Mateer, Oklahoma defense smother No. 24 Florida in 23-7 SEC road win
Oklahoma rode a turnover-free offense and a stifling defensive effort to a 23-7 SEC victory over No. 24 Florida at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Saturday.
Oklahoma leaned on a turnover-free offense and a defense that held No. 24 Florida to 203 total yards, beating the Gators 23-7 in an SEC game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Saturday. Florida had 11 first downs, converted 2 of 9 third downs and went 0-for-2 on fourth down, while the Sooners protected the ball with zero turnovers.
John Mateer did the work through the air and on the ground for Oklahoma, completing 21 of 33 passes for 207 yards and two touchdowns and rushing 14 times for 56 yards. Rocky Beers was his most productive target with four catches for 72 yards. Kip Lewis recorded a sack and Owen Heinecke led the Sooners with 10 tackles.
Oklahoma led 3-0 after the first quarter and took a 13-7 edge into halftime, scoring 10 points in the second period while Florida answered with its only touchdown of the day. Neither team scored in the third, and the Sooners closed it out with 10 points in the fourth.
Florida's points came from Jadan Baugh, who carried eight times for 35 yards and a touchdown. Tramell Jones Jr. finished 10 of 22 for 133 yards and was intercepted twice, and Duke Clark caught four passes for 70 yards. Myles Graham made 15 tackles for the Gators, and Kofi Asare had a half-sack.
The Sooners finished with 351 total yards, 207 through the air and 144 on the ground, and converted 10 of 18 third downs while going 1-for-1 on fourth down. Florida ran for 70 yards on 25 attempts. Oklahoma was penalized nine times for 70 yards; Florida was flagged four times for 40.
Both teams are 5-4 after the game, and Florida, ranked No. 24 going in, drops a conference decision at home.