KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — We’ve seen the script before, Florida beating Tennessee with a backup quarterback.

During the Gators’ 11-game winning streak over the Vols, backup quarterbacks from Tim Tebow to Cam Newton to Tyler Murphy and Treon Harris have all played a role, scored touchdowns and made an impact in helping Florida defeat Tennessee.

Austin Appleby is the latest Florida backup quarterback to get a shot. In an unexpected turn of events, nearing the final quarter of the final tune-up game before playing the Vols, Florida starting quarterback Luke Del Rio went down with a knee injury in the Gators’ 32-0 win against North Texas.

Del Rio is out, and is expected to miss at least 2-3 weeks. Now, Appleby, the Purdue graduate transfer must answer the call inside Neyland Stadium on Saturday.

Appleby looked good in his brief outing against North Texas, going 2-for-4 for 30 yards with the Gators scoring a pair of touchdowns in the fourth quarter.

But the scene will be different inside Neyland Stadium, with 102,455 in attendance at full throttle hoping to play a part in ending the 11-game slide.

But will the crowd and setting phase Appleby? The former Big Ten quarterback says no.

Except, it will.

In 2015, Appleby played in two road games – at Marshall and Iowa – and both were losses. He had a combined two passing touchdowns and four interceptions in the two games.

In 2014, Appleby played in road contests at Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Indiana – the only win came at Illinois. Once again, the touchdown to interception ratio was not stellar; throwing five touchdowns and seven interceptions on the road.

Del Rio’s injury is an unfortunate situation for Florida, but history has shown it’s hardly mattered. Is this the time Tennessee finally puts an end to Florida playing whomever and still winning?

Volunteers coaches and fans now have the preparation for disrupting the backup choice that the Gators will field, something they did not have previously.

Extending this streak to 12 will be a tall task for the Purdue graduate transfer.