Florida receiver Ricky Pearsall hauls in a 32-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Graham Mertz that put Florida ahead 23-20 late in the third quarter. (Photo: Gabriella Whisler/UAA Communications)
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Standout receiver Ricky Pearsall started the game against Arkansas in catastrophic fashion, and while Florida lost in overtime, Pearsall redeemed his error.
The Gators were looking to become bowl-eligible going into Saturday's matchup against the Razorbacks, who were winless in the Southeastern Conference. Accomplishing that goal seemed unlikely barely three minutes into the first quarter.
To start the game, the Razorbacks took the field for the first time under interim offensive coordinator Kenny Guiton and orchestrated a seven-play touchdown drive to announce their arrival. Down by seven, quarterback Graham Mertz and the Gators got the ball for their opening drive at the 25-yard line.
The first play for Florida was a screen pass to Pearsall.
A fifth-year senior and transfer from Arizona State, Pearsall has been the Gators' most dynamic weapon this season. The Corona Del Sol (Ariz.) High product stepped onto Florida Field on Saturday with a team-leading 718 receiving yards, putting him fifth in the SEC. He had also brought in three touchdowns, including a game-winning snag against South Carolina.
So, when Pearsall took the ball to the far sideline and had the football stripped from him by Razorbacks freshman cornerback Jaylon Braxton for a touchdown, the crowd of 89,782 was shocked.
Who would expect the 22-year-old Pearsall to get manhandled by a true freshman?
Following Florida's 39-36 overtime loss, Pearsall spoke to the media and gave his account of the play.
"I made a mistake. I went to cutback inside and obviously tried to make something happen. But I kind of lifted the ball up a little bit too much when I was making that cutback," Pearsall said. "I felt his hand actually go inside the pocket of my arm. I was actually trying to get down after that, but he kept me up a little bit. And then he just ripped it out. He made a really good play on it."
Arkansas quickly had a 14-0 lead with 11:54 left in the first quarter.
The Gators' next drive resulted in a punt that pinned Arkansas at its 7-yard line. With the poor field position, Arkansas couldn't produce a first down and opted to punt.
On the returning end of the 43-yard punt was Pearsall, who caught the ball and took it 16 yards to Arkansas' 33, launching a series of redemption plays.
The Razorbacks punted again on their next drive, and this time, Pearsall took the ball 40 yards to the Arkansas 42.
Each stellar punt return by Pearsall led to Mertz finding freshman Eugene 'Tre' Wilson III for touchdown passes.
Ricky Pearsall following his touchdown reception in the third quarter of Saturday's game against Arkansas at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. (Photo: Lorenzo Vasquez/UAA Communications)
Pearsall said he noticed opportunities in the return game from watching previous Arkansas games on film as he prepared for Saturday's matchup.
"I saw on tape that I'd have opportunities to get some punts and to return some punts. I knew I had to take advantage of that,'' he said. "They kind of gave us some low kicking balls, so I was like, 'okay, got some time.' They were rolling, and I'd catch it off the hop."
Pearsall credited Florida's blocking on his returns, and UF head coach Billy Napier addressed the successful returns in his postgame press conference.
"We had some great punt returns," Napier said.
Meanwhile, in addition to his success returning punts, Pearsall reeled in five passes for 55 yards. One of those receptions was a 32-yard missile by Mertz for a touchdown, putting the Gators up 23-20 late in the third quarter.
Pearsall compared his performance to life when asked about how he responded after the fumble.
"Sometimes you get adversity, you just got to push through it,'' he said.
The Gators faced a similar challenge on Saturday after falling behind 14-0 before most of the fans at The Swamp had found their seats. They came back to tie the score by the end of the first quarter but ended up losing in overtime in a game that saw eight lead changes.
The Gators failed to become bowl-eligible, still needing one more win.
To qualify for a bowl, the Gators must pull off an upset in at least one of their last three games: at LSU and Missouri or home against undefeated Florida State.
They can follow Pearsall's lead from Saturday.
"We gotta put this loss behind us and get right back to work," he said.
