GAINESVILLE — Florida safety Mordecai McDaniel stared into the Tennessee backfield at Hendon Hooker, fixated on the Vols’ quarterback as the play began to unfold.
What McDaniel missed was receiver JaVonta Payton running his way and soon past the Gators’ sophomore en route to an all-too-easy 75-yard touchdown catch.
Earlier, a 47-yard Tennessee score on a screen pass to Tiyon Evans featured missed tackles by a Gators defense plagued by them a week earlier during a loss to top-ranked Alabama.
Neither defensive breakdown ultimately impacted the outcome against Tennessee, 38-14 losers last weekend in the Swamp.