Florida quarterback Tramell Jones Jr. threw two touchdowns to Lacota Dippre in his first career start, Jadan Baugh scored a fourth-quarter touchdown and the Gators rallied to beat No. 7 Texas 27-24 Saturday
AUSTIN, Texas —
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Florida quarterback Tramell Jones Jr. threw two touchdowns to Lacota Dippre in his first career start, Jadan Baugh scored a fourth-quarter touchdown and the Gators rallied to beat No. 7 Texas 27-24 Saturday and hand the Longhorns their second consecutive loss.
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AUSTIN, TX – OCTOBER 17: Florida Gators running back Jadan Baugh #13 runs for a touchdown during the SEC football game between the Texas Longhorns and Florida Gators on October 17, 2026, at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Florida (5-2, 3-2 Southeastern Conference) had risen as high as No. 8 after a 4-0 start under first-year coach Jon Sumrall before consecutive blowout losses, but delivered what could be a season-saving victory.
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The Gators defense, ranked last the Southeastern Conference, shut down quarterback Arch Manning and the Longhorns offense, holding Texas (4-2, 1-2) under 300 yards. They sacked Manning five times and the last one by Myles Graham forced a fumble on Texas’ final possession.
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AUSTIN, TX – OCTOBER 17: Florida Gators quarterback Tramell Jones Jr. #9 screams to celebrate a first down run during the SEC football game between the Texas Longhorns and Florida Gators on October 17, 2026, at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Jones started in place of the injured Aaron Philo and after a slow start led a methodical Gators offense that rallied from a 17-3 deficit in the second quarter.
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AUSTIN, TX – OCTOBER 17: Florida Gators quarterback Tramell Jones Jr. #9 passes the ball during the SEC football game between the Texas Longhorns and Florida Gators on October 17, 2026, at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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His first touchdown pass cut the Texas lead to 17-10 with 18 seconds left in second quarter. The second capped a 15-play drive that chewed up eight minutes of the third.
A 28-yard field goal by Patrick Durkin gave Florida its first lead before Baugh broke outside for an 11-yard touchdown.
Texas quickly answered on Manning’s 9-yard touchdown pass to Cam Coleman. That score came after Manning avoided a sack on a fourth down and found Emmett Mosley V for 62 yards to set up the TD pass.
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AUSTIN, TX – OCTOBER 17: Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning #16 passes a touchdown during the SEC football game between the Texas Longhorns and Florida Gators on October 17, 2026, at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Texas led 17-3 in the second quarter after Ryan Niblett returned a punt 63 yards for a touchdown, the third of his career.
The Takeaway
Florida: The Gators had looked awful on defense the previous two games but the unit was excellent against Texas after the first two drives. They limited Texas’ big play receivers and allowed their opponents only one first down on the Longhorns’ first three drives of the second half as the Gators took the lead.
Texas: The Longhorns have lots of problems. Manning struggled for the fourth consecutive game. The defense, one of the best in the country, gave up scoring drives of 15 and 14 plays in the second half. And star edge rusher Colin Simmons left the game in the fourth with an apparent ankle injury.
Up next
Florida plays at No. 1 Georgia on Oct. 31.
Texas hosts No. 9 Mississippi on Oct. 24.