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Coach Urban Meyer said Sunday that QB Tim Tebow has no chemistry issues with his wide receivers but is "very frustrated," as well as the offense, with recent performances. 

Tebow endured the worst passing night of his career in a 29-19 win at Mississippi State, completing 12-of-27 passes for 127 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions. This was the second time Tebow had thrown two interceptions in a game. The Gators called several running plays for Tebow in the red zone, where Florida converted just 1-of-6 chances for touchdowns.

"He’s used to playing at a high level," Meyer said. "A lot of guys are frustrated. You
go and win by 10 points on the road, it’s the same old song and dance
from a couple of weeks. Guys want to play better.”

Tebow, who didn't speak to the media after the game for the first time when healthy, completed one pass to a wide receiver not named Riley Cooper or Aaron Hernandez, who's a tight end but main option. Deonte Thompson caught a 19-yard pass in the first half. Numerous Gators had their hands in the air after plays where they seemed wide open, clearly frustrated.

Meyer said the Gators must do a better job spreading the ball around, but MSU Coach Dan Mullen flustered the offense with a "cover zero" defense.

“The good thing about Tim is he’s a very mature grown man," Meyer said. "As ironic as it is, last week was one of our best weeks throwing the ball in practice. Receivers are healthy, Frankie Hammond made a good push. It’s all tied together, all 11 guys. We just have to do a little better job.” 

One thing is clear: Not many in the locker room is trying to change Tebow.

"I want Tebow to play exactly like he plays," center Maurkice Pouncey said. "He’s a Heisman quarterback. He's still in the race now, who wants to change what a Heisman quarterback does

INJURY UPDATE: RB Jeff Demps (sprained neck) should return to practices by Tuesday or Wednesday. DT Brandon Antwine re-injured his shoulder (guy can't catch a break), but Meyer said the Gators should get "some defensive lineman" back for the Georgia game, along with LB Brandon Spikes (groin). "Some" linemen could mean any of these three guys — Lawrence Marsh (ankle), Jaye Howard (knee), Justin Trattou (bicep).

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Congrats on your hard-earned 29-19 win over Mississippi State University. Your defense was stingy in spite of the final score; allowing the offense to score only six points is nothing to sneeze at. And beating Dan Mullen had to have been a bittersweet moment for several players involved.

However, I was not pleased by the display that unfolded in front in my eyes before the beginning of the game, captured by the ESPN cameras for all the world to see. For the second time in a season, you stomped on the visiting team’s logo and nearly instigated an altercation that had to be split up by the referees. I felt deeply conflicted inside.

I know a lot of people don’t consider this a big deal, but think about it for a minute. A school that plays in a league that prides itself on sportsmanship, a school with a coach that goes out of his way to post ads insisting that fans behave classy, a school with an athletic director that prides himself on running sports teams that don’t break the rules, should not resort to something this…this “bush league”.
You say the media has it in for you? Don’t give them any more fodder to work with than you have to. Settle things on the field. You’re better than this.

Yes, I want to cheer a UF team that wins games. But I also want to cheer a UF team that does things the right way. If you believe karma exists, consider the two interception returns for touchdowns a warning.

Now go out there, win out, and make me proud…on both counts.

Sincerely,
Vince

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Florida Gator quarterback Tim Tebow rushes for a touchdown against Mississippi State defensive back Johnthan Banks during the second quarter of their game in Starkville, Miss.  (Gary W. Green/Orlando Sentinel) To see more pictures from the game, click here.

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Keep Florida from outside the 20-yard line, they are unstoppable. From midfield, they might be the best team in the country.

Put them in the red zone, they are irresponsible. Momentum just melts away.

After converting two of their last 15 red-zone attempts into touchdowns, Coach Urban Meyer said his staff is going to evaluate "everything" about the offense beginning on the plane ride home.

That's probably a good idea now that the Gators are 7-of-26 from the red zone in SEC play. After one of his worst games as a Gator, Tebow, fresh off two interceptions, didn't address the media. A healthy Tebow always addresses the media post game.

Meyer massaged his message when talking to his team, stressing Florida’s 7-0 record to keep the spirits up.

 “I know people are going to take shots,” Meyer said. “I think we’re pressing like crazy. I think the head coach wants to score so damn bad. We’re not used to this.”

Couple of positives here: 

Florida won in Starkville for the first time since 1985.
Gators are 7-0 for the first time since 1996.
At times, the running game looked dominant with 172 yards in the first half.
And the only thing that didn’t make Gators fans miss MSU Coach Dan Mullen, the former UF offensive coordinator, was that his offense was worse.

