Oklahoma beats Florida 23-7 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville on Saturday night, November 7, 2026, in a game the Sooners controlled from start to finish. Quarterback John Mateer threw two touchdown passes, the defense held Florida scoreless in the second half, and Oklahoma sealed the win with a 20-play touchdown drive that took nearly 13 minutes off the clock. The win came in the first game for Jason Witten as Oklahoma’s interim offensive coordinator, and it was the Sooners’ first-ever visit to The Swamp.
Table of Contents
Quick Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Final score | Oklahoma 23, No. 24 Florida 7 |
| Date | Saturday, November 7, 2026 |
| Stadium | Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville |
| Oklahoma record | 5-4 overall, 3-3 in SEC play |
| Florida record | 5-4 overall, 3-4 in SEC play |
| Quarterback | John Mateer, 21 of 33, 207 yards, 2 touchdowns |
| Total yards | Oklahoma 351, Florida 203 |
| Time of possession | Oklahoma 37:50, Florida 22:10 |
| Plays run | Oklahoma 73, Florida 47 |
| Sealing drive | 20 plays, 89 yards, 12:45 in the fourth quarter |
| Florida second half points | 0 |
| Oklahoma next game | Home against Ole Miss on November 14 |
| Florida next game | Home against Kentucky on November 14 |
Oklahoma Beats Florida 23-7 Behind Mateer’s Record-Setting Drive
Oklahoma never trailed on Saturday night. The Sooners scored the first 10 points of the game and took a 13-7 lead into halftime. Florida scored its only points on a diving 15-yard touchdown run by Jadan Baugh in the second quarter, and the Gators never scored again.
John Mateer led the Oklahoma offense with a calm and efficient performance. He completed 21 of 33 passes for 207 yards and two touchdowns without an interception, and he added a team-high 56 rushing yards on 14 carries. Oklahoma finished with 351 total yards, including 207 passing yards and 144 rushing yards, and ran 73 plays to Florida’s 47.
The defining moment of the game came in the fourth quarter. Oklahoma put together a 20-play, 89-yard touchdown drive that lasted 12 minutes and 45 seconds, mostly in the fourth quarter, to extend the lead to 20-7. A drive that long does more than add points. It keeps the other team’s offense off the field, wears down the defense, and leaves almost no time for a comeback. Tate Sandell had earlier kicked a field goal to make it 16-7, and safety Peyton Bowen intercepted a pass late to close out the win.
Jason Witten’s Debut as Offensive Coordinator
The biggest story around this game before kickoff was on the Oklahoma sideline. Jason Witten, the former Dallas Cowboys tight end and Pro Football Hall of Fame candidate, was calling plays for the first time as Oklahoma’s interim offensive coordinator. He took over the role this week after Ben Arbuckle was fired on Monday, only 10 weeks into his college coaching career.
Witten’s debut went about as well as it could have. Oklahoma put up 351 yards of total offense and 23 points, controlled the ball for nearly 38 minutes, and never let Florida’s offense find a rhythm. The 20-play touchdown drive in the fourth quarter was the kind of patient, physical football that Witten built his playing career on, and it showed a team that trusted its new play caller in the biggest moments of the game.
The win moved Oklahoma to 5-4 overall and 3-3 in SEC play, and the Sooners are now one win away from extending their bowl streak. Oklahoma hosts Ole Miss on Saturday, November 14, and a win there would lock up bowl eligibility with games still to play.
Florida’s Offense Went Quiet Again
Florida came into the game looking to turn the page after a difficult October, but the offense went quiet again. The Gators finished with only 203 yards of total offense, including just 70 rushing yards, and they were held scoreless in the first, third, and fourth quarters. Florida ran only 47 plays all night, and the offense could not stay on the field long enough to give its defense a rest.
The loss was Florida’s fourth in its last five games after starting the season 4-0. The Gators are now 5-4 overall and 3-4 in SEC play under first-year head coach Jon Sumrall, and they are still one win away from bowl eligibility with three regular-season games remaining. Florida will try to recover at home against Kentucky on November 14.
The home loss was also a historic one for the program. Oklahoma was making its first-ever visit to The Swamp, and Florida had never lost to a team making its first visit to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in 49 such games before Saturday night, according to OnlyGators. The stadium was sold out for the game, the 23rd straight home sellout for Florida, but the crowd watched the visitors control the game from the opening kickoff.
What the Result Means for Both Teams
For Oklahoma, the win is a step toward salvaging a season that has been up and down. The Sooners are 5-4, and the win over a ranked Florida team on the road gives them momentum heading into the final stretch. The offense looked organized and physical under Witten, and the defense held Florida to 203 yards. If that combination holds, Oklahoma can finish the season strongly.
For Florida, the loss raises harder questions. The Gators started 4-0 and have now lost four of five, and the offense has been the problem. Florida scored only 7 points at home against an Oklahoma team that had one of the worst offenses in the nation coming into the game, according to OnlyGators. The Gators still have three games left to find one more win for bowl eligibility, but the margin for error is gone. Texas beat Missouri 34-20 on Saturday as Arch Manning led a late comeback, Alabama beat LSU 31-13 behind three touchdown passes, and South Carolina beat Texas A and M 17-9 as LaNorris Sellers ran for the sealing touchdown. It was a big Saturday across the SEC, and Oklahoma made sure its result was one of the biggest.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Oklahoma beat Florida 23-7?
Oklahoma controlled the game with a balanced offense and a strong defense. John Mateer threw two touchdown passes, the Sooners outgained Florida 351-203, held the ball for nearly 38 minutes, and sealed the win with a 20-play, 89-yard touchdown drive that took 12 minutes and 45 seconds in the fourth quarter.
Who is Jason Witten and why was he calling plays for Oklahoma?
Jason Witten is a former Dallas Cowboys tight end who became Oklahoma’s interim offensive coordinator this week after Ben Arbuckle was fired on Monday. The Florida game was Witten’s debut as a college play caller, and Oklahoma won 23-7 in his first game in the role.
What happened to Florida’s offense against Oklahoma?
Florida managed only 203 yards of total offense and was held scoreless in the second half. The Gators scored their only points on a 15-yard touchdown run by Jadan Baugh in the second quarter and ran only 47 plays all night.
What is next for Oklahoma and Florida?
Oklahoma hosts Ole Miss on Saturday, November 14, and a win would extend the Sooners’ bowl streak. Florida hosts Kentucky on the same day, and the Gators need one more win from their final three games to reach bowl eligibility.
Sources
- News9: Oklahoma beats No. 24 Florida 23-7 as John Mateer throws 2 touchdowns
- USA Today Gators Wire: Florida’s offense goes quiet in home loss to Oklahoma in Week 10
- The Oklahoman: OU football dominates Florida as John Mateer, offense shine in Jason Witten’s OC debut
- OnlyGators: Florida takes listless loss to Oklahoma: Offense inept again as Gators drop fourth in five games
Final Thoughts
Oklahoma beats Florida 23-7 in its first-ever trip to The Swamp, leaving with a win few people expected. John Mateer played a clean and efficient game, the defense shut Florida out in the second half, and a 20-play touchdown drive in the fourth quarter showed a team that trusted its new offensive coordinator. Jason Witten could not have asked for a better debut. For Florida, the loss is the fourth in five games, and the offense that was supposed to carry the team has gone quiet at the worst possible time. The Gators still have three games to find one more win, but the road to a bowl game just got a lot harder.
