Florida rallied to defeat No. 7 Texas 27-24 on Saturday in Austin, handing the Longhorns their second consecutive loss of the season. The Gators, now 5-2 overall and 3-2 in Southeastern Conference play, secured their first road victory against a top-10 opponent since 2012. The win came in the first career start for quarterback Tramell Jones Jr., who threw two touchdown passes to receiver Lacota Dippre.
Florida overcame a 17-3 deficit in the second quarter, with Jones’s first touchdown pass narrowing the Texas lead just before halftime. The Gators' comeback continued with a sustained 15-play, eight-minute drive capped by Jones’s second touchdown pass early in the third quarter. Later in the fourth quarter, running back Jadan Baugh scored an 11-yard touchdown to extend Florida’s lead. Texas responded with a touchdown on quarterback Arch Manning’s 9-yard pass to Cam Coleman, following a long reception that set up the score.
The Florida defense, previously ranked last in the SEC, played a critical role in the victory by limiting Texas to fewer than 300 yards of offense. They sacked Manning five times throughout the game, with Myles Graham’s sack in the closing moments forcing a fumble and ending Texas’s final possession. Florida’s defense notably tightened after the early stages, allowing just one first down over the Longhorns’ first three drives in the second half and containing key Texas receivers to prevent big plays.
Texas, now 4-2 overall and 1-2 in conference play, took an early lead with a punt return touchdown by Ryan Niblett in the second quarter, marking the third punt return touchdown of his career. However, head coach Steve Sarkisian expressed frustration with his team’s performance in the second half, citing their inability to convert on short-yardage situations and Florida’s effective ball control as key factors in their loss.
Florida’s first-year coach Jon Sumrall acknowledged the team’s resilience compared to recent weeks when the Gators had faltered in difficult moments. He emphasized the growth the team demonstrated in maintaining composure and fighting through adversity. Following the victory, some Florida players celebrated by performing the “Gator Chomp” and flashing an upside-down “hook’em horns” hand sign to their fans as they left the field.
Jones, who replaced the injured Aaron Philo at quarterback, described the win as a strong start rather than a season-defining moment, noting that the team still has more work ahead. The game marked a significant rebound for Florida after suffering two consecutive blowout losses following a 4-0 start to the season under Sumrall’s leadership.