 But in the first half, Florida had a 1st-and-goal from the 1-yard line and called three straight Tebow rushes, all stuffs. Next time around, the Gators settled for another field goal after two Tebow incompletions and a helpless Tebow rush.

Just unpredictability all night from the Gators, who rushed Tebow 22 times for 88 yards to accompany his two interceptions on 12-of-22 passing for 127 yards.

Despite all the struggles, the Gators could have put away the game late in the second quarter once running back Chris Rainey blocked an MSU punt that Florida recovered at MSU’s 6-yard line.

Three downs later, Tebow makes one of the worst passes of his career, a lob off his back foot that was tipped by Corey Bloomfield and intercepted by Johnthan Banks in the final minute of the half for a 100-yard touchdown, the longest in MSU history.

Banks had as many touchdowns as the entire Gators offense.

Any momentum was sucked out of the Gators, who probably should have been up 20-3. Tebow finished with 88 rushing yards on 22 carries and 12-of-22 passing for 127 yards.

Once Rainey got his first touch in the red zone, he rushed for a 9-yard touchdown with 9:08 left in the fourth quarter. Gators running backs got two red-zone touches all game. 

"For years, I can't think of when we've never not lead the SEC or been in the top three (in red-zone production. And we're not," Meyer said. "We have to evaluate what we're doing."

Meyer said Tebow's not trying to do too much, but "we might be asking him to do too much."

Luckily the Gators have the bailout defense that didn’t give up an MSU offensive touchdown and sealed the win with its big-play ability. Linebacker Dustin Doe intercepted quarterback Tyson Lee’s tipped pass for a 26-yard touchdown and a 29-13 Gators lead with 8:25 left. Officials reviewed the touchdown after Doe, who was showboating into the end zone, got the ball stripped by an MSU defender. Whether the ball crossed the plane while Doe swung it behind his body in a dancing motion was questionable.

Without linebacker Brandon Spikes due to injury, the Gators recorded three interceptions on the night, resembling last year’s defense that had a knack for the big play.

“The best football for the Florida Gators is yet to come,” linebacker Ryan Stamper said. “We can’t make mistakes. But that’s not the type of defense we are.”

With Tebow shouldering the offensive load with his feet, Florida has turned into a field-goal team. Tebow’s moment of brilliance came on a 26-yard touchdown run in the first half to tie Herschel Walker for the career SEC touchdowns record with 49.

But even kicks aren’t sure bets for Florida. Kicker Caleb Sturgis, the hero last week with a game-winner against Arkansas, missed a 37-yarder and an extra-point attempt.

It's one thing if the offense has a couple of bad games. But if Tebow has lost some confidence, Florida needs to spend the rest of the week building him up if they are going to have success against Georgia.

INJURY UPDATE: Spikes (groin) is expected to return for Georgia; RB Jeff Demps has a possible neck sprain and walked to the team bus with a neck brace, but Meyer said there's no structural damage. CB Wondy Pierre-Louis pulled his hamstring.

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This is Sentinel correspondent Bobby Callovi bringing you updates from the Florida-Mississippi State game.

The Gators have come out uninspired after halftime. The offense has a quick three-and-out. Then, the defense lets up a 54-yard pass play to Christian Ducre, where he outran Dustin Doe then ran over Ahmad Black before he was finally brought down.

The defense is able to keep the Bulldogs out of the end zone. Instead, Derek DePasquale kicks a 31-yard field goal. 13-13

By this point, you know how it goes. The Gators drive the ball down into the red zone, then can't do anything and settle for a field goal. It's really getting pathetic. Also someone should tell Steve Addazio, in a short yardage situation, MSU coach Dan Mullen knows what he is going to call and knows how to stop it. Tebow left might need to change. 16-13 Gators

Chris Rainey is putting together quite the game, rushing for 70 yards on eight carries and blocking a punt. Yet he still isn't getting touches in the red zone.

The receivers seem to be getting upset with Tebow. After Tebow dumps the ball off to Aaron Hernandez for no gain, Brandon James through up his hands in frustration because it seemed he wanted Tebow to throw it his way. Earlier in the game, David Nelson seemed upset that Tebow threw it out of the end zone inside of trying to hit him in the back off the end zone.

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This is Sentinel correspondent Bobby Callovi bringing you updates from the Florida-Mississippi State game.

Dan Mullen calls for what looked to be a perfect fake punt, but with just David Nelson to beat, RB Robert Elliott trips over his own feet and falls short of the first down marker.

