Graphic: Scott MacCord/UAA Communications
The Quick Slant: Arkansas 31, Gators 10
Saturday, November 5, 2016 | Football, Scott Carter
The No. 10-ranked Gators went quietly on the road to loosen grip on SEC East lead.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- The Gators are no longer perfect against Arkansas since the Razorbacks joined the Southeastern Conference 24 years ago. They are now 9-1.
Gators head coach Jim McElwain is no longer perfect against unranked opponents in his time at UF. He is now 15-1.
And Luke Del Rio no longer has a perfect record as Florida's starting quarterback. He is now 5-1.
You get what the theme is, right?
Florida's 31-10 loss at Arkansas on Saturday afternoon was anything but perfect for the SEC East leaders. The Gators' three-game winning streak ended and it was a challenge from the start for the offense. Meanwhile, Arkansas racked up 466 yards against a beaten down UF defense that was on the field much of the day.
On the Gators' first play of the game, Del Rio's pass to Tyrie Cleveland bounced into the air and was snatched by Razorbacks safety Santos Ramirez, who returned the interception for a 24-yard touchdown.
The Gators quickly fell behind 14-0 before Duke Dawson's 37-yard interception return made it 14-7 at the end of the first quarter. The Gators didn't score again until 6:49 left in the game on Eddy Pineiro's 49-yard field goal.
Too little, too late in this one.
Here is a closer look at the Florida-Arkansas game:
WHAT IT MEANS: By the end of the night, it could mean Florida has dropped from atop the SEC East if Kentucky defeats Georgia at home. The Gators (6-2, 4-2) will either be a half-game ahead of the Wildcats or a half-game behind depending on the outcome. Florida does own the tiebreaker against the Wildcats should they end the season tied atop the division. Also, several Florida players suffered injuries Saturday, including starting center Cam Dillard (knee) and linebacker Alex Anzalone (arm/hand) and did not return. Kickoff returner Chris Thompson also was hurt on a hard hit and did not return.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Del Rio (19 of 37, 229 yards, two interceptions) had a difficult day. His first pass was intercepted and he threw another one later in the game that set off the Twitter critics. Del Rio has struggled with turnovers since returning from a knee injury. In his last three games, Del Rio has thrown two touchdown passes and six interceptions.
STAGGERING STATISTIC: Arkansas allowed 543 yards rushing in a 56-3 loss at Auburn two weeks ago. The Razorbacks had a bye week, but much of the pregame analysis focused on Florida's potential ability to exploit the Hogs' run defense. Never happened. Florida finished with 12 yards rushing on 14 carries.
SUBPLOT: McElwain and the Gators voiced an optimistic tone after last week's win over Georgia in Jacksonville. They had a clear path to the SEC East title and spoke about making a statement at Arkansas. Clearly, they had another statement in mind. All they can do now is correct mistakes, get healthy and be ready for South Carolina on Senior Day.
UP NEXT: The Gators host South Carolina in their final home game of the season. This one features several intriguing storylines, none that will be talked about more than the return of former UF head coach Will Muschamp, who was replaced by McElwain and is in his first year at South Carolina.
Gators head coach Jim McElwain is no longer perfect against unranked opponents in his time at UF. He is now 15-1.
And Luke Del Rio no longer has a perfect record as Florida's starting quarterback. He is now 5-1.
You get what the theme is, right?
Florida's 31-10 loss at Arkansas on Saturday afternoon was anything but perfect for the SEC East leaders. The Gators' three-game winning streak ended and it was a challenge from the start for the offense. Meanwhile, Arkansas racked up 466 yards against a beaten down UF defense that was on the field much of the day.
On the Gators' first play of the game, Del Rio's pass to Tyrie Cleveland bounced into the air and was snatched by Razorbacks safety Santos Ramirez, who returned the interception for a 24-yard touchdown.
The Gators quickly fell behind 14-0 before Duke Dawson's 37-yard interception return made it 14-7 at the end of the first quarter. The Gators didn't score again until 6:49 left in the game on Eddy Pineiro's 49-yard field goal.
Too little, too late in this one.
Here is a closer look at the Florida-Arkansas game:
WHAT IT MEANS: By the end of the night, it could mean Florida has dropped from atop the SEC East if Kentucky defeats Georgia at home. The Gators (6-2, 4-2) will either be a half-game ahead of the Wildcats or a half-game behind depending on the outcome. Florida does own the tiebreaker against the Wildcats should they end the season tied atop the division. Also, several Florida players suffered injuries Saturday, including starting center Cam Dillard (knee) and linebacker Alex Anzalone (arm/hand) and did not return. Kickoff returner Chris Thompson also was hurt on a hard hit and did not return.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Del Rio (19 of 37, 229 yards, two interceptions) had a difficult day. His first pass was intercepted and he threw another one later in the game that set off the Twitter critics. Del Rio has struggled with turnovers since returning from a knee injury. In his last three games, Del Rio has thrown two touchdown passes and six interceptions.
STAGGERING STATISTIC: Arkansas allowed 543 yards rushing in a 56-3 loss at Auburn two weeks ago. The Razorbacks had a bye week, but much of the pregame analysis focused on Florida's potential ability to exploit the Hogs' run defense. Never happened. Florida finished with 12 yards rushing on 14 carries.
SUBPLOT: McElwain and the Gators voiced an optimistic tone after last week's win over Georgia in Jacksonville. They had a clear path to the SEC East title and spoke about making a statement at Arkansas. Clearly, they had another statement in mind. All they can do now is correct mistakes, get healthy and be ready for South Carolina on Senior Day.
UP NEXT: The Gators host South Carolina in their final home game of the season. This one features several intriguing storylines, none that will be talked about more than the return of former UF head coach Will Muschamp, who was replaced by McElwain and is in his first year at South Carolina.
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