volunteers' defense at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium during the first home game against the Tennessee Volunteers on Sept. 16, 2017. Thompson gained a total of 30 yards from his seven rushes during the game. The Gators won 26-20 by making a tie-breaking touchdown with zero seconds on the clock. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)
Gators running back Mark Thompson (24) barrels through the Volunteers' defense at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium during the first home game against the Tennessee Volunteers on Sept. 16, 2017. Thompson gained a total of 30 yards from his seven rushes during the game. The Gators won 26-20 by making a tie-breaking touchdown with zero seconds on the clock. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)
Gator football team members greet fans before the first home game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium against the Tennessee Volunteers on Sept. 16, 2017. The Gators won 26-20 by making a tie-breaking touchdown with zero seconds on the clock. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)
Gator football team members greet fans before the first home game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium against the Tennessee Volunteers on Sept. 16, 2017. The Gators won 26-20 by making a tie-breaking touchdown with zero seconds on the clock. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)

 

 

The Gator football team rushes out of the gate to start the first home game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium against the Tennessee Volunteers on Sept. 16, 2017. The Gators won 26-20 by making a tie-breaking touchdown with zero seconds on the clock. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)
The Gator football team rushes out of the gate to start the first home game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium against the Tennessee Volunteers on Sept. 16, 2017. The Gators won 26-20 by making a tie-breaking touchdown with zero seconds on the clock. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)

 

 

Gators running back Mark Thompson (24) barrels through the Volunteers' defense at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium during the first home game against the Tennessee Volunteers on Sept. 16, 2017. Thompson gained a total of 30 yards from his seven rushes during the game. The Gators won 26-20 by making a tie-breaking touchdown with zero seconds on the clock. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)
Gators running back Mark Thompson (24) barrels through the Volunteers' defense at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium during the first home game against the Tennessee Volunteers on Sept. 16, 2017. Thompson gained a total of 30 yards from his seven rushes during the game. The Gators won 26-20 by making a tie-breaking touchdown with zero seconds on the clock. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)

 

 

Volunteers wide receiver Marquez Callaway (1) gets tackled by Gators middle line backer David Reese (33) during the third quarter of the first home game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium against the Tennessee Volunteers on Sept. 16, 2017. The Gators won 26-20 by making a tie-breaking touchdown with zero seconds on the clock. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)
Volunteers wide receiver Marquez Callaway (1) gets tackled by Gators middle linebacker David Reese (33) during the third quarter of the first home game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium against the Tennessee Volunteers on Sept. 16, 2017. The Gators won 26-20 by making a tie-breaking touchdown with zero seconds on the clock. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)

 

 

Gators running back Malik Davis (20) rushes past Tennessee defense during the first home game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium against the Tennessee Volunteers on Sept. 16, 2017. Davis gained 94 total yards from rushing four times during the game. The Gators won 26-20 by making a tie-breaking touchdown with zero seconds on the clock. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)
Gators running back Malik Davis (20) rushes past Tennessee defense during the first home game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium against the Tennessee Volunteers on Sept. 16, 2017. Davis gained 94 total yards from rushing four times during the game. The Gators won 26-20 by making a tie-breaking touchdown with zero seconds on the clock. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)

 

 

Gators running back Malik Davis (20) rushes past Tennessee defensive end Kyle Phillips (5) during the first home game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium against the Tennessee Volunteers on Sept. 16, 2017. Davis gained 94 total yards from rushing four times during the game. The Gators won 26-20 by making a tie-breaking touchdown with zero seconds on the clock. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)
Gators running back Malik Davis (20) rushes past Tennessee defensive end Kyle Phillips (5) during the first home game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium against the Tennessee Volunteers on Sept. 16, 2017. Davis gained 94 total yards from rushing four times during the game. The Gators won 26-20 by making a tie-breaking touchdown with zero seconds on the clock. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)

 

 

