Oklahoma’s Defense and Late Drive Sink Florida

Oklahoma beat Florida 23-7 in Gainesville on November 7, improving to 5-4 overall and 3-3 in Southeastern Conference play. Oklahoma found the end zone on each of its opening two drives and limited the Gators to 203 yards of offense, while interim offensive coordinator Jason Witten guided the team after Ben Arbuckle was fired.

Quarterback John Mateer completed 21 of 33 passes for 214 yards and two touchdowns, and ran for 56 yards. He connected with Rocky Beers on a 41-yard gain to set up an early field goal. On Oklahoma’s next scoring possession, a fourth-down conversion helped sustain the drive, which ended with Mateer finding tight end Hayden Hansen for a short touchdown and a 10-0 lead.

Florida’s Jaden Baugh scored on a 15-yard run, but the Sooners otherwise kept him in check: he gained 35 yards on eight carries. Gators quarterback Tramell Jones Jr. completed 10 of 22 passes for 133 yards and threw two interceptions. One came in the end zone with Florida trailing 13-7 in the third quarter.

Oklahoma put the game away with a 20-play, 89-yard touchdown drive that took 12 minutes and 45 seconds. The Sooners converted five third downs before Mateer’s short pass to Isaiah Sategna capped the possession. Florida went four-and-out afterward, and the crowd began leaving.

The win ended Florida’s run of 48 straight home victories against teams making their first visit to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Oklahoma will host Ole Miss next Saturday; Florida is scheduled to visit Kentucky.