The worst timeout of the game award goes to Urban Meyer who called one right before Tebow dove ahead to pick up a first down on fourth and short only to call the exact same play with basically the same result. Ina tight game like this, the Gators could need those timeouts later.

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This is Sentinel correspondent Bobby Callovi bringing you updates from the Florida-Mississippi State game.

After converting on fourth and two, Tebow fakes a pitch and sprints
26-yard run for a touchdown, tying Herschel Walker as the SEC leader
for all-time rushing TDs. 10-3 Gators

For the thrid time today, the Gators fail to score in the red zone again. They are 0 for 3 so far when they have been inside the Bulldogs' 20-yard line. Sturgis hits a 21-yarder. 13-3 Gators

Florida is in control of the game and the defense is playing well, but it needs to be better in the red zone. The Gators will not win a national championship if they can't score in the red zone.

The Bulldogs' last three drive have all been three-and-out. The Gators' defense is showing they are still a great unit without  Brandon Spikes.

Chris Rainey comes free off the edge and blocks his second punt of the season, starting the offense in the red zone. A score here not only could put this game away, but it could help with its confidence in the red zone for the rest of the game.

So much for putting this one away. Instead Tebow lobs a pass off his back foot to Deonte Thompson that is tipped by Corey Broomfield, intercepted by Johnthan Banks and returned for a touchdown. 13-10 Gators

That was a very poor decision by Tebow to throw that ball, and it not only let the Bulldogs back in it, but it got the crowd into the game. Those cowbells can really make this place loud.

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STARKVILLE, Miss. — Just got done watching 'Bama look like the No. 7 team in the nation in a near-loss to Tennessee, which means if Florida puts up style points today, they will be the AP's No. 1 soon enough.

Florida finished warming up in white uniforms, and though LB Brandon Spikes (groin) is dressed, he didn't work out with the first team. I'm hearing he'll sit this one out in prepration for Georgia next week. DE Justin Trattou is in street clothes, and DTs Terron Sanders and Omar Hunter are working with the first team, which means DTs Jaye Howard and Lawrence Marsh are likely out too.

Davis Wade Stadium is obnoxious, in a good way. They ring those cowbells at every chance. The public announcer could tell the crowd it's cold outside and they would ring. Mississippi State is expected to set an attendance record tonight, which would be the third game this season that Florida was involved in an attendancce record.

I'm still waiting on a warm embrace between Dan Mullen and Urban Meyer/Tim Tebow. Former Gators assistant and now-MSU offensive line coach already gave some love to numerous Gators coaches.

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This is Sentinel correspondent Bobby Callovi bringing you first quarter updates from the Florida-Mississippi State game.

The Gators start the game on defense without MLB Brandon Spikes. Even without him, this defense is one of the best, and it showed on the third play of the game when Carlos Dunlap was able to get one of his paws on a pass and deflected it up for A.J. Jones to pick off, setting up the offense with great field position.

The offense broke out a new formation with an empty backfield and four players split out on one side, and one of the players in quads was RB Jeff Demps, who Tim Tebow threw two screens to on both plays out of the formation. But if the Gators are to do more than that out of it, they will need to change up how people line up because two players are on the line on the same side of the field, making one of them ineligible to go down field.

Coming off his game-winning kick against Arkansas, Caleb Sturgis gets his obligatory missed field goal out of the way earlier as he missed a 37-yarder after the offense stalled in the red zone.

This is the second straight week the Gators' opponent scored first with a 43-yard field goal by Mississippi State. 3-0 Bulldogs

Duke Lemmons is the the new Justin Trattou. Lemmons is on the field as tight end in the goal line package, which is what Trattou has been doing all season.

Again the Gators cannot get it in the end zone down inside the red zone. Offensive coordinator Steve Addazio showed no creativity and called Tebow runs on 2nd and goal from the one and 3rd and goal, and Tebow was stuffed on both. This time Sturgis is able to hit the chip-shot field goal. 3-3

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JACKSON, Miss. — We're about two hours outside of Starkville, where Dan Mullen is planning a way to fluster his old buddy Tim Tebow. Downtown Jackson's like a ghost town right now — where's the Johnny Cash magic? — but the cowbells of Davis-Wade Stadium should make up for it.

Our friends over at AccuScore forecasting predict Tim Tebow will throw for 212.5 yards and 2.2 touchdowns per game on the way to a 39-15 Gators win over the Bulldogs.

