Five Takeaways: How Florida Pulled Off Upset vs. Texas

Florida found its answer in Austin. Behind a poised performance from first-time starter Tramell Jones Jr. and a stifling defense, the Gators rallied from a 14-point deficit on the road to secure a 27-24 upset of No. 7 Texas Saturday.

Florida (5-2, 3-2 SEC) ended its two-game losing streak with a performance that showcased its resilience and potential on both sides of the ball. Jones stepped up in his first start, the running game helped control the second half and the defense delivered a decisive stop to seal the victory.

Here are the five takeaways from the win in Austin.

1. Tramell Jones Jr. Rises to Occasion

With Aaron Philo sidelined due to a shoulder injury, Jones stepped into the starting role and helped lead Florida to one of its biggest wins of the season.

The sophomore completed 22 of 35 passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns while adding 41 yards on 10 carries. Lacota Dippre caught both touchdown passes, including a late first-half score that helped Florida cut Texas’ lead to 17-10.

Jones’ composure in critical moments stood out. Facing fourth-and-12 late in the second quarter, he found wide receiver Dallas Wilson for a 17-yard completion to extend the drive. The conversion kept Florida in position to score before halftime and gave the Gators a chance to carry momentum into the break.

The performance followed weeks of preparation after Jones did not initially win the starting job. Asked about staying engaged while waiting for his opportunity, Jones emphasized the importance of being prepared.

“No matter when my number was called, that’s what I did,” Jones said.

Florida coach Jon Sumrall praised Jones for remaining ready throughout the process.

“I could not be more proud of Tramell, firstly by staying the course,” Sumrall said. “He has kept battling, and he kept showing up, and when his number was called, he was ready to go lead us and play well and compete.”

2. Florida’s Ground Game Controls Second Half

Jones’ passing helped Florida erase its deficit, but the Gators’ ability to sustain drives after halftime was equally important.

Running back Jadan Baugh finished with 91 yards on 25 carries, including an 11-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter that extended Florida’s lead to 27-17. The Gators finished with 158 rushing yards and controlled possession for 38 minutes and 11 seconds.

Florida’s opening drive of the second half illustrated the effectiveness of its approach. The Gators marched 69 yards on 15 plays, using more than eight minutes before Jones found Dippre for the game-tying touchdown.

Florida followed that possession with another extended drive in the fourth quarter. Although the Gators settled for a 28-yard field goal, the 14-play series consumed more than six minutes and gave Florida its first lead of the afternoon.

The offense continued to lean on the running game as it looked to close out the upset. Baugh’s fourth-quarter touchdown capped another scoring drive, giving Florida a 10-point cushion with 6:22 remaining.

“I wish we would’ve scored one more time,” Baugh said. “Just like a statement.”

3. Florida’s Defense Comes Alive

After allowing 83 points across consecutive losses to Missouri and South Carolina, Florida’s defense entered Saturday needing a response. Against Texas, the Gators delivered. 

Florida held the Longhorns to 272 total yards and limited quarterback Arch Manning to 173 passing yards and one touchdown. The defense also recorded five sacks, consistently pressuring Manning and disrupting Texas’ passing game, while halting the run game with 11 tackles for loss.

The unit’s biggest contribution came in the closing minutes. After Texas cut Florida’s lead to 27-24, the Gators needed one more stop to preserve the lead..

Linebacker Myles Graham forced a fumble from Manning, and defensive lineman Kanye Clark recovered the ball at the Texas 39-yard line with 1:58 remaining to seal the victory.

“We still got a lot of things to clean up,” Graham said. “I’m really just proud about how we fight, we locked arms in the fourth quarter and we found a way to win.”

4. Gators Fight Back

Florida’s start in Austin offered little indication of the result to come.

Texas scored a touchdown on its opening possession, added a field goal after forcing a three-and-out and extended its lead to 17-3 with a 63-yard punt return touchdown from Ryan Niblett.

The Gators struggled to find their footing early, recording 43 yards of offense in the first quarter while committing four penalties for 40 yards.

But Florida responded before halftime, putting together a scoring drive in the final minute to cut the deficit to seven. The Gators opened the second half with a lengthy possession that tied the game at 17 before eventually taking the lead in the fourth quarter.

The comeback marked a shift from Florida’s previous two games, when the team struggled to respond as opponents pulled away.

“We played about as awful as we could in the first quarter, and we kept fighting,” Sumrall said. 

Jones echoed that sentiment when describing the team’s response after halftime.

“We stayed resilient,” Jones said. “We kept the energy up at halftime. We knew we made mistakes, and we finished in the second half – we closed it out.”

5. Gators Ride Momentum into Bye Week

Florida’s victory marked its first road win against an AP top-10 opponent since defeating No. 10 Florida State 37-26 in 2012. It also gives the Gators their second consecutive season with a win over a top-10 Texas team.

The result moved Florida to 5-2 overall and 3-2 in SEC play, providing a boost before its open week. The Gators will return to action Oct. 31 against No. 1 Georgia in Atlanta.

The upcoming matchup presents another opportunity to measure Florida’s progress. The Gators will have two weeks to prepare, address the mistakes that plagued their first quarter against Texas and build on the offensive and defensive execution that helped secure the upset.

For Jones, the victory showed that Florida can accomplish when all three phases contribute.

Still, Sumrall made clear that the win does not mean Florida has reached its potential.

“They knocked some punches on our chin and our jaw, and we responded and didn’t flinch. That’s a sign of growth,” Sumrall said. “We have a long way to go with this team, but there’s a lot to be said about our resiliency today.”

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