Florida Gators defeat Texas Longhorns 27-24

The Florida Gators secured a 27-24 victory over the No. 7 Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. This loss marks the second consecutive week of defeats for Texas, following a previous loss to Oklahoma, dropping the Longhorns to a 4-2 overall record and 1-2 in SEC conference play. This streak significantly impacts their playoff prospects.

Texas held an early 17-3 lead, fueled by a 63-yard punt return touchdown from Ryan Niblett and a rushing touchdown by Raleek Brown. However, the Longhorns surrendered 24 unanswered points to Florida. Texas quarterback Arch Manning struggled, completing 14 of 20 passes for 173 yards and one touchdown. The game was decided in the final two minutes when Manning was sacked and committed a “costly fumble,” allowing Florida to recover and run out the clock.

Florida’s offense was led by backup quarterback Tramell Jones Jr., who threw two touchdown passes to Lacota Dippre in his first career start, and running back Jadan Baugh, who recorded a decisive fourth-quarter touchdown run.

Following the defeat, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian stated that “everything is going to be evaluated,” hinting at potential changes to the offense and personnel. The game was also marked by a significant injury to Texas defensive end Colin Simmons, who was “carted off the field with a lower-body injury during the fourth quarter.”