Jonathan Lee, a trusty AccuScore analyst, explains:

"Statistically, this game looks like a blowout as the Gators are winning 97% of simulations by 26 points on average.  Tim Tebow is projected for 210 yards passing and 2 touchdowns.  Tebow, Jeffrey Demps, and Chris Rainey are all projected for at least 50 yards each with at least 2 touchdowns on average.  The Florida defense is also averaging 4 sacks and 2 forced turnovers.  The big storyline is former Florida assistant Dan Mullen now leading Mississippi St. against his old team.  An upset will be difficult however.  Bulldog QB Tyson Lee is projected for fewer than 140 yards passing with more interceptions than touchdowns.  Even if Lee throws for at least 200 yards and a score, far better than his baseline projections, the Bulldogs’ winning percentage is still under 7%.

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No. 2 Florida at Mississippi State

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m., Davis-Wade Stadium

Broadcasts: TV – ESPN; Radio – 540 AM (WFLF); Online: www.gatorzone.com.

Weather: Partly cloudy, high 62, low 45

Tickets: Sold out. MSU ticket office 662-325-2600

Parking: $12 parking available at Zacharias Village, downtown and Coliseum Boulevard. Shuttles available downtown, Starkville Daily News and McArthur Hall.

Quick Slant

This game is about whether Florida’s offense can resurge after last week’s four-turnover, six-sack performance against Arkansas. Mississippi State Coach Dan Mullen, former Gators offensive coordinator, will use knowledge of Florida’s system to his advantage.

About Florida (6-0, 4-0 Southeastern Conference)

 UF is one of the country’s best rushing teams at 260 yards per game, but the sacrifice is QB Tim Tebow averaging 172 passing yards per game. Arkansas is the only team to record two touchdowns on a Gators defense that has held three teams to less than 100 yards passing. Florida's D is giving up 8.7 points per game, tops in the nation. Florida’s Nos. 2-4 receivers Deonte Thompson, David Nelson and Brandon James have combined for 20 catches for 299 yards.

About Mississippi State (3-4, 1-2 SEC)

MSU snapped a three-game losing streak with Saturday’s 27-6 win over Middle Tennessee State. The Bulldogs (3-4, 1-2 SEC) rely on the running attack fueled by Anthony Dixon, the school’s leading rusher eyeing his second 1,000-yard season. MSU is in the bottom half of the SEC in almost every defensive category, and its 18 turnovers are the most in the league.

What to watch

1.    The Gators played their two best games of the season – Kentucky and LSU — on the road. They should be comfortable Saturday. The Gators are riding an eight-game road winning dating back to 2007.

2.    Mississippi State has the closest thing to Percy Harvin, not Florida. Freshman Chad Bumphis is MSU’s best receiver and hybrid weapon.

3.    Expect Florida to speed up the offensive tempo after Arkansas wasn’t fooled by a methodical attack. The Razorbacks consistently blitzed off the edge when Florida lined up five-wide with no backfield blocker.

4. Florida has a chance to go 3-0 in the SEC West for the first time since 1998. Surprising. But then again, Florida isn't playing Auburn this year.

5. Coaches say they want to get RB Emmanuel Moody more involved after last week's three-carry, 7-yard performance.

The Buzz

*Urban Meyer can become the first Gators coach since Galen Hall in 1985 to win in Starkville. 

*Florida's riding a 16-game winning streak, the  nation's best and easily the longest in school history.

*RB Jeff Demps averages 8.4 yards per carry, one of the best in the nation.

Injury report

Out: DE Justin Trattou (bicep), WR Carl Moore (back), CB Jeremy Brown (back), CB Moses Jenkins (concussion), OT Matt Patchan (torn ACL), WR Andre Debose (hamstring surgery),  WR T.J. Lawrence (scoped knee)

Doubtful: DT Lawrence Marsh (ankle)

Questionable: LB Brandon Spikes (groin), DT Jaye Howard (bruised knee)

Probable: DE Jermaine Cunningham (groin)

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All-American linebacker Brandon Spikes is "50-50" for Saturday's game at Mississippi State because of a groin injury, coach Urban Meyer said Thursday.

"He's 50-50, maybe a little better than that," Meyer said.

Spikes has been limited in practices since hurting his groin in the first quarter of last week's 23-20 win over Arkansas.

Spikes has also battled Achilles tendinitis pain all year. Injuries have limited the production of Spikes, who has 32 tackles and three sacks through six games.

If Spikes can't go, Ryan Stamper will replace him at middle linebacker.

The Gators also could miss up to three key defensive linemen. DE Justin Trattou (bicep tendon) will not play Saturday, while starting DTs Jaye Howard (bruised knee) and Lawrence Marsh (ankle) are doubtful. Marsh hasn't been a factor all year because of the ankle.

