Game Day: Florida vs Arkansas (Noon on ESPN2)

Saturday, November 4

Gainesville, Fla.

12 p.m.

Florida Gators

Arkansas

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Game Day: Florida vs Arkansas (Noon on ESPN2)

Saturday, November 4, 2023 | Football, Chris Harry

By: Chris Harry, Senior Writer

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Fan theme of the day: Wear Black!

Team theme of the day: Win the game!

No doubt, the scene will be a unique one Saturday afternoon when Florida (5-3, 3-2) takes on Arkansas (2-6, 0-5) in a Southeastern Conference game at Spurrier/Florida Field, what with the Gators donning black uniforms for the first time in program history. Football is a little late to the black-garb party, as every other UF sport has rolled out black uniforms at some point over the years. Coach Billy Napier picked this game – the annual "Saluting Those Who Serve" game that honors members of the armed forced, veterans and local first responders – as the time to debut the much-anticipated alternate football threads.

[Read senior writer Scott Carter's comprehensive "Opening Kickoff" setup here]

As a rule, student-athletes love black uniforms, for no other reasons than their wildly different. And cool. All things Gators – be it fans, players, coaches, administrators, grounds crew, the real ones in Lake Alice – will love them, at least for the day, if the home team can produce a victory over the Razorbacks to give the Florida a sixth win on the season and thus gain bowl eligibility. With five wins in the bank, on paper, the date against the Hogs looms as the best shot at Win No. 6, what with consecutive road dates on the horizon against three ranked opponents to wrap the season: Nov. 11 at No. 13 ranked LSU (6-2); Nov. 18 at No. 14 Missouri (7-1); Nov. 25 at home against No. 4 Florida State (8-0).

The Gators, obviously, have had their issues, especially in losses at Utah, Kentucky and last week against No. 1 Georgia, a trio of games they've been outscored a combined 100-45. That said, the Razorbacks are a mess, losers of six in a row – though five of them by a touchdown or less – and coming off a bye week when Coach Sam Pittman fired his offensive coordinator following a 7-3 boo-fest and home loss against Mississippi State. Out went Dan Enos and in came Kenny Guiton, who was elevated from his post as receivers coach.

Guiton, a former Ohio State quarterback, inherited an offense that ranks dead-last in the SEC (122^nd in the country) at 305.9 yards per game and next-to-last pass efficiency (105^th nationally) and 12^th in the conference (112^th in FBS) in rushing offense (just 109 ypg), despite the presence of senior, three-year starter and all-purpose quarterback KJ Jefferson (1,547 yards, 14 TDs passing; 200 yards, 1 TD rushing).

**Kenny Guiton** (right), who two weeks ago was a receivers coach, is now the Arkansas offensive coordinator.

Jefferson (and Guiton) will be looking at a Florida defense that surrendered 486 yards against Georgia last week, but the Hogs in no way resemble the Bulldogs. The UF defense currently checks in at sixth in the SEC (52^ndnationally), allowing 334.0 yards per game, but the unit has just four takeaways this season (2 fumbles, 2 interceptions), which is not just last in the league, but last in the country. Compounding matters: UF lost standout sophomore linebacker Shemar James last week to a season-ending knee injury.

UF quarterback Graham Mertz and his offense (sixth in SEC, 52^nd overall at 411.4 yards per game) will face an Arkansas defense more than capable of providing some problems. The Hogs check in fifth in the league and 32^nd overall, surrendering just 333.0 yards per game. The tailback tandem of Montrell Johnson Jr. (520 yards, 4 TD) and Trevor Etienne (449 yards, 3 TD) will test an Arkansas run defense that gives up just 131.6 yards per game, while wideout Eugene Wilson III (37 catches, 326 yards, 2 TD), who set a UF single-game freshman record with 11 receptions versus UGA, tests the Hogs' secondary (fourth SEC, 32^nd overall at 201.4 yards per game).

The game may not have big-time marquee billing, but the black, orange and blue combination will offer up a different kind of intrigue. At least for a while.

Kickoff is set for noon on ESPN2 with the crew of Roy Philpott on play-by-play, Roddy Jones providing analysis and Taylor McGregor working the sidelines. The Gators Sports Network from Learfield will air with pregame coverage beginning at 9 a.m. and eventually give way to the team of Sean Kelly, former UF quarterback and two-time SEC Player of the Year Shane Matthews with the color and sideline reporter Tate Casey for kickoff. For stations, click here.

The game will be replayed Tuesday at 2:30 a.m. and again Thursday at 10:30 p.m., both on SEC Network.

Finally, follow senior writer Scott Carter (@GatorsScott) for commentary and analysis throughout the game. FloridaGators.com will have complete post-game coverage from the game Saturday and follow-up content Sunday.