Rapid Reaction: Kyle Trask outduels Feleipe Franks as Florida dominates Arkansas
Even if you only count the first half of Saturday’s game, Kyle Trask did more than enough to add to his Heisman case.
The Florida quarterback passed for 5 touchdowns by halftime against Arkansas. He added a 6th TD pass after the break as the Gators rolled to a 63-35 victory.
Florida (5-1) moved the ball seemingly at will in the first half. Arkansas only stopped the No. 6 Gators from scoring on one drive in the first two quarters, and even that came after a missed facemask penalty that would have kept the drive alive.
Arkansas answered Trask’s first touchdown pass, a 9-yard toss to Trevon Grimes, but little else. The Hogs (3-4) responded with Feleipe Franks hitting Mike Woods in stride for a 47-yard score to even things at 7. That was the last time Arkansas didn’t trail.
Trask showed the country why he is consistently in conversations as the country’s best player. After a turnover on downs, he orchestrated touchdowns on the ensuing 4 drives to send Florida into the locker room up 35-14.
Trask finished the game 23-of-29 for 356 yards and 6 touchdowns. He now has 28 TDs in 6 games — an SEC record through the first 6 games of a season.
Arkansas came out of halftime ready to fight.
The Hogs came back from 13 down against Tennessee the week prior, so no one was ready to count them out even after a rough first half. When the Razorbacks scored on their first drive of the second half, a 12-yard run from Rakeem Boyd, the game seemed up for grabs.
Arkansas’ defense then came up with a stop and provide even more hope of a potential comeback. Then it was the Gators’ defense’s turn to come up clutch. They forced a 3-and-out to set up another scoring drive led by Trask and finished off at the goal line by running back Emory Jones.
The Gators added a scoop-and-score defensive TD to make it 56-21.
Franks hit Woods again for a long TD, this time Woods accounting for most of the 82 yards after the catch, to make it 56-28.
Jones threw a TD pass to Xavier Henderson to account for Florida’s final points.
The game marked Franks’ return to Gainesville. He finished 15-for-19 for 250 yards and 2 TDs.
Arkansas was also without coach Sam Pittman, who contracted COVID-19 earlier this week. In his place, defensive coordinator Barry Odom served as interim head coach.
Florida has a matchup with winless Vanderbilt next week. Arkansas is set to face LSU, though the Tigers postponed their game against Alabama this past weekend because of positive COVID-19 tests. The status of that game will be one to monitor heading into this week.
Florida is really putting it together. They are a serious threat to win it all.
Win what all? There’s no all this year. But I gotta admit, Trask is quite the leader, kudos to the Gators, convincing win tonight…congrats
Someone will win the national championship, and it will count just like all the other national championships.
Perhaps, I hope you’re right but with the overwhelming covid cancellations I don’t see it happening. Again, I hope you’re right tho
It’s been a crazy year, but when it comes to playing college football, I’ve said all along that they will get it figured out. Too much money involved to not give it every effort. Hopefully Trevor getting the virus and then his team losing will get all the other contenders attention and they will play it safe. No guarantees though. It’s now up to the players.
Just ignore him, that’s what puppies do when they’re jealous. They start yipping and yapping for attention…
So if there’s no championship this year, will we still say next year that Georgia hasn’t won a championship in 40 years?
It’s simple math, 2021 – 1980 = 41
I’ll smoke whatever you’re smoking G8rWest, seems like good stuff
The game is scheduled? There will be a National Championship game, who plays in the game is yet to be seen. Nonetheless, it will happen. I’ll take Florida’s chances over the uGa…
Slak the game maybe scheduled but doesn’t mean it will be played. Tgis pandemic has shown it can affect all sports and venues.
Honestly, we had been missing a truly dominant performance in offense thus far. Yes, plenty of yards and points but a lot of bad second halves with the offense stalling. This is the most complete performance thus far: controlled possession AND scored seemingly at will. Great win!
Yes. We’ve been going flat in the 2nd half, and it was good to see the guys play hard in the 2nd half this week. Nice step forward.
Yes great win for Florida. They look the part of East Champion. I don’t see anyone posing a threat to Florida until what will likely be Bama vs. Florida in the SECC game. Bama’s defense appears to be better than Florida’s right now, but I do see the world through crimson colored glasses so take that as you will.
Bama does have a better defense. Ours keeps getting better, but if we play Bama will score a lot of points. We have to score more!
Yes, it was nice to see the offense performing in all 4 quarters. More importantly, getting the running game going and amassing 208 yards rushing was key for a lot of those downfield passes.
I was really happy with this win. Gators controlled time of possession for almost 40 minutes and scored 63 points. Listen, IF they can do that to Bama, they can win. I’m not saying it’s going to be easy or a given, but the best defense Florida can have right now is keeping the other offense off the field while scoring points in bunches.
Truly amazing performance by the whole offensive unit. Great to see all these guys step up and keep the offense rolling without Pitts. Good luck to Arkansas the rest of the way.
Go Gators!
Nice win tonight, congrats
Thanks!
Thanks. It is good to hear a nice thing from a UGA fan.
Leg bumper is one of those rare finds: a rational, k owl edges or UGA fan.
That was Franks 3rd best performance in the Swamp, and his best, in Gainesville, versus an SEC opponent.
Cold.
Cold would be pointing out that those numbers would be Trask’s third worst as a starter in the Swamp.
Ouch. It was a little ridiculous for the writer to use the word duel.
Was great to see the offense stay crisp in the third quarter. Defense didn’t seem focused. Very inconsistent.