If Howard doesn't play, that leaves Omar Hunter, Terron Sanders, Troy Epps and Brandon Antwine at tackle.

When asked if the defensive line depth is a concern right now, Meyer said sarcastically "Ya think?"

*On offense: Seldom-used WR T.J. Lawrence, a redshirt freshman, will be out a couple of weeks after having his knee scoped for a meniscus injury.

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Let's get right to it.

1. Tim Tebow still No. 1 on Scripps Howard Heisman Trophy poll, but race tightens by Antonya English, St. Petersburg Times

Buzz: English points out that the Scripps poll has picked 17 of the last 21 winners correctly. But perhaps more importantly, can Tebow stave off Mark Ingram? 

2. SEC ref: 'I know I made a mistake' by Mike Fish, ESPN.com

Buzz: Official Marc Curles owns up to his mistake at Florida-Arkansas game, gets nasty messages from overboard SEC fans at home

3. Kicker Sturgis gives Florida Gators a scoring option by Kyle Maistri, Florida Times-Union

Buzz: Caleb Sturgis is crucial for second-half success while Florida hasn't been scoring TDs in red zone.

4. 3 SEC Heisman hopefuls meet in Tide-Vols showdown by John Zenor, AP

Buzz: Are Rolando McClain and Eric Berry really legitimate Heisman candidates? Berry's got one INT. Mark Ingram, yes.

5. Bulldogs' Lee mirrors Tebow as community-minded QB by Kyle Veazey, Jackson (Miss.) Clarion-Ledger

Buzz: Tyson Lee speaks to grade schoolers and wears faith on his sleeve.

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*LB Brandon Spikes (groin) watched the entire second half in street
clothes, and Coach Urban Meyer was unsure about Spikes’ recovery after
the game. Spikes limped off the field during the first quarter.
 
*Starting DT Jaye Howard (bruised knee) from Jones High School did not
suit up for Saturday’s game after injuring his knee last week against
LSU. Starting DT Lawrence Marsh (ankle) also missed his fourth game.

*DE Justin Trattou injured his shoulder Saturday. The severity of the injury is unknown.
 
KEY PLAY OF THE GAME: Caleb Sturgis’ 27-yard field goal was clutch, but even better was WR Riley Cooper’s 12-yard, falling-down catch on 3rd-and-10 in the final minutes. No catch, and the Gators are stuck on 4th-and-long from Arkansas’ 40. Cooper caught a ghost route while smothered by a defender and getting up from a foot slip.

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One’s first inclination is to breathe a massive sigh of relief after Caleb Sturgis’ 27-yarder sailed true through the uprights. Fact: Arkansas is pretty good. Fact: Florida had no right to win with a -4 turnover margin. Fact: The Gators’ final drive of the game was an example of what a championship-caliber teams do. Florida owns the 4th quarter. Tonight was no exception. Go ahead, breathe. This is another good win — even if our boys made it far more exciting than it needed to be.

It’s the equivalent of last year’s loss to Ole Miss, with a better outcome.

Clearly, Florida’s offense is still findings its identity. While two of the Gators’ 4 turnovers came in somewhat fluky fashion, the bottom line is the ball kept hitting the ground and white jerseys were routinely coming up with the leather. The difficult question is this: is this all we can expect out of the offense, which is generally competent when not turning over the ball, but hardly dominant? Or are we a play or two away from firing on all cylinders?

The corollary question begs asking… can this team win a championship in the same fashion as its 2006 counterpart? Maybe. But the season is played one game at a time.

Congratulations to the Arkansas Razorbacks for playing at a very high level and giving the Gators everything they could handle.

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I thought this quote by offensive tackle Carl Johnson kind of summarized the identity of this Gators team: 

"There will be no Tim Tebow promise this year." 

The Gators don't want to relive the Ole Miss loss, so they will fight and catch to avoid a repeat — and to hear Tebow clutch the podium in tears.

Now that's the optimist's view of this game. Urban Meyer was a little more blunt.

Now only is his offense not "on the same planet" as last year, but he's got to fix ball-control issues (four fumbles), red-zone efficiency (one touchdown in six tries) and a suddenly matador offensive line.

Eight of Florida's last 11 possessions resulted in a turnover, punt or a missed field goal.

“We’re not playing perfect football,” Meyer said. “But we’re feeding off each other a little bit.” 

