Arkansas – Florida: LIVE updates, scores and highlights from first half

Arkansas is nursing a six-game losing streak enter Saturday’s game against the Florida Gators. Despite the season-long struggle, the Hogs are looking to get a jolt of energy on the offensive side of the ball.

Offensive coordinator Dan Enos was fired shortly after the Razorbacks’ 7-3 loss to Mississippi State two weeks ago, making way for wide receivers coach – and former Ohio State quarterback – Kenny Guiton to take the play-calling reins. Arkansas’s offense was ranked 120th out of 130 FBS programs, under Enos.

Surprisingly, the bettors in Vegas seem to have loaded up on the Hogs this week. The current line on the game has Arkansas getting 3.5 points, dropping two full points since Thursday.

Guiton spent four years working under former Razorback offensive coordinator Kendall Briles, who departed for TCU after last season. So, it can be expected that the Hogs will revert back to what they have done the previous three seasons, under Briles, which is a much faster pace of play with quarterback KJ Jefferson improvising outside of the pocket.

Arkansas (2-6, 0-5 SEC) was off last week, giving the Hogs’ extra time to get adjusted to a new offensive coordinator, and allowed them to get some guys healthy for the stretch run.

Here’s updates from the first half of today’s action from Gainesville.

1Q 15:00 - Arkansas 0, Florida 0

Arkansas receives the opening kickoff. Florida defers to receive the second half kickoff.

1Q 12:06 - Arkansas 7, Florida 0

The Arkansas offense goes on a 7-play, 75-yard opening drive and cap it off with a touchdown. KJ Jefferson found AJ Green for an 8-yard touchdown pass. Cam Little’s extra point is GOOD.

ARKANSAS LEADS 7-0

1Q 11: 54 - Arkansas 14, Florida 0

On Florida’s first play from scrimmage, Graham Mertz finds Ricky Pearsall for a quick completion. Jaylon Braxton comes up and strips the ball from Pearsall and takes it 34 yards for a touchdown. Cam Little’s extra point is GOOD.

ARKANSAS LEADS 14-0

1Q 8:22 - Arkansas 14, Florida 0

The two teams trade three-and-outs following two quick Arkansas scores. Max Fletcher shanks a punt following Arkansas’ three-and-out, and Pearsall returns it 16 yards to give the Gators great field position.

Florida starts their third possession at the Arkansas 33-yard line.

1Q 5:33 - Arkansas 14, Florida 7

The Arkansas defense holds Florida to a third down to start the drive, but the Gators convert. Snaxx Johnson gets extremely close to forcing another Florida fumble, but it’s ruled an incomplete pass – 3rd and 7 for Florida.

Ensuing play, Mertz finds Eugen Wilson III for a 20-yard touchdown. Trey Smack’s extra point attempt is GOOD.

ARKANSAS LEADS 14-7

1Q 2:04 - Arkansas 14, Florida 14

After another three-and-out by the Arkansas offense, Pearsall returns Fletcher’s punt 40 yards to give the Gators great field position again. Florida starts at the Arkansas 42-yard line.

Florida needs just four plays and 2:13 to go 42 yards to tie this game up. Mertz finds Wilson III for a second time today, this time for 6-yard touchdown. Trey Smack’s extra point attempt is GOOD.

GAME TIED AT 14

2Q 10:55 - Arkansas 14, Florida 14

Arkansas opens their next drive with a 19-yard run from Rocket Sanders. Three plays later, Arkansas is faced with a 3rd and 5. Jefferson throws it deep into double coverage and Florida picks it off. Gators start at their own 13-yard line.

END OF 1ST QUARTER

The Arkansas defense is able to come up with a huge three-and-out stop. Florida punts and the Hogs will take over near mid-field, their best field position of the game. Arkansas faced with a 3rd and 1 where Jefferson keeps it up the middle. He was given the first down originally, but the previous play is being reviewed.

Call is overturned. Hogs faced with a 4th and 1. Florida jumps offsides to keep Arkansas’ drive alive. Three plays later, Jefferson is sacked and the Hogs are forced to punt it away.

2Q 7:34 - Arkansas 17, Florida 14

Arkansas starts at their own 18-yard line after the Gators’ drive stalls following a single first down. On the first play from scrimmage, Florida is called for a personal foul penalty, moving the Razorback offense 15 yards down the field.

Faced with a long 3rd and 12, Jefferson takes a shot deep and finds Andrew Armstrong for a 45-yard gain to the Florida 25. Two plays later, Jefferson is sacked for a loss of two on 3rd and 4. Cam Little’s 37-yard field goal attempt is GOOD.

ARKANSAS LEADS 17-14

2Q 4:39 - Arkansas 17, Florida 14

Florida starts their 7th drive of the day at their own 25-yard line. Arkansas defense holds the Gators to a 3rd and 7. Mertz finds Wilson III to convert and keep the drive alive.

Defense holds Florida to another 3rd and long, but the Gators convert once again on a free play. The Razorback defense comes up big three plays later with a stop. Florida has to attempt a 47-yard field goal. Trey Smack’s kick is GOOD.

GAME TIED AT 14

2Q 0:34 - Arkansas 17, Florida 17

Arkansas will take over at their own 25-yard line. Sam Pittman decides to just go into halftime tied at 17. Jefferson takes a knee to end the half.

HALFTIME – GAME TIED AT 17

Story originally appeared on Razorbacks Wire