Red zone errors plague Florida in Knoxville, with the Gators losing 23-17 in overtime

The Florida Gators fell to 3-3 (1-2 SEC) on the 2024 season after suffering a heartbreaking 23-17 overtime loss to No. 8 Tennessee (5-1, 2-1 SEC) on Saturday night in Knoxville ) had suffered.

Redzone errors dogged Florida in week seven. In seven trips to the redzone (including OT), the Gators scored just 17 total points and left four possessions empty. In the first half alone, Florida had four trips to the redzone and only scored three points.

A bad 4th-and-1 play call, a special teams fumble and a fumble on 1st-and-goal from the one-yard line ended Florida's chances of winning in regulation.

Graham Mertz was injured after his 13-yard touchdown pass to Arlis Boardingham that extended Florida's lead to 10-0 with 7:18 left in the third quarter.

In the final seven possessions of the game with true freshman DJ Lagway under center, the Gators totaled just 68 yards. Florida missed Graham Mertz tonight. Florida shouldn't have been in a position where this matters, but still a significant loss.

Despite Tennessee's terrible red zone offense and 17 unanswered points, Florida had a chance to overtake Knoxville with a win after Lagway scored a 27-yard touchdown to senior receiver Chimere Dike. The Gators gave up a two-point conversion and went into overtime.

Florida started with the ball in overtime, but found itself behind the posts after just two plays. After a six-yard rush by Jadan Baugh, attempting to make a more manageable field goal, Trey Smack missed a 47-yard field goal, a death sentence under college football's overtime rules.

Tennessee marched right through the short field and scored one goal in five plays. A walk-off win for the Vols in Knoxville.

Florida's defense gave this team every chance to win the game in regulation time, but the offense couldn't hold its weight. The Gators forced two turnovers and held the No. 5 offense in college football to 312 yards. Florida's defensive front caused problems for UT quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who was sacked three times in the contest and threw for just 169 yards. The Gators held Tennessee to 3.3 yards per carry and forced eight tackles for loss.

You can't shoot yourself in the foot on the road in the SEC, and the Gators did that again and again Saturday night.

Florida faces Kentucky (3-3, 1-3 SEC) in the Swamp in Week 8 at 7:45 p.m. EST.