GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Arkansas Razorbacks headed east to Gainesville, Florida to take on the Florida Gators in their blackout game. This is the first game without offensive coordinator Dan Enos, who was let go after The Hogs 7-3 against Mississippi State. WR coach Kenny Guiton is set to call the Razorbacks plays.
Arkansas got the ball to start the game, and they drove right down the field and put it in the end zone after an 8 yard touchdown pass from KJ Jefferson to running back AJ Green. The Hogs led 7-0 with 12:06 left in the first quarter.
The game stayed hot for the Hogs as on the first play from scrimmage for Florida, defensive back Jaylon Braxton stripped the Gator runner, and took it to the house to put the Razorbacks up 14-0 just seconds after going up 7.
After acquiring good field position, The Gators did nothing with the ball and was forced to punt it away back to Arkansas. A great Gator punt had KJ Jefferson and Co. starting inside their own 10 yard-line.
This time however, it wasn't as easy for the Hogs offensive as they lost yards after a sack on Jefferson. They were then forced to punt from their own end zone and Florida returned it to the Hogs 33 where the Gators would take over with prime field position.
The Gators drove well, and on 3rd and 7, Florida QB Graham Mertz finds his receiver Eugene Wilson III for a 20 yard Touchdown to get his team within 7. Hogs still lead 14-7 with 5:33 left in the first.
Once again, Arkansas did nothing with the ball. They went 3 and out and was forced to punt. The Gators had another great punt return getting them the ball at the Hogs 42. The very first play of the drive Trevor Etienne ran 32 yards to Arkansas' 10 yard line setting up a first and goal. On third and goal for Florida what appeared to be another Wilson III TD, a pair of penalties on both teams negated it. But it wouldn't matter as Wilson III would still get in the next play to tie the game at 14 with 2:04 left.
The next drive Rocket Sanders made his presence known as he started the drive out with a 19 yard run. But on third and short, Jefferson rolled out and tried to get a big gain to Andrew Armstrong, but Florida DB Jordan Castell cut it off and intercepted the ball at the Gator 9 where they would take over.
At the end of the first quarter, it was tied at 14.
The Hog defense held strong though and was able to force a punt, and this time Arkansas got the good field position starting on their own 45.
Arkansas quickly got the ball into Gator territory but faced a 4th and 1on the 46. Pittman elected to go for it and an offsides penalty negated what appeared to be a Gator stop, and the drive stayed alive. But the hogs weren't able to do much more after that as on 3rd and 10, Jefferson was sacked for a loss of 8, and once again had to punt.
Florida took over at the 20 after a touchback. After just one first down, the Razorbacks decided to join the sack party on third down and forced a punt of their own.
The drive got off to a shaky start, but a big play from Jefferson to Armstrong got the Hogs inside the Gator twenty. That was about all they could get however and settled for 3. Cam Little came out for a 37 yard field goal and he hit it. Arkansas went up 17-14.
Florida got the ball back and it started off well getting a few of first downs and driving the ball down the field. The drive would stall out for Florida and would be forced to kick a field goal trying to tie the game going into half time. The 47 yard field goal was good to tie the game at 17.
The Hogs would kneel the ball into halftime with the Gators ready to receive to start the 2nd half. The score was 17-17.
The Gators started the second half on the 30 yard-line. They were able to come up with one first down, but couldn't do much else and punted into the end zone for a touchback. Razorback ball at their own 20.
Once again Armstrong comes up with a huge play to get the ball inside Gator territory, unfortunately that's all they could get much more. Cam Little came out for another field goal and hits the 41-yard field goal to give The Hogs a 20-17 lead.
On the next drive, Florida struggling to get anything going and then Quarterback Graham Mertz went down putting in back up Max Brown for a 3rd and 12. The Gators played it safe and ran it up the middle for no gain, and forced to punt once again.
Punt returner Isaiah Sategna had a solid return taking it inside Gator territory to the 46. The Hogs were moving the ball well but a holding call on a long AJ Green run hurt the momentum of the drive. The a couple plays later another penalty took away another first down. They were unable to convert a 3rd and 8 as Cam Little trotted out once again. This time it's 50 yards but it's no good. The Hog lead remains just 3.
The Gators offense came back out with Graham Mertz looking healthy, and quickly got the ball near midfield. That's as far as the could get though and punted once more back to the Arkansas offense.
RELATED: Enos relieved of duties
The Hogs took over at the Gator 10. On 3rd and 7, KJ Jefferson couldn't find anyone open, so he took it himself for a big first down to the 29. Unfortunately for the Hogs, AJ Green fumbled the very next play, giving The Gators the ball at the 32.
Ricky Pearsall took advantage as on the first play of the drive Mertz hit him for a 32 yard Touchdown, giving the Gators their first lead of the game. Florida led 23-20 with 1:38 left in third, after a botched PAT.
Sategna took the opposing kick off to the 30 yard-line where they would take over. After Hogs drove right down the field and a defensive PI got the inside the 20. A couple plays later it was first and goal from the 9. They Hogs weren't able to do anything after that. Cam Little came out to once again kick a field goal, this one from just 22 yards and he drilled it. Tied at 23 with 12:54 left in the ballgame.
A touchback would give Florida the ball at the 25. Florida was driving well and on 3rd and 9, the got a big conversion to get them the ball well intro Razorback territory. It looked like a fumble but forward progress was stopped and Florida kept possession. They were able to come up with another field goal to give them a 26-23 lead.
Arkansas got the ball back at the 16. That's where Jefferson's legs came into play. He was able to get two first down runs and another third down conversion through the air getting the Hogs in field goal range. But the Hogs wanted more than a field goal and they got it as KJ Jefferson once again got a huge run for a 25 yard touchdown giving Arkansas the lead back. Arkansas now up 30-26 with just 4:26 to play.
Florida now got the ball back with a chance to go win it, however they need a Touchdown as a field goal isn't enough. But it was absolutely no problem as in just a minute 30 Etienne takes it all the way for six. Florida leads 33-30.
Arkansas now has their chance to go win or tie. They drive the field but a penalty puts them in third and long situation outside of field goal range. They were able to get enough to get into Cam Littles Range and he attempted a 49 yard field to tie and he hit it. 33-33 with 44 seconds left.
Florida got the ball at their own 25. First play they get a huge 15 yard gain to give them hope of a late field goal. They were able to drive deep into Hog territory. Now it's up to the Gators kicker to hit a 44 yarder and it's no good.
We're going to Overtime.
The Gators got the ball to start OT, but were unable to get a first down and had to kick a field goal. The field goal was good and Florida took a 36-33 lead.
Arkansas would then get a shot to win it with a touchdown. KJ Jefferson's legs stayed a big impact getting a first down 1st and 20 after a hold. Then on first down Tyrone Brooke caught a 5 yard touchdown and the Hogs won the game 39-36 in Overtime.
The Hogs snapped their 6 game losing streak and get ready to come back home for three straight home games starting with Auburn next week.
