By ANTONYA ENGLISH and KEITH NIEBUHR
Published September 21, 2003
GAINESVILLE - After a postgame interview on the field, Tennessee quarterback Casey Clausen raised his right index finger and walked toward the Volunteers band. Seconds later, he was on the conductor's ladder directing it.
Again.
Clausen angered some Florida players when he led the band after the Vols' upset two years ago at Florida Field. But the senior didn't hesitate to replay the event after Saturday's 24-10 win, as Tennessee fans cheered their approval.
Clausen went a step further.
He did a mock Gators chomp.
"They won the game, so they can celebrate however they see fit," Gators defensive back Keiwan Ratliff said.
A few other Vols joined in on the fun.
"They were the ones who started it," said linebacker Kevin Burnett, who with defensive back Rashad Baker took a turn directing. "They went and kind of made it personal. It symbolizes victory at The Swamp."
NOT A CHANCE: Florida punter Eric Wilbur might fantasize about becoming a defensive back, but with the way he is kicking, the Gators likely won't let that happen. The freshman from Winter Park kicked a 75-yard punt in the first quarter, fourth longest in school history. He was 1 yard shy of tying the second-best punt. Wilbur averaged 50.8 yards on six punts, using long punts and pinning the Vols inside the 20. His punt was the longest since Shayne Edge's 76-yarder in 1992. Bobby Joe Green holds the school record with an 82-yarder in 1958.
BACK ON THE FIELD: Three Gators returned after missing the first three games. Offensive tackles Jonathan Colon and Anthony Guerrero were sidelined in the preseason with injuries. Colon entered in the second series, and Guerrero made his first appearance on the first series of the second quarter. Defensive end Steven Harris debuted after being suspended awaiting the outcome of criminal charges alleging he beat up a UF student at a local nightclub. An Alachua County jury failed to reach a verdict in his third-degree felony trial last week, then Harris pled to a lesser charge and was allowed to return to the field.
PLAYING IT ALL: Vol Mark Jones gives new meaning to "does it all" for the team. The senior utility player made appearances on offense (wide receiver), defense (safety) and special teams. And Jones didn't just line up, he made an impact. He gained 24 yards on an end-around, recovered a fumble and had several defensive tackles.
FEELING THE FRUSTRATION: With the Gators struggling on offense in the first half, the record 90,332 got a little angry. With 10:04 left in the second quarter, Gator fans started booing after one of many short-yard gains on a running play. Fans retreated on the next play when Ingle Martin connected with receiver Kelvin Kight for 16 yards. But the anger returned on the next play, a fumble by Tampa's Andre Caldwell as he attempted gain more yards after a 6-yard reception. With 8:38 left in the game, many fans headed for the exits.
THIS AND THAT: Tennessee's touchdown in the second quarter was the first offensive touchdown on the Gators at Florida Field in 11 quarters and first offensive TD on the Gators in the first half this season. ... Caldwell set a career high with five receptions. ... Florida's defense has intercepted a pass every game this season.
