Florida 47, Tennessee 21: 5 things we learned from Vols' turnover-filled disaster

What a disaster.

If it could go wrong, it did go wrong Saturday night for Tennessee, which lost 47-21 to Florida in front of 100,027 at Neyland Stadium.

"We just shot ourselves in the foot too many times," center Ryan Johnson said.

The Vols (2-2, 0-1 SEC) have lost 10 straight conference games.

Florida (3-1, 1-1) has won 13 of the past 14 meetings against its rival. The 47 points marked the most the Gators have ever scored in Neyland.

Here are five things we learned.

Turnovers destroy the Vols

Tennessee didn’t punt in the first half. It also trailed 26-3 at the break.

Here’s how Tennessee's first-half drives ended: Fumble, interception, turnover on downs, field goal, safety, fumble, fumble.

And then it fumbled the opening kickoff of the third quarter. Florida's Jordan Scarlett scored on a 19-yard run on the following play.

Florida's first two touchdowns came on drives of 21 and 7 yards thanks to short fields after turnovers.

Overall, Florida converted its six takeaways into 24 points.

“For us to have success, we need to be on the other side (of the turnover battle)," said Vols coach Jeremy Pruitt, whose team had one takeaway.

The Gators now have 14 takeaways this season, and the Vols have eight turnovers in the past two games after going turnover-free in the first two weeks.

The epitome of the game came on a fourth-down play in the second quarter. Jarrett Guarantano completed a play-action pass to Austin Pope, who had no one between him and the end zone. UF cornerback CJ Henderson caught up to Pope at the 4 after a 51-yard gain and delivered a hit to his legs. Pope lost his handle on the football and fumbled it out of the end zone for a touchback.

“He’s got to squeeze the ball and finish down there on the goal line," Pruitt said.

John Adams:And you thought the 2017 Tennessee Vols football team was bad?

Jarrett Guarantano gets knocked around

Guarantano took plenty of hits throughout the game. He exited briefly during the second quarter after taking a blow to the left shoulder. He re-entered, only to exit for good in the third quarter after Florida defensive lineman CeCe Jefferson barreled into Guarantano's left knee. Jefferson's hit was supplied well after Guarantano passed the ball.

“I think Jarrett is going to be fine," Pruitt said. "Jarrett is tough. I knew that when I came here."

The sophomore quarterback had one of the roughest outings of his career, finishing 7-of-18 passing for 164 yards with two interceptions and a lost fumble.

"He's learning on the go, and he's maturing," Pruitt said. "I think he's a guy that's going to be a really good quarterback one day. I like the way he's growing into it. But we've got to give the guy a chance a little bit. He can't take as many hits when he's not looking."

Run game not good either

The Vols' run blocking was not good either. They averaged 2.9 yards per carry. Madre London led the way with 66 yards on 11 carries and a touchdown.

Getting overpowered wasn't the line's only problem, either. Trey Smith had a personal foul to hamstring one drive, and Drew Richmond had a false start.

Defense hurt by big plays

UT's defense got torched by several big plays.

Freddie Swain made the Vols look silly on a 65-yard touchdown reception. Kadarius Toney had a 34-yard run on an end around. Scarlett bulled his way into the end zone on a 19-yard touchdown scamper. Feleipe Franks completed a 38-yard touchdown pass to Tyrie Cleveland. Dameon Pierce broke off a 47-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter.

“Based off explosive plays and turnovers, just too much to overcome," Pruitt said.

HIT THE SHOWERS:Quart'e Sapp sent to locker room by Jeremy Pruitt, status with program uncertain

It doesn't look good from here

This felt like a game the Vols needed to win if it hoped to make a bowl. Now, the thought shifts. How bad will it get?

The Vols' next four games are against Georgia, Auburn, Alabama and South Carolina. Tennessee almost certainly will be underdogs in those games and probably in November home contests against Missouri and Kentucky, too.

ANALYSIS:Florida 47, Tennessee 21: 5 things we learned from Vols' turnover-filled disaster

ADAMS:And you thought the 2017 Tennessee Vols football team was bad?

GRADING THE VOLS:UT's offense fails in turnover-fest against Florida

TURNOVER-FEST:UT Vols' practice doesn't make perfect as reflected by six turnovers vs. Florida

WEIGH IN:You grade Tennessee's performance against Florida