#1 Florida almost upset by Arkansas

by Corey Adams
(Dickson, Tennessee )

Some people forgot about this matchup between Arkansas and Florida in The Swamp, but Gator fans will not forget this one. And they will not forget Dennis Johnson. Who is Dennis Johnson? He got 246 total yards in the game. Johnson became a key part in the game, mainly on special teams where he averaged 24.8 yards a return.

After Arkansas could not get anything going on the opening drive, Tim Tebow got the ball and started off with a 22 yard pass to Aaron Hernandez, but after a few plays, the Razorback defense put Tebow on the ground with a 8 yard sack. Florida kicker, Caleb Sturgis, missed a 37 yard FG. Arkansas got the ball back where Dennis Johnson would break a 42 yard run, which would be his longest in the game. But the Hogs couldn't get anything afterthat and gave the ball back to the Gators.

It was a defensive battle through the first quarter as neither team could get any points. The Razorback D came to play as they get pressure on Tebow and picked up a fumble. Start of the 2nd quarter, Arkansas score first with a 1yd rush by Broderick Green. Then, things got worse for Tim Tebow and the Gators. Tebow tries to run and gets hit and fumbles the ball. Arkansas recoveres. Florida did manage to get a FG in the quarter when Sturgis hits a 30 yarder to make it 7-3. Arkansas added another FG right before the half to make it 10-3.

Tebow and the Gators come out of the locker room looking to get some momentum going. Tebow makes plays when he has to as he completes passes to Hernandez. Arkansas's defense steps up again on 3rd down and sacks Tebow for his 4th sack of the game. Sturgis hits a career long, 51 yard FG to make it 10-6.

In the 3rd, Chris Rainey fumbles, making it their 4th turnover of the game. After an Arkansas missed FG, Florida fans get some hope as Tebow finds a wide open Deonte Thompson for a 77 yd TD and puts the Gators up by 3. Arkansas get the ball back and pounds it with Dennis Johnson for a 32 and 14 yd gains. They settle for a FG to tie it up at 13.

Seems like this game is going to be battle to the end. After a FLA punt, QB Ryan Mallett passes to Greg Childs for a 75 yd touchdown. Florida answers back on their next drive as Jeffery Demps runs it in from 10 yards out. Arkansas takes the ball back and moves down the field, but Alex Tejada misses a crucial FG. Flordia has a huge opportunity to win this game. With the ball in Tim Tebow's hands, there is no one better. Tebow makes key throws and runs to set up a game-winning FG for Florida.

Caleb Sturgis nails the 27 yarder to give the Gators the win, 20-23.
Passing:
Tebow- 17/26, 255 yds, TD
Mallett- 12/27, 224 yds, TD
Rushing:
Tebow- 27 CAR, 69 yds
Demps- 9 CAR, 54 yds, TD
D.Johnson- 14 CAR, 107 yds
Recieving:
Hernandez- 7 REC, 92 yds
Childs- 4 REC, 135 yds

Stats of the game: FLA- 4 Turnovers
Tebow- sacked 6 times.



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