So Saturday’s dance session on The Swamp field was one big exhale, knowing the ghost of Ole Miss had been exorcized with a thrilling 23-20 win over Arkansas. Tebow showed some theatrics and orchestrated a game-winning drive capped by a 27-yard Caleb Sturgis field goal with nine seconds left. But the essence of the win came from the depths of a team that showed its grit on a day when almost everything went wrong.

*Sturgis bounced back from an early field-goal miss with a booming 51-yarder and the game-winner to cap the Gators' methodical 14-play, 69-yard drive that began with 3:08 left.

*On the last drive, receiver Riley Cooper converted a huge 3rd-and-10 with a 12-yard catch to Arkansas’ 28-yard line. He fell on the play but immediately thought “better get up quick,” he said, because he knew the ball was coming to him. 

*Jermaine Cunningham had four tackles for a loss.

*Arkansas had plenty of chances, but kicker Alex Tejada missed two field goals – including a 38-yarder with 3:08 left, wide left. The Razorbacks drove downfield almost 60 yards before the miss.

The Gators entered the halftime locker room deflated, down 10-3 after one of the worst halves of the Meyer era. Eight of the Gators’ last 11 possessions resulted in a turnover, punt or missed field goal.

Tebow fumbled in the red zone on a botched handoff to Brandon James. Tebow fumbled at his own 31-yard line when hit in the arm by Zack Bequette, and the Razorbacks capitalized with a 1-yard rushing score by Broderick Green. Tight end Aaron Hernandez fumbled in the red zone. Chris Rainey carried on the fumble tradition in the third quarter when an Arkansas defender's foot knocked the ball out.

One atrocious half.  The defense had to compensate by holding Arkansas to 2-of-13 on third down.

“I was a little tired mentally by the way things were going,” linebacker Ryan Stamper said.

The last time Florida lost at least three fumbles was the 31-30 Ole Miss loss in September 2009. That game was also the last time an opposing team scored first – until Arkansas.

A response was necessary, but the Gators didn’t need to force anything. Some things came easily.
With 2:59 left in the third, Tebow connected on a 77-yard score with receiver Deonte Thompson, who didn’t have a safety within 20 yards of him. The Razorbacks collapsed on Hernandez and didn’t account for Thompson, who has battled injuries and stone hands all year.

The pass was Tebow’s longest for a touchdown and helped him break the SEC’s Danny Wuerffel record for total touchdowns with 123.

A questionable pass interference call on Arkansas cornerback Ramon Broadway in the end zone set up Jeff Demps’ 10-yard touchdown run with 7:27. Broadway appeared to be playing Thompson straight up.
Despite quarterback Ryan Mallett’s deep connections with Greg Childs, the Razorbacks managed one touchdown on four red-zone trips.

Last year’s Ole Miss would have scored more. And Florida probably would have given up more points.

“If we lost and how guys would have felt like pointing fingers, we don’t want to go through that again,” Stamper said.

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This is Sentinel correspondent Bobby Callovi bringing you fourth quarter updates from the Florida-Arkansas game.

It's unbelievable that Arkansas just converted on a third down and it is still in the game. Before that play, it was 0 for 10.

For
the second time today, Janoris Jenkins gets burnt by Greg Childs then
neither he nor Ahmad Black could bring him down before Childs gets in
the end zone for a touchdown. 20-13 Razorbacks

This one is really starting to feel like the Ole Miss game last year.

The Razorbacks are making it easy for the Gators, committing a pass interference penalty and unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

7:27- Jeff Demps finally makes an impact in this one, scoring on a 10-yard touchdown run. 20-20

Ryan Mallett is finally looking like he is in a rhythm, avoiding the rush and make nice throws to move his team down the field for a possible late-game score.

Alex Tejada will be the goat if Arkansas loses this one. He has now missed two short field goals, allowing a struggling UF offense to stay in this one. 

Demps has now rushed for 50 yards in the fourth quarter compared to just five the first three quarters.

It took Tebow nearly 57 minutes to look like a Heisman candidate, but he did it when it mattered most, on the Gators final possession to set up an easy field-goal attempt for Caleb Sturgis

:09- It is safe to say Caleb Sturgis has redeemed the field goal he missed in the first quarter by hitting a 27-yarder to put the Gators up 23-20

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This is Sentinel correspondent Bobby Callovi bringing you third quarter updates from the Florida-Arkansas game.

Looks like Tim Tebow will not have Riley Cooper this half as he was seen jogging back to the locker room soon after the second-half kickoff.

The bigger loss for the Gators is that of Brandon Spikes, who did not return to the field in the first half after limping off the field early. And now he has comes out in street clothes.

