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The Florida Gators (5-2, 3-2 SEC) bounced back from two straight losses in a big way, defeating the No. 7 Texas Longhorns (4-2, 1-2 SEC) 27-24 at Darrell K Royal— Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday. Florida scored 24 unanswered points to get control of this game, and the Texas offense wasn’t able to keep up with the surge from Florida’s offense. This was Florida’s first win on the road against a top 10 team since a 37-26 win against No. 10 Florida State on November 24, 2012.
IT WAS OVER WHEN: Florida gave up a 62-yard completion on fourth down, allowing Texas to score a couple plays later and make it 27-24. After Florida went three-and-out, it looked like Texas was gaining control of the game once again. Florida’s defense, however, had other plans. On second and eight, from their own 48-yard line, Texas senior quarterback Arch Manning was sacked by Florida sophomore linebacker Myles Graham. Manning fumbled the ball, and it was recovered by Florida senior STAR Kanye Clark. This was one of many big plays the Florida defense made in this game, and this last one proved to be too much for the Longhorns offense, who struggled for much of the game, to overcome. While the defense has struggled for most of the season, this game was a statement performance from the unit.
THEY STOLE THE SHOW: Outside of the first two drives of the game, the Florida defense stole the show in this game. After going down 17-3, the defense was able to keep the Longhorns offense out of the end zone until late in the game, and it allowed Florida’s offense to generate rhythm. Sophomore quarterback Tramell Jones Jr. settled into the game late in the first half, and he was able to make the plays Florida needed him to make, and he didn’t turn the ball over. His ability to help manage the game in the second half was crucial for Florida to get back in the win column. The pass rush was also able to get to Manning, and it allowed the cornerbacks to have less pressure on them throughout the entirety of the game.
THESE STATS DON’T LIE: Florida’s defense was dominant for the majority of the game. They had five sacks, and sophomore EDGE LJ McCray led the team with one and a half sacks. Graham recorded a sack, and senior defensive lineman Brendan Bett, sophomore safety Lagonza Hayward, sophomore linebacker Ty Jackson, sophomore cornerback Ben Hanks III and senior defensive lineman DK Kalu each recorded half a sack. Offensively, Tramell Jones Jr. went 22/35 for 155 yards and two touchdowns. Both touchdowns went to senior tight end Lacota Dippre, which were his two catches in the game for 15 total yards. Junior running back Jadan Baugh had his highest rushing output since the Ole Miss game, recording 91 yards and a touchdown.
AREA FOR IMPROVEMENT: For most of this game, Florida’s defense was able to contain Texas senior quarterback Arch Manning and their passing attack. After the first two drives resulting in scores for the Longhorns, the defense was able to settle into this game. The defense came up with a stop on fourth and one late in the first half, as Jackson stopped Longhorns senior running back Hollywood Smothers to give Florida’s offense a much-needed jolt of energy. Florida’s defense made big plays when they needed to, and they were able to hold the Longhorns to just seven points in the second half. Florida’s defense held Texas to 17 points, with one of the Longhorns’ touchdowns being on special teams, and this was the units lowest point total allowed to a Power Four team. Multiple fourth-down stops and a turnover were crucial for Florida to win this game.
WHAT A PLAY: The play of the game is the one that secured the win for Florida. On third and seven, Florida just needed a first down to secure its first road win against a top 10 team in over a decade. On the play, where it looked like Jones Jr. maybe shouldn’t have kept the ball, he kept it and eluded multiple Texas defenders to race to the first down marker and gain nine yards and clinch a much-needed victory for Florida. He had many impactful runs in this game, but this was a much-needed play for Florida to not have to allow its defense to go back on the field.
UP NEXT: Florida has a much-needed bye week coming up after playing seven straight games to open the season. Coming up out of the bye week, Florida faces the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs in Atlanta. They will look to secure back-to-back top-10 wins after losing two straight games. This will be the first meeting between the teams outside of Jacksonville since 1995. Georgia has won the last five meetings between the teams, and they have won eight of the previous nine meetings.
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I live in NE Georgia and married into a House divided and we have Season tickets in Athens and was there Saturday when Auburn beat Georgia. Because of the success of Bryon Brown (Auburn QB) had with his legs, he wore out the Georgia Dline and I believe that Trammel can do the same. Who knows what happens over the next 10 days to determine the starter for the "Largest Indoor Cocktail Party", but because of the success Auburn had with a running QB, if it were up to me, I would at the very least have both Jones and Philo ready (if Philo is healthy) and pull the old Spurrier job of playing both early and whoever has the hot hand, let him finish. Either that or I would just end the suspense and start Jones. Georgia is very beatable and if our D-line shows up like they did against Texas, they will handle Stockton just like Arch. Go Gators.