Phil Sandlin / AP

Florida quarterback Tim Tebow bows his head in dejection after Mississippi defeated No. 4 Florida 31-30 on Saturday.

Florida struggled on offense much like it has all season, and the defense wasn’t as good.

Dexter McCluster ran for 60 yards and a touchdown and had a 40-yarder from the “Wild Hog” formation made famous by Darren McFadden under Nutt at Arkansas.

Snead was 9-of-20 passing for 185 yards, not great numbers, but he made plays when the Rebels needed them. His biggest was an 86-yard touchdown pass to Shay Hodge that put the Rebels ahead 31-24 with 5:26 to play.

“This will be a turning point of our season,” Snead said.

Tebow brought the Gators back, driving them 78 yards in about 2 minutes, but the game-tying extra point was blocked by defensive lineman Kentrell Lockett. Meyer argued that Lockett illegally jumped over the offensive line, but the officials did not agree.

“When I crossed the line, I made up my mind I was going to get the block,” Lockett said.

Florida forced a punt and had one more chance, but Tebow couldn’t get it done.

He apologized, but Florida’s biggest problem was three turnovers and a miserable third quarter that might go down as the worst in the Meyer era.

Leading 17-7, Harvin fumbled on the second play of the third. Ole Miss turned it into a field goal. Tebow fumbled on the next play. Ole Miss turned it into a touchdown.

It got worse for the Gators, too.

McCluster busted through the line and scored to make it 24-17. Tebow led the Gators back for a game-tying touchdown, but then Hodge got loose in the secondary.

“It’s awful. Bad, bad stuff,” Meyer said. “We’ll find out what kind of team we are.”

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