Former Gator TE Cornelius Ingram Talks "Swamp Kings," Tennessee Matchup
HAWTHORNE, Fla. -- Fresh off leading his team to a 41-21 win on Friday night, former Florida Gators' tight end and current Hawthorne High School head football coach Cornelius Ingram reflected on his college career and gave his opinion on the recent "Swamp Kings" documentary in an interview with All Gators.
Netflix's three-part documentary "UNTOLD: Swamp Kings," which was released on Aug. 22, featured the Florida football program between the 2005 and 2009 seasons. Ingram was a member of the team during four of those years, winning two SEC titles and two BCS national championships.
"It was really good. Netflix gave me a call about doing it. Those players, everyone spoke their truth. I can't complain because you're talking about some of the best years of my life," he said. "The relationships I created with not only teammates, but of course the coaching staff as well. A lot of them, you know, still in contact with."
After redshirting in 2004, Ingram was a reserve quarterback in 2005 before moving to tight end for the 2006 and 2007 seasons. A preseason ACL injury ended his 2008 season before it began.
He also spent time on Florida's basketball team under Billy Donovan during the 2004-2005 season.
"It was a special time to be a Florida Gator. Basketball, we're doing our thing. Campus was just on fire. So, I thought it was great," he explained. "Hopefully we can get a part two and see if other guys are wanting to speak and do something."
In his five-year Gator career, which includes a 2008 season where he missed the entire year with an injury, Ingram went 4-1 against the Vols. His redshirt season in 2004 was the last time Tennessee beat Florida before the Gators 11-game win streak in the series.
His best performance against the Vols came during his break-out junior season in 2007.
"I had a really good game my junior year," Ingram explained. "[Tim] Tebow actually hit me in the corner of the end zone on a corner route, had some of the big catches all throughout the game. Of course, you know, Percy [Harvin] was electric. It was fun."
In that game, a dominating 59-20 win for then-No. 5 Florida, Ingram caught three passes for 56 yards and a touchdown. Meanwhile, Harvin finished with 195 yard of total offense and a touchdown run.
"Talking about the talent level on both sides and when you when you're getting out there in prime time and competing, that's what that's what it's about," Ingram said. "Of course, we got the win on that particular Saturday."
Now 16 years since that aforementioned game, the times have certainly changed. Unranked Florida is looking to upset No. 11 Tennessee for their 10-straight win in the Swamp in the series.
However, Tennessee is favored by 5.5 points and has a chance to win back-to-back games in the series for the first time since 2004.
That being said, Ingram's confidence in his former team in unwavering. He explained that if Florida can avoid the self-inflicted errors like those committed against Utah, they'll have a chance at the upset.
"It'll be a big night. We'll have to get some good special team help. I think the defense will fly around. I think Coach [Billy] Napier will call the right plays, some great plays. So I like us, man," he said. "You know, I know they got the big arm quarterback with [Joe] Milton coming in. Hopefully we can get him rattled, and the crowd can get into it. And if that happens, we have a great chance."
For his official score prediction, Ingram has the Gators winning 24-17.
Florida's matchup against Tennessee in the Swamp begins at 7 p.m. with national television coverage on ESPN.
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