Don’t know what the problem was for Justin Shorter at Penn State, but he sure seems like another big physical mismatch for Florida.
Arkansas could beat LSU and should beat Missouri. They have some solid, smart football players. Just need more talent across the starting 22.
NashvilleGator, Florida beat Arkansas by 28 points and beat Missouri by 24 points! You had 3 weeks to get healthy and brought back some key guys back and Missouri was missing 3 OL men and other players as well. Arkansas isn’t going to beat Missouri! Missouri will end up having a better record at the end of the season!
Arkansas beat Miss state and Mississippi state beat lsu therefore Arkansas is better than lsu. See any problem with this logic truelefty?
How bad is it gonna sting when Barry Odom comes up there and spanks yall?
The idea is what we are seeing as of right now! See any improvements? Missouri has improved since that Tennessee game. That game was a wash due to COVID-19 hit some key players and the Bazelak wasn’t the starter. He didn’t get much reps due to injury that sidelined him all the way back to last game against Arkansas. He has improved and got first team reps and more reps and so forth. The OL men still missing some due to injury and lack of depth. That Georgia game was bad due to that OL is not set and using one that isn’t an OL men. I am still seeing Missouri will beat Arkansas this year. Missouri got a bye this week and I am not sure who been hit with the COVID-19 and if there is any more going to be out for this Saturday. Arkansas has been getting worst. Why is that? Missouri should be fine and schedule is much easier.
With that logic, Tenn beat Missouri by 3 scores, Arkansas beat Tennessee by 2 scores, so Arkansas should beat Missouri by 5 scores.
Are you 12?
You all just saw what a Barry Odom coached team looks like last night. Lots of dumb penalties, a team that looked unprepared to play in a big game, and no coaching answers to stem the momentum of the other team. Mizzou fans saw this play out for four years. He may be a great dc but he’s not ready for hc responsibilities.
I agreed!
I agree. Odom will make one of the best DCs in football but HBC not so much. Seems like having to concentrate on both sides of the ball he wasn’t able to adjust that awful no pressure Zone coverage that Trask was lighting up until way to late
Kyle Trask is top 2 Heisman contender
And ESPN I don’t care who your announcer thinks is the best boxer is out of your crap commentary crew is
Good thing the Aggies beat both of them.
Too bad Aggies will be at home watching Florida and Alabama compete for the SEC Championship.
Too bad gators will be at home watching the 12th man in the final four…
Deep breath… stings the nostrils
Lol so you’re calling A&M in the playoffs? I’d take that bet. Unfortunately unlike UF and other teams A&M doesn’t control their own destiny. If UF wins out A&M doesn’t make it. If Notre Dame wins out and only losses to Clemson in the ACC championship A&M doesn’t make it. It’s a lot harder for A&M to make it than UF. And even if they do there’s no way they’re beating Bama
Good win Gators
Please stop with this sportspeak nonsense. QB’s do not duel each other.
Alabama is gay
Thought that was obvious
That was a good old fashion butt Whoopin. I expected Trask to pick the defense apart but good grief our defense looked lost. First game all season they’ve been out of place multiple times. I started having Chad Morris flashback by the third quarter.
Arky missed Pittman more than you realize.
I think Odom having to take over the reigns hurt us a lot. He needs to be upstairs where he can focus on the defense and not the whole game.
I agree
89-73 Florida over Alabama in the SECC.
I have to same score only picking Bama.
Frank’s and Mond clearly showed Gators weakness on D. I like Trask but Bama’s D is going to make or break him. Heisman moment. Gators DB’s vs Bama gonna look like Gamecocks chasing Elijah Moore(Great little player).
I think Trask will be fine vs Bama the question is can Bama slow him down enough. Just like can UF slow down Bama enough. It’s going to be a high scoring game either way
Looking forward to the Heisman House commercials with Danny/Tim/Kyle. Maybe Spurrier could get in on the fun too.
Congrats to the Gators.
I know we haven’t played Bama so we have no right to make comparisons.
But I think the SECCG is gonna be a tremendous shootout that could go either way.
Who said our offense looked pedestrian without Kyle Pitts? That’s right, a stupid Georgia fan.
Pitts may be the best football player we have but the most indispensable player is the other Kyle
Why does Mullen insist on running Trask at all? If he gets hurt that will truly impact UFs nc hopes.
Emory Jones is not a running back
The Gators are for real; great win guys.
When Pit boss get his system/players in full swing, we are going to beat the Gators and many of you like a drum year in and year out. Get ready!!
Do not forget that Mizzou beat Arkansas last 5 games! This year will be no different.
Not so fast dgs0506, Mullen is still working to get his players in place as well.
after we fire bo peep and get korey foreman and Masson smith on campus… peeee you!!! Tick tack toe 3 ships in a reaux!
Lol Arkansas may be good but they won’t be that good
All this great win mumbo jumbo… they just beat Arkansas, who has had what 4 wins in the SEC in as many years?
Florida fans will have a reality check soon enough… little Nicky will bring them back to earth…
Peach bowl perhaps… per usual
Lol I am nervous for that LSU game this year
Might want to slow that talk down about Arkansas, it could come back to bite you real soon.
Very good chance Arkansas wins that game.
Fantasy doesn’t seem as crazy as Negan, but he’s just as irrational.
He’s LSUs version of Negan. Not quite as bad but just as dumb
One of the Missouri fans said he was our version of Wolfman. I thought that was hysterical.
Lol I like that one better