FLORIDA FOOTBALL: Razorbacks Shock Gators in The Swamp

After a disappointing loss to Georgia in Jacksonville a week ago, Billy Napier, his staff and his team made it clear that their focus was on Arkansas and not on the past. Unfortunately for the Gators, early on it appeared their focus was still on the past, or potentially the future. Regardless, it was not on the Arkansas game, and it potentially cost the Gators bowl eligibility.

Before fans were even in the stadium, Florida trailed 14-0. Give credit to Napier and his team, who were trailing by 14 less than five minutes in, they rallied back. Eugene Wilson III scored two (almost three) touchdowns to even the score. Wilson has been a focal point of the Gators' offense, and surged Florida back into the game.

The Gators then forced an interception on the next drive, but all of the momentum appeared to disappear and both teams headed to the locker room knotted at 17.

As for the second half, things started a bit slower, with just one touchdown in the first seven drives, but it was Florida who found the end zone first and took a 23-20 lead after a Ricky Pearsall touchdown.

From that point, it appeared like a chess match. Both teams traded punches, with a field goal by both sides followed by a KJ Jefferson touchdown run to put the Razorbacks up 30-26. Luckily for the Orange & Blue, Trevor Etienne busted a 41 yard run into Arkansas territory and proceeded to score on a 26 yard rush.

With the Gators leading by three with just over three minutes to play, the Razorbacks took over. It took just three plays for Arkansas to get into Florida territory but two Razorback penalties set Arkansas behind the chains. That appeared to be the last bright moment for the Gators, who hoped that would push the visitors out of field goal range. Unfortunately, a hooking field goal with 44 seconds to go knotted the score again.

Florida quickly moved down the field with no timeouts, much in part due to Arlis Boardingham who has three catches for 39 yards in the span of three plays. The Gators special teams unit headed out for a 38 yarder, but the offense stayed on the field and a penalty was called. That set Florida back from a 38 yard field goal to a 44 yarder. Unofficially, the 38 yarder would've been good, however the 44 yard field goal was wide and the game entered overtime.

Arkansas won the toss. Florida received first. Three and out.

The Gators offense was stangant for much of the second half, including in some of the biggest moments late in the game.

Florida settles for a field goal on the first possession of overtime, while the Razorbacks took just four plays to walk off as winners in Gainesville.

Bookend the penultimate home game for the 2023 season with poor play on both sides of the ball. Not to mention, Florida is not yet bowl eligible and will now play three ranked teams (two on the road) in their final three games.

Notable Team Stats

Rushing Yards

Florida: 112

Arkansas: 226

Passing Yards

Florida: 282

Arkansas: 255

Total Yards

Florida: 394

Arkansas: 481

Penalties (Yards lost)

Florida: 7 (55 yards)

Arkansas: 6 (45 yards)

Third Down Conversions

Florida: 8/17

Arkansas: 8/18

Notable Individual Stats

Graham Mertz: 26/42 282 yds, 3 TDs

Eugene Wilson III: 8 rec 90 yds 2 Tds

Ricky Pearsall: 5 rec 55 yds 1 TD

Arlis Boardingham: 4 rec 49 yds

Trevor Etienne: 12 carries 80 yds 1 TD