Caleb Sturgis drills a 51-yard field goal that could have been good from at least 10 more yards back. 10-6 Razorbacks.

Cooper is back and looks ready to take the field.

Arkansas continues to pressure Tebow and isn't allowing him to get comfortable in the pocket. Not only are the Gators not able to pass but they can't get the running game going either. This offense just looks bad.

Again just when it looks like the Gators are getting things going on offense, somebody fumbles it away. Chris Rainey looked to be taking a screen play for a big gain when it was kicked out of his arm by a defender he just made miss.

Alex Tejada blows his chance to put the Razorbacks back up by 7. UF defensive coordinator lost his headset amid his multiple side chest bumps with players coming off the field. This is another chance for the Gators to get things with momentum.

Just as I finish typing that, Arkansas' secondary seemed to forget to cover Deonte Thompson because there wasn't a defender within about 20 yards of him, allowing Tebow to hook up with him for a 77-yard touchdown pass. 13-10 Gators

Tejada doesn't miss it this time, tying the game at 13 with seven seconds left in the half. It looks like the fourth quarter will decide this one.

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This is Sentinel correspondent Bobby Callovi bringing you third quarter updates from the Florida-Arkansas game.

Looks like Tim Tebow will not have Riley Cooper this half as he was seen jogging back to the locker room soon after the second-half kickoff.

The bigger loss for the Gators is that of Brandon Spikes, who did not return to the field in the first half after limping off the field early. And now he has comes out in street clothes.

Caleb Sturgis drills a 51-yard field goal that could have been good from at least 10 more yards back. 10-6 Razorbacks.

Cooper is back and looks ready to take the field.

Arkansas continues to pressure Tebow and isn't allowing him to get comfortable in the pocket. Not only are the Gators not able to pass but they can't get the running game going either. This offense just looks bad.

Again just when it looks like the Gators are getting things going on offense, somebody fumbles it away. Chris Rainey looked to be taking a screen play for a big gain when it was kicked out of his arm by a defender he just made miss.

Alex Tejada blows his chance to put the Razorbacks back up by 7. UF defensive coordinator lost his headset amid his multiple side chest bumps with players coming off the field. This is another chance for the Gators to get things with momentum.

Just as I finish typing that, Arkansas' secondary seemed to forget to cover Deonte Thompson because there wasn't a defender within about 20 yards of him, allowing Tebow to hook up with him for a 77-yard touchdown pass. 13-10 Gators

Tejada doesn't miss it this time, tying the game at 13 with seven seconds left in the half. It looks like the fourth quarter will decide this one.

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Florida Gators football fans better hope Tim Tebow did this during halftime:

That first half against Arkansas was awful (down 10-3 at The Swamp). The team needs a swift kick in the shorts from their quarterback and leader. Stick 'em for himself and his backs and receivers wouldn't hurt, too.

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Tim Tebow,  Brandon Spikes, somebody needsto lay into this lethargic Gators in the halftime locker room. Maybe Tebow can recite his Promise, because this game just ain't promising right now.

It's so eerily similar to the Ole Miss game, even the opposing quarterback lighting up Florida is a high-profile transfer.  First Jevan Snead, then Ryan Mallett. The last time Florida lost three fumbles was — you guessed it — the Ole Miss game. The last time Florida didn't score first was — you guessed it — Ole Miss.

Arkansas is daring Florida to throw it, but Tim Tebow is either picking it up and running at the first sense of a pass rush or waiting in the pocket way too long without stepping up. He just doesn't look poised right now. My advice? Keep throwing it to Aaron Hernandez. He's the only guy who is making plays. CB Janoris Jenkins just experienced his worst half as a Gator, missing an easy interception because of the sun and getting burned by Greg Childs for a 46-yard gain.

Red-zone scoring? Atrocious. Florida now has 14 touchdowns on 28 red-zone appearances after going 0-for-4 in the first half.

I'm really curious to see how this team responds right now. I'm not seeing Spikes in the sidelines, by the way. Groin injury might be pretty bad.

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This is Sentinel correspondent Bobby Callovi bringing you second quarter updates from the Florida-Arkansas game.

14:57- The Gators' defense is unable to make up for the offense's woes and could not stop Broderick Green from pounding it in from a yard out. 7-0 Razorbacks

11:30- Tim Tebow scrambles for 11 yards to move the chains on a first down and shows the first signs of life, giving the crowd an enthusiastic fist pump and yell.

Tebow has gotten this crowd back into this game. On fourth and one, he runs right through a tackler and picks up another first down then just go nuts.

