Remembering Arkansas's 35-yard drive to earn first victory in the Swamp.
![Arkansas Razorbacks defensive back Jaylon Braxton (11) breaks up a pass intended Florida Gators wide receiver Kahleil Jackson (22) at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 4, 2023 in the second half. Arkansas defeated Florida 39-36 in over-time. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3304,h_1858,x_0,y_650/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images%2FImagnImages%2Fmmsport%2F218%2F01j3nfh8fez05xm2ae7n.jpg "Arkansas Razorbacks defensive back Jaylon Braxton (11) breaks up a pass intended Florida Gators wide receiver Kahleil Jackson (22) at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 4, 2023 in the second half. Arkansas defeated Florida 39-36 in over-time. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]")
The 2023-24 season was a disaster by nearly every measure. Arkansas's offense was stagnant partly due to the unimaginative play calling from retread offensive coordinator Dan Enos. The offensive line was uncharacteristically bad for a Sam Pittman team. It was also the first time Arkansas hadn't been invited to a bowl game since Pittman took over the program.
But one shiny silver lining pops out from last season. The Razorbacks went into the Swamp and beat Florida for the first time. It was the first game after Pittman let Enos go and the first game called by receivers coach Kenny Guiton. Arkansas opened up with a seven-play, 75-yard drive for a touchdown.
On the next play from scrimmage, freshman corner Jaylon Braxton stripped the ball from Florida's Ricky Pearson and returned it for a touchdown.
Jaylon Braxton strips it from Ricky Pearsall and it’s 14-0 Arkansas early. pic.twitter.com/N82ViFEb1O
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) November 4, 2023
However, the 14-0 advantage didn't last long. The Gators scored on back-to-back drives before the end of the first quarter. The game was back and forth until the end of regulation, where they finished tied 33-33. Florida scored first with a field goal after failing to make a first down.
The Hogs started their overtime period with a holding penalty, pushing them back 10 yards and essentially forcing them to execute a 35-yard drive. Arkansas did it in three plays.
On the first play after the penalty, quarterback KJ Jefferson powered through the middle of the Gator's defensive, lowering his shoulder to pick up the first down. Next, Raheim "Rocket" Sanders had his feet knocked out from underneath him but managed to stay off the ground. He regained his stability and rushed to the right side of the field for a second consecutive first-down run. Finally, on the 4-yard line, KJ Jefferson found Tyrone Broden in the back of the end zone to capture the victory.