UF falls to Ole Miss, 31-30
UF falls to Ole Miss, 31-30
In front of a packed house at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, the No. 4 Florida Gators lost a close one to the Ole Miss Rebels Saturday afternoon.
The Rebels drew first blood with a 70-yard, 10-play drive at the 3:12 mark of the first quarter. The score came as a result of a fake punt executed by Ole Miss which gave the Rebels
possession at the Gators’ 46-yard line. Quarterback Jevan Snead finished the drive on a one-yard touchdown run to put the Rebels up 7-0. The score marked the first time that the Gators trailed this season and the first time the UF defense allowed a touchdown in the first half.
The Gators failed to convert on third down and had to settle for three with a 38-yard field goal attempt to narrow the Rebels’ lead, 7-3, early in the second quarter.
The Gators seized the lead just minutes later with an interception by sophomore safety Major Wright. Quarterback Tim Tebow connected with junior wide receiver/running back Percy Harvin on a 43-yard touchdown pass, giving Florida a 10-7 lead.
The Gator defense steps up holding the Rebels to a three-and-out after Florida fumbled the ball at the Ole Miss 35-yard line. The fumble was Florida’s first turnover of the season.
The Gators marched down the field on an 81-yard, five-play touchdown drive to extend the lead to 17-7 going into halftime.
On their first possession of the second half, Florida fumbled again giving the Rebels possession at Florida’s 34-yard line. The defense held Ole Miss to a field goal cutting the lead to seven points about five minutes into the third quarter.
A third fumble gave Ole Miss possession once again at the Florida 18-yardline. The offense capitalized on the mistake and tied the game, 17-17. On their next possession, a 40-yard touchdown run gave the Rebels a 24-17 lead.
The Gators fought back with another touchdown tying it up 24-24.
With 5:26 left in the game, Ole Miss moved ahead again with an 86-yard touchdown pass making the score, 31-24.
The Gators’ Harvin scored on a 15-yard run with 3:28 to play in the game, but the extra-point attempt was blocked making the Rebels the final victor, 31-30.
The Gators will travel to Fayetteville to face Arkansas on October 4 at 12:30 p.m.