Tennessee Volunteers kicker Aaron Medley (25) attempts a field goal during the fourth quarter of the Gators' first home game of the season in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Sept. 16, 2017. The kick was no good, and the Volunteers remained down 13-3. The Gators won 26-20 by making a tie-breaking touchdown with zero seconds on the clock. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)
Tennessee Volunteers kicker Aaron Medley (25) attempts a field goal during the fourth quarter of the Gators' first home game of the season in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Sept. 16, 2017. The kick was no good, and the Volunteers remained down 13-3. The Gators won 26-20 by making a tie-breaking touchdown with zero seconds on the clock. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)

 

 

A Gator fan in the stands participates in the "Orange, Blue" chant of yelling across at the fans on the other side of the stadium during the first home game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium against the Tennessee Volunteers on Sept. 16, 2017. The Gators won 26-20 by making a tie-breaking touchdown with zero seconds on the clock. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)
A Gator fan in the stands participates in the

 

 

Former Gators running back Mark Thompson is now the subject of two criminal cases in Alachua County court alleging assault. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)
Gators running back Mark Thompson (24) avoids a tackle at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium during the first home game against the Tennessee Volunteers on Sept. 16, 2017. Thompson gained a total of 30 yards from his seven rushes during the game. The Gators won 26-20 by making a tie-breaking touchdown with zero seconds on the clock. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)

 

 

Gators defensive lineman Jordan Sherit (17) assists in bringing down the Tennessee Volunteers' John Kelly (4) in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium during the first home game against the Tennessee Volunteers on Sept. 16, 2017. The Gators won 26-20 by making a tie-breaking touchdown with zero seconds on the clock. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)
Gators defensive lineman Jordan Sherit (17) assists in bringing down the Tennessee Volunteers' John Kelly (4) in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium during the first home game against the Tennessee Volunteers on Sept. 16, 2017. The Gators won 26-20 by making a tie-breaking touchdown with zero seconds on the clock. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)

 

 

Gators wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland (89) rushes the field during the first home game against the Tennessee Volunteers on Sept. 16, 2017. The Gators won 26-20 when Cleveland made the tie-breaking touchdown after catching a 63-yard pass with zero seconds on the clock. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)
Gators wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland (89) rushes the field during the first home game against the Tennessee Volunteers on Sept. 16, 2017. The Gators won 26-20 when Cleveland made the tie-breaking touchdown after catching a 63-yard pass with zero seconds on the clock. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)

 

 

Gators and Volunteers go head to head in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium during the first home game of the season on Sept. 16, 2017. The Gators won 26-20 by making a tie-breaking touchdown with zero seconds on the clock. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)
Gators and Volunteers go head to head in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium during the first home game of the season on Sept. 16, 2017. The Gators won 26-20 by making a tie-breaking touchdown with zero seconds on the clock. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)

 

 

Philip Giangrosso cheers for the Gators in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium during the first home game against the Tennessee Volunteers on Sept. 16, 2017. The Gators won 26-20 by making a tie-breaking touchdown with zero seconds on the clock. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)
Philip Giangrosso cheers for the Gators in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium during the first home game against the Tennessee Volunteers on Sept. 16, 2017. The Gators won 26-20 by making a tie-breaking touchdown with zero seconds on the clock. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)

 

 

Gators wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland (89) argues with a referee after a play during the first home game in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium against the Tennessee Volunteers on Sept. 16, 2017. The Gators won 26-20 by making a tie-breaking touchdown with zero seconds on the clock. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)
Gators wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland (89) argues with a referee after a play during the first home game in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium against the Tennessee Volunteers on Sept. 16, 2017. The Gators won 26-20 by making a tie-breaking touchdown with zero seconds on the clock. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)

 

 

Gators wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland (89) gets tackled during the first quarter of the first home game in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium of the season against the Tennessee Volunteers on Sept. 16, 2017. The Gators won 26-20 when Cleveland made the tie-breaking touchdown with zero seconds on the clock. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)
Gators wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland (89) gets tackled during the first quarter of the first home game in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium of the season against the Tennessee Volunteers on Sept. 16, 2017. The Gators won 26-20 when Cleveland made the tie-breaking touchdown with zero seconds on the clock. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)

