Oklahoma Stifles No. 24 Florida in 23-7 Loss as Gators’ Season Spirals
The No. 24 Florida Gators suffered their fourth loss in five games on Saturday night, falling 23-7 to Oklahoma in front of a sellout crowd of 90,442 in Gainesville, according to orlandosentinel.com.
After beginning the season with a 4-0 record in September, the Gators dropped to 5-4 overall and 3-4 in the Southeastern Conference as head coach Jon Sumrall acknowledged that his team’s season is slipping away.
To some degree, it feels like the spiral already started,
Sumrall said afterward.
The Sooners’ historic first visit to Gainesville turned into a defensive struggle featuring only two plays longer than 20 yards. Oklahoma improved to 5-4 overall and 3-3 in the SEC behind quarterback John Mateer and new play-caller Jason Witten. The Sooners capitalized on a drive that ended with a 3-yard touchdown catch by former Gators tight end Hayden Hansen, building an early advantage.
Florida generated just 203 total yards, 11 first downs, and 47 offensive plays during the contest. Sophomore quarterback Tramell Jones Jr., making his first home start, was sacked three times and intercepted twice by an Oklahoma defense featuring All-SEC talent across all three levels. Seven of Florida’s 10 drives produced fewer than 25 yards.
OKLAHOMA 23, FLORIDA 7 SOONERS TAME GATORS IN THE SWAMP, HOLD FLORIDA TO 7 John Mateer threw two touchdown passes and Tate Sandell made all three of his field goals Saturday in Gainesville, and Oklahoma beat Florida 23-7. The Sooners led 13-7 at halftime after Sandell's kicks of…
The Gators found their only offensive rhythm when Jadan Baugh rushed for a 15-yard touchdown — marking his 14th score of the season — during a 10-play drive. However, self-inflicted mistakes repeatedly halted Florida’s momentum. In the first half, consecutive holding penalties by right tackle Caden Jones negated a pair of 18-yard gains.
Trailing 13-7 in the third quarter, Florida drove deep into Oklahoma territory following a 33-yard reception by tailback Duke Clark. Opting to forego a field goal attempt on fourth down, Jones underthrew a pass that was intercepted by Courtland Guilroy. Oklahoma subsequently put the game away with an 89-yard, 20-play scoring drive lasting 12:45 as reported by Yahoo Sports.
We’re unable to really hang our hat on like what is our identity,
Sumrall said. Right now we feel a little bit lost.
Oklahoma just completed a 20-play, 89-yard TD drive taking 12:45 off the clock in the fourth quarter. Florida has run THIRTY FEWER PLAYS in the game.#Gators never had a chance tonight. Completely inept on both sides of the ball.