Tennessee DC: Soft coverage would've let Florida attempt winning FG

The long leg of Florida kicker Eddy Pineiro apparently forced Tennessee into playing an unusually aggressive defense that allowed the Gators to execute a game-ending Hail Mary touchdown Saturday.

"Florida has an outstanding kicker," defensive coordinator Bob Shoop explained Tuesday, referencing the powerful Pineiro. "The guy can kick 55-, 60-yard field goals."

With the game tied 20-20 and only nine ticks left on the clock, Tennessee inexplicably allowed Florida's Tyrie Cleveland to streak past the defense and haul in a 67-yard pass from Feleipe Franks for the win.

Shoop said the Volunteers were convinced Florida, which had one timeout left, was going to look for an intermediate pass to get Pineiro into field-goal range, rather than attempt an improbable touchdown.

"When they got that first first down, we thought they were gonna play for getting the ball in that 35- to 40-yard area and kick a long field goal," he said.

Shoop added that Florida, indeed, initially looked to hit on a shorter pass, but the Vols defended the play well, which is why Franks wound up scrambling and heaving one up into the end zone.

Pineiro is 2-for-3 in his career on field goals 40 yards or longer, but nailed an 81-yard attempt during practice in May.