Gators stunned in overtime by Arkansas at the Swamp

GAINESVILLE —The Florida Gators filed onto the field dressed in black uniforms to honor military and first-responders, an appropriate fashion choice on the darkest day for coach Billy Napier’s program.

The Gators’ 39-36 overtime loss to Arkansas, winless in the SEC entering the day, snapped a six-game home winning streak and put UF’s bowl eligibility in peril. Napier’s squad was undone by continued special teams miscues, wasted time outs, a sporadic offense and an injury riddled defense overrun by a Razorbacks’ attack at full strength for the first time in weeks.

Coach Sam Pittman’s Hogs (3-6, 1-5) ended a run of close calls, including five losses by one possessions, by celebrating on Steve Spurrier-Florida Field, led by former Gators’ offensive lineman Josh Braun performing the Gator Chomp.

UF (5-4, 3-3 SEC) now turns its attention to a daunting three-game stretch to close the season Nov. 11 at LSU, followed by a Nov. 18 date at Missouri and a Nov. 25 visit from Florida State.

Florida had a chance to win in regulation but a 44-yard field-goal attempt by kicker Trey Smack drifted wide right, just the second miss on 15 tries by the sophomore. A 39-yard field goal by Smack in overtime was momentary redemption.

Razorbacks veteran quarterback KJ Jefferson soon found Tyrone Broden for a 4-yard touchdown against Florida cornerback Devin Moore for the decisive points. Jefferson set up the game-winning score with a 20-yard run on first-and-20 following a holding call. An 11-yard run followed by star tailback Raheim “Rocket” Sanders to give his team first-and-goal.

Florida head coach Billy Napier paces the sideline during the Gators’ 39-36 overtime loss to Arkansas Nov. 4 in Gainesville. (AP Photo/John Raoux)A missed extra point followed a botched snap-and-hold as Florida took its first lead at 23-20 but loomed large on a day when shaky special teams cost the Gators yet again.

The overtime capped a wild fourth quarter featuring two lead changes and two ties as a crowd of 89,782 looked on.

Standouts

Arkansas

Jefferson: The quarterback threw for 255 yards and 2 scores and rushed for 92 yards and another touchdown.

Sanders: The native of Rockledge has missed several game since a Week 1 knee injury but returned to run for 103 yards on 18 carries.

Landon Johnson: The defensive end had two tackles for loss, including a sack, a pass breakup and five tackles.

Florida

Trevor Etienne: Etienne’s 26-yard touchdown run provided UF a 33-30 lead and gave him 123 yards from scrimmage, 80 rushing.

Eugene Wilson III: The freshman receiver scored 2 first-quarter touchdowns and finished with 8 catches for 90 yards, both career highs.

Jordan Castell: The first-year safety from Orlando had 11 tackles and an interception.

Noteworthy

– Wilson has 3 touchdowns in the past two weeks and 4 on the season, one behind Ricky Pearsall and Montrell Johnson for the team lead.

– Jaydon Hill’s fumble recovery to set up Pearsall’s score was just the Gators’ fifth takeaway and second defensive fumble recovery.

– With leading tackler Shemar James out after season-ending knee surgery, Houston transfer linebacker had 10 tackles during his first extensive action.

Check back for more as this is a developing story.