So much for that momentum. On the next play, Tebow let go of the ball before he put it in the stomach of Brandon James, causing another fumble and again the Razorbacks recover. This is how great teams lose to lesser opponents.

David Nelson decided to join Deonte Thompson and Riley Cooper in the dropped pass club.

Another fumble in the red zone for the Gators. This time it was Aaron Hernandez. If you are keeping track, the Gators are 0 for 3 in the red zone today.

Just got the some fun stat in for those thinking about a possible upset. The last time UF did not score first was last year against Ole Miss. Also, for another eerie similarity is both teams are led by a highly recruited quarterback who transferred schools after his freshman year.

1:40- The Gators are finally on the board after a 30-yard field goal by Caleb Sturgis. Although if you were watching Sturgis' reaction, you would think he missed it again because he dropped and shook his head with a look of disapproval on his face. 7-3 Razorbacks

Cornerback Janoris Jenkins gets fooled by a double move, allowing Ryan Mallett to connect on a deep ball to Greg Childs for a 46-yard pickup.

As time expires, Alex Tejada hits a 22-yard field goal to give the Razorbacks a 7-point lead heading into the halftime.

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Welcome to offense vs. defense. Featuring offensive displays of defense, the best offense being a good defense, playing off the defense, defending the offense, and defensive players acting offensively when the offending offenders talk more offensively about defense than offense.

Okay, no more tongue twisters. But Arkansas has an offense, and a running back that gashed Florida’s defense. However, the defense that made its name on big plays at the right times a year earlier has grown up and done the unthinkable, taking a good bit of press(ure) from Tim Tebow and Florida’s spread option offense. But surely Arkansas’ defense looks equally as promising as their offensive counterparts and can give Florida a game. Am I right, Jerry? Jerry?

Yeah, I couldn’t blame you if your smile is starting to fade a bit. Allowing the Matt Stafford and Knowshon Moreno-less Georgia Bulldogs to ring up one point for every week in a year and letting Alabama (which is playing like Alabama, but still…) put up almost as many points as Mallet’s and Michael Smith’s jersey numbers combined is not a good sign. And so far, Florida’s approach, which is a third cousin twice removed from Woody Hayes’ ways, hasn’t had the balance most fans are looking for. But the offense could open up. Maybe.

It’s certainly a positive sign that Florida is favored from every regular-season game on. And if we indeed meet up with Alabama, we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.

Even in spite of my offensive use of a cliche.

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This is Sentinel correspondent Bobby Callovi bringing you first quarter updates.

The Gators' defense looked up to the challenge of shutting down Arkansas' high-scoring offense, forcing a three-and-out. This could be a long day for QB Ryan Mallett if the Gators continue playing like that.

As for the UF offense, it looked good on its first couple of plays but again failed to get it in the end zone.

11:17- Caleb Sturgis misses a 37 yard field-goal attempt wide left. This is the second straight week he has missed a kick less than 40 yards.

Arkansas finally shows life on offense with Dennis Johnson breaking off a big run, and to make matters worse for UF's defense, Brandon Spikes limped off the field apparently holding his groin.

Coaches have said all week that James Wilson needs to play better, but getting blown off the line by a defensive linemen who makes a tackle for a loss, is probably not going to cut it.

Tim Tebow get sacked for the second time today, but that one should fall more on his shoulders than RT Marcus Gilbert's. Had Tebow moved up in the pocket he probably would have avoided it.

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It's a chilly low 50s inside The Swamp today, but that didn't stop Florida from a collective warm embrace two hours before kickoff.

As the Gators players entered the field in suits and ties, Coach Urban Meyer waited at midfield to hug every player. Of course, Tim Tebow walked in last (always a sucker for drama), and Meyer walked all the way back with his quarterback into the locker room.

Ah, quarterback-coach bonding.

Don't forget to keep up with us all day at Swamp Things and on twitter. I'll be updating all game at twitter.com/osgators. 

*Keep an eye on Florida's defensive tackle position. It's possible starters Lawrence Marsh (ankle) and Jaye Howard (bruised knee) will be sidelined, forcing Omar Hunter, Terron Sanders, Brandon Antwine and Troy Epps to control the the run up the middle. Ryan Mallett loves sitting in the pocket, so Florida will blitz early and often. 

*Tim Tebow is the leading Heisman Trophy candidate but is 97th in the country in passing through five games. Expect that to change today. If Tebow can't sink his teeth into Arkansas' questionable secondary, the Gators might be in trouble.