Oklahoma paired a methodical offense with a strong defensive performance to defeat No. 25 Florida 23-7 in Gainesville on Saturday night, giving Jason Witten a victory in his first game directing the Sooners' attack. Quarterback John Mateer passed for two touchdowns as Oklahoma improved to 5-4 overall and 3-3 in Southeastern Conference play.
Witten took over as interim offensive coordinator after Oklahoma fired Ben Arbuckle. The former Dallas Cowboys tight end was coaching high school football in suburban Texas last year. Sooners coach Brent Venables praised Witten's enthusiasm for the assignment and his belief in the offense's potential, then credited the team for a complete performance and its control of the line of scrimmage.
The Sooners produced only one gain of more than 20 yards, but their decisive possession demonstrated their efficiency. Oklahoma covered 89 yards in 20 plays, converting five third downs and consuming 12 minutes, 45 seconds. Mateer's short touchdown pass to Isaiah Sategna III finished the drive and left Florida needing a late comeback with fewer than five minutes remaining.
Mateer completed 21 of 33 passes for 214 yards and added 56 rushing yards. Florida managed just 203 yards of offense, with Tramell Jones Jr. completing 10 of 22 throws for 133 yards. Of that passing total, 34 yards came on the final possession as Oklahoma allowed room underneath. The Gators fell to 5-4 overall and 3-4 in conference play.
Oklahoma scored on both of its opening possessions. A 41-yard completion from Mateer to tight end Rocky Beers helped set up a field goal. On the next scoring drive, the Sooners converted fourth-and-1 at Florida's 46 before Mateer faked a handoff and a reverse to Sategna, then flipped a 3-yard touchdown pass to an uncovered Hayden Hansen for a 10-0 advantage.
Florida answered after Bailey Stockton's 31-yard punt return. Jadan Baugh scored on a 15-yard run, reaching toward the pylon on a play initially ruled out of bounds. Stockton's return was the Gators' longest play of the opening half.
The Gators threatened again in the third quarter after a 33-yard pass to Duke Clark, their longest gain from scrimmage. Trailing 13-7 with 6:27 left in the period, coach Jon Sumrall opted to attempt fourth-and-3 from Oklahoma's 17. Jones threw across the field toward an open Eric Singleton Jr., but Courtland Guillory intercepted the pass in the end zone.
After Oklahoma's lengthy touchdown drive, Florida turned the ball over on downs, with Jones taking his third fourth-down sack. The result ended the Gators' run of 48 consecutive home victories against first-time visitors to the Swamp. The programs' previous meetings had all been in bowl games, including Florida's national championship victory against Oklahoma in 2008.
