#4 in the top-6 games of our storied rivalry. September 19, 1944 Gainesville, FL - The wartime years of the early 1940’s were a difficult time for everyone. America was waging a winners-take-all battle against Fascism, Tennessee was battling a raging epidemic of tooth decay, and UT was battling I-40 for state funding. But nowhere was the battle bigger than within the UT athletic administration. Nearly all of the able-bodied male students were off at war, and this depleted the coffers of talent for all UT athletic teams. However, since the U.S. military at the time would not admit women, gays, democrats or people from California, there was still somewhat of a talent pool to draw from on campus. So, the debate centered around whether to field an all-girl football team (which would be a delight to the Neyland crowd, except for the male clarinet players in the marching band), or to field a gay football team, which would have been an embarrassment to the university, and would have raided the Schools of Music, Theatre and Architecture of nearly all their students. UT settled on a compromise, inviting people from both to try out. The season started with a mortifying loss to the Alpha Chi Omega house, but UT’s schedule got much easier the next week with a trip to Lexington. The win came despite the fact that UT’s quarterback, Sam "Fun Hands" Bellweather, didn’t make the trip due to a scheduling conflict – he had a drag show to do at the Carousel. Bellweather had already made significant contributions to the team, however, designing new uniforms that, in his words, were "like, sooooooooo totally hot, you know?" After the customary win against UK’s girls and gays, there was the trip to Gainesville. Unfortunately, UT's entire defensive line couldn’t make the trip, due to the opening night of Guys 'n Dolls at the UT playhouse. Opening nights without a chorus line net brutal reviews, after all. This notwithstanding, UT had a strong offensive line, anchored at center by Pat Summitt. The much-aware Gator fans were prepared for UT, and specifically Fun Hands Bellweather, with many having made posterboards of Robert Redford’s picture, in an attempt to arouse and rattle him. It worked. Fun Hands Bellweather was "like, totally turned on," and in his distracted lust threw an interception on the first play. Interim coach Dr. Wayne Howell (assistant professor of Philosophy and Gender Studies) not only threw the playbook to the ground but spit on it in a distasteful, amateurish display of emotion (Bellweather had spent 6 hours designing a cover for the playbook that was "just, like, totally manly-footballish.") An indifferent Bellweather simply swished past Howell, muttering under his breath about how "we need to get you a new haircut." With all chances of Bellweather passing the ball ever again gone in one play, UT’s offense relied on bruising running back Sharon "the Pink Bulldozer" McAllister, 240 lbs of muscle and short spiked hair, running behind fullback Helen "6-tooth" Collins (and loving it.) Although establishing the running game and moving the ball well, UT was plagued with turnovers (McAllister had very little experience holding balls). Florida capitalized to take a 21-3 halftime lead. In the second half, Florida’s dynamic quarterback Gail "Call me 'sir' goddamit" Watson engineered 2 more TD drives before breaking her ankle and a nail on the same play. Florida scratched and clawed their way through multiple UT onslaughts, but held on in the end 42-31. That year was memorable, as many people said they had never seen the locker room at Neyland better decorated, with burgundy curtains, throw pillows and charming, charming marble end tables in front of each locker. UT president Harlon Dickey didn’t get the bill until several months later, and to balance the books promptly eliminated all the Humanities and Social Sciences departments on campus. On a brighter note, the UT football team was declared national champions by Out Magazine, their own head coach, and Knoxville mayor Emmit Hellhoff. If you were offended by the gay jokes, don’t be. I’m gay and I make fun of myself all the time. UT quarterback Sam "Fun Hands" Bellweather, at the Heisman Trophy ceremony, got into a nasty little tussle with Cal quarterback Helen Bedd after both arrived in matching outfits. Helen "6-tooth" Collins. Later only 5. Entrance to the UT locker room, after players wasted the whole night before the Georgia game redecorating. Robert Redford poster which cost UT an early turnover, and Bellweather his starting job.