 

 

Painted Gator fans stand in a corner of the Ben Hill Griffin Stadium during the first home game of the season against the Tennessee Volunteers on Sept. 16, 2017. The Gators won 26-20 by making a tie-breaking touchdown with zero seconds on the clock. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)
Painted Gator fans stand in a corner of the Ben Hill Griffin Stadium during the first home game of the season against the Tennessee Volunteers on Sept. 16, 2017. The Gators won 26-20 by making a tie-breaking touchdown with zero seconds on the clock. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)

 

 

Gators safety Chauncey Gardner (23) celebrates pushing Tennessee offense out-of-bounds during the second quarter of the first home game in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium of the season against the Tennessee Volunteers on Sept. 16, 2017. The Gators won 26-20 by making a tie-breaking touchdown with zero seconds on the clock. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)
Gators safety Chauncey Gardner (23) celebrates pushing Tennessee offense out-of-bounds during the second quarter of the first home game in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium of the season against the Tennessee Volunteers on Sept. 16, 2017. The Gators won 26-20 by making a tie-breaking touchdown with zero seconds on the clock. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)

 

 

Gator fans cheer after singing "We Are the Boys" at the end of the third quarter of the first home game in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium of the season against the Tennessee Volunteers on Sept. 16, 2017. The Gators won 26-20 by making a tie-breaking touchdown with zero seconds on the clock. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)
Gator fans cheer after singing

 

 

Offensive lineman Fred Johnson (74) poses with fans following the Gators' win in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium during the first home game of the season against the Tennessee Volunteers on Sept. 16, 2017. The Gators won 26-20 by making a tie-breaking touchdown with zero seconds on the clock. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)
Offensive lineman Fred Johnson (74) poses with fans following the Gators' win in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium during the first home game of the season against the Tennessee Volunteers on Sept. 16, 2017. The Gators won 26-20 by making a tie-breaking touchdown with zero seconds on the clock. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)

 

 

Gators offensive lineman Antonio Riles (51) celebrates the team's win with Kavaris Harkless (53) on the field after the first home game of the season against the Tennessee Volunteers on Sept. 16, 2017. The Gators won 26-20 by making a tie-breaking touchdown with zero seconds left on the clock. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)
Gators offensive lineman Antonio Riles (51) celebrates the team's win with Kavaris Harkless (53) on the field after the first home game of the season against the Tennessee Volunteers on Sept. 16, 2017. The Gators won 26-20 by making a tie-breaking touchdown with zero seconds left on the clock. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)

 

 

Gators wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland (89) takes a knee on the field of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium after making the game-winning touchdown during the first home game against the Tennessee Volunteers on Sept. 16, 2017. The Gators won 26-20 when Cleveland caught a 63-yard pass in the end zone with zero seconds left on the clock. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)
Gators wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland (89) takes a knee on the field of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium after making the game-winning touchdown during the first home game against the Tennessee Volunteers on Sept. 16, 2017. The Gators won 26-20 when Cleveland caught a 63-yard pass in the end zone with zero seconds left on the clock. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)

 

 

Gator fans go wild after watching Tyrie Cleveland (89) make the game-winning touchdown during the first home game against the Tennessee Volunteers on Sept. 16, 2017. The Gators won 26-20 after Cleveland caught a 63-yard pass with zero seconds left on the clock. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)
Gator fans go wild after watching Tyrie Cleveland (89) make the game-winning touchdown during the first home game against the Tennessee Volunteers on Sept. 16, 2017. The Gators won 26-20 after Cleveland caught a 63-yard pass with zero seconds left on the clock. (Emma Green/ WUFT News)
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Emma Green
Emma Green is a reporter for WUFT News and can be reached at 305-965-0447 or greenemma@ufl.edu.
See stories by Emma Green