FINAL: ARKANSAS 31, FLORIDA 10
FAYETTEVILLE, AK- In the matchup between the Florida Gators and the Arkansas Razorbacks on Saturday it was expected that Florida would do everything they could to improve their rankings in the College Football Playoff poll.
And maybe Florida did do everything they could, which could be the problem.
Arkansas allowed 543 rushing yards to Auburn in their most recent game. Many predicted Florida’s four headed running back stable to run wild. However, Florida was trailing after one offensive play, and completely abandoned the run game with only 14 attempts (three of those were actually Arkansas sacks) while gaining a total of 12 yards.
Luke Del Rio looked unsteady the entire night. His first pass was thrown into a tight window and bounced off two defenders before being returned as a pick-six. Although his final stats read 19-37 for 229 yards, don’t be fooled. Most of those yards were picked up in the garbage time of the fourth quarter while Arkansas was playing prevent defense.
Arkansas quarterback Austin Allen commanded the Razorbacks offense throwing for 243 yards and a touchdown against what statistically was the top defense in the SEC. Perhaps even more concerning for Florida’s defense, was the fact that Arkansas ran for 223 yards.
Florida has a huge division matchup against South Carolina at home next week. South Carolina head coach Will Muschamp will be returning to the Swamp for the first time since being fired after 2014. You can bet that Muschamp would love to end Florida’s hopes at repeating as SEC East champions.
COMING THIS WEEK:
-We will be discussing the injuries suffered in this game as more information becomes available.
-We will also discuss in a separate article what the Florida offense must do to contend with (gulp) South Carolina
-We will also be providing a pointed article at the failures of Jim McElwain as he fell to 16-6 in his UF coaching career.
SEC EAST STANDINGS:
- FLORIDA 6-2 4-2
- KENTUCKY 5-3 4-2*
- TENNESSEE 6-3 2-3
- GEORGIA 4-4 2-4*
- CAROLINA 5-4 3-4
- VANDERBILT 4-5 1-4
- MISSOURI 2-7 0-5
*Teams are playing at time of publishing
Game Summary:
1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | OT | FINAL | |
FLORIDA | 7 | 0 | 0 | 3 | X | 10 |
ARKANSAS | 14 | 7 | 0 | 10 | X | 31 |
SCORING:
- 1st Quarter: L. Del Rio pass intercepted by S. Ramirez 24 yards (McFain kick)
- 1st Quarter: R. Williams 6 yard run (McFain kick)
- 1st Quarter: A. Allen pass intercepted by D. Dawson 37 yards (Piniero kick)
- 2nd Quarter: Morgan 7 yard run (McFain kick)
- 4th Quarter: A. McFain 36 yard FG
- 4th Quarter: E. Piniero 49 yard FG
- 4th Quarter: R. Williams 41 yard run (McFain kick)
PASSING LEADERS:
FLORIDA | ARKANSAS |
Del Rio 19/37, 229 yards, 2 INT | Allen 15-26, 243 yards, TD, INT |
RUSHING LEADERS:
FLORIDA | ARKANSAS |
Thompson 3 carries, 19 yards | Williams 26 carries, 148 yards |
Scarlett 5 carries, 15 yards | Whaley 14 carries, 66 yards |
RECEIVING LEADERS:
FLORIDA | ARKANSAS |
Callaway 4 receptions, 44 yards | Mogan 7 receptions, 95 yards, TD |
Powell 2 receptions, 41 yards | Whaley 2 receptions, 69 yards |
Fulwood 2 receptions, 38 yards | Sprinkle 3 receptions, 51 yards |
TEAM STATS:
FLORIDA | ARKANSAS | |
FIRST DOWNS | 13 | 23 |
TOTAL PLAYS | 51 | 75 |
TOTAL YARDS | 241 | 466 |
PASS YARDS | 229 | 243 |
RUSHING YARDS | 12 | 223 |
TURNOVERS | 2 | 1 |
PENALTIES | 3-34 | 9-97 |
TIME OF POSSESSION | 20:39 | 39:21 |
WHAT’S NEXT:
FLORIDA GATORS VS SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS
NOVEMBER 12, 2016
BEN HILL GRIFFIN STADIUM