Disappointment flooded Ben Hill Griffin Stadium as the Florida Gators suffered a 39-36 loss against the Arkansas Razorbacks. Arkansas snapped a six-game losing streak and clinched its first-ever victory in the Swamp to halt the Gators’ undefeated season at home.
Although fans found the loss a tough pill to swallow, Florida head coach Billy Napier found silver linings in the performance.
“One thing I can say about our team that impressed me was that — although we got down to 14-0 in that game,” Napier said. “They continued to stick together and battle.”
The Gators trailed 14-0 early in the match when Arkansas cornerback Jaylon Braxton seized a fumble and returned it 33 yards after stripping the ball from UF senior wide receiver Ricky Pearsall.
But Florida freshman wide receiver Eugene Wilson III responded with touchdowns on two consecutive drives to tie the game.
Special teams have been a season-long concern, but the problem reached its pinnacle this weekend when it cost the Gators the potential win.
Florida almost avoided overtime with a successful field goal at the end of regulation, but sophomore kicker Trey Smack missed the 44-yard field goal wide right.
“Nobody wants to talk about special teams,” he said. “But if you take away a [point after touchdown] and a field goal, we're probably sitting here saying that's the best performance of the year.”
Before Smack’s kick, the Gator’s field goal unit attempted to rush onto the field, but the offense tried to spike the ball and stop the clock. The miscommunication led to a five-yard illegal substitution penalty that backed the kick up five yards.
“I think ultimately we made a mistake there,” the coach said on the penalty. “And every part of our organization is ultimately my responsibility.”
Florida offensive lineman Austin Barber felt the offensive line showcased its season improvements with long gains and decisive plays this weekend.
“I think we've done a lot of good things,” Barber said. “There's times where when we do it right, it looks pretty. And I think there's time we have to build on that, go back and watch some of our big explosive runs and see how we can continue to do that.”
Redshirt junior quarterback Graham Mertz completed 74% of his passes for more than 94 yards with two touchdowns in the first half. Wilson posted his first-career multi-touchdown game with two scores and a career-high 90 receiving yards on eight catches.
“I trust this offense 100 percent,” Barber said. “There's no doubt in my mind that we'll be fine.”
On the defensive front, the Gators achieved a season-high five sacks against the Razorbacks despite the absence of three starters — sophomore leading tackler Shemar James, junior defensive tackle Cam Jackson and redshirt sophomore defensive end Tyreak Sapp.
Sophomore cornerback Devin Moore recorded three tackles against Arkansas but felt the defense needed more focus, especially in practice.
“[We need to get] those reps in practice,” Moore said. “Just having a mental focus that every rep in practice is very important. It may not seem important at the time, but it will definitely show up in the game.”
Florida tied their season high with two takeaways and six tackles for loss. Moore expressed being committed to tightening the defense and filling the gaps to contribute.
“[It’s] just having the will to put your body on the line for the team and do whatever you've got to do,” he added.
The Gators will play the No. 18 Louisiana State Tigers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. The game will be broadcast on the SEC Network.
Contact Krisha Sanghavi at ksanghavi@alligator.org. Follow her on Twitter @krishasang.
Krisha Sanghavi is a third-year public relations and economics major. In her free time, she loves cheering on Miami sports teams and spending time with her friends.
