{"id":469531,"date":"2026-10-18T09:18:16","date_gmt":"2026-10-18T09:18:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/469531\/"},"modified":"2026-10-18T09:18:16","modified_gmt":"2026-10-18T09:18:16","slug":"the-good-bad-and-ugly-from-texas-longhorns-upset-loss-to-florida","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/469531\/","title":{"rendered":"The Good, Bad and Ugly From Texas Longhorns’ Upset Loss to Florida"},"content":{"rendered":"

Texas fans may have just witnessed one of the more embarrassing losses of the Steve Sarkisian era.<\/a><\/p>\n

For the second straight week, Texas watched a double-digit lead disappear in a 27-24 loss to Florida on Saturday afternoon in Austin. <\/p>\n

After leading Florida 17-3 early in the second quarter, the Longhorns seemed well-positioned to bounce back from their disappointing loss to the Sooners. Instead, they surrendered 24 unanswered points, falling to 4-2 and suffering consecutive losses for the first time since 2021.<\/p>\n

There were some positives, but the same problems that have been limiting Texas all season once again appeared on Saturday afternoon.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Good – Ryan Niblett\u2019s Special Teams Spark\"<\/p>\n

Sep 26, 2026; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Texas Longhorns kick returner Ryan Niblett runs against the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Randy Sartin-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

With Texas up 10-3, Ryan Niblett provided Texas\u2019 biggest play of the afternoon.<\/p>\n

Fielding a Florida punt, Niblett made the first defender miss before finding open space and racing for a 63-yard touchdown. It was the third punt-return touchdown of his career, tying the Texas record.<\/p>\n

His 17-yard return late in the fourth quarter also set Texas up near midfield, giving the Longhorns one final opportunity to complete their comeback.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, Arch Manning couldn\u2019t answer the call.<\/p>\n

The Bad – Arch Manning Can\u2019t Figure It Out\"Texas<\/p>\n

Oct 17, 2026; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning warms up before a game against the Florida Gators at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Scott Wachter-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

It was d\u00e9j\u00e0 vu in DKR.<\/p>\n

For the second straight week, Arch Manning had the opportunity to lead Texas to a late victory. <\/a>And for the second straight week, a costly turnover ended those hopes.<\/p>\n

Trailing 27\u201324 with just over two minutes remaining, Manning dropped back on second-and-8 before being sacked by Florida linebacker Myles Graham.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He lost the football and the Gators recovered, effectively ending Texas’ hopes of a comeback.<\/p>\n

A Florida team that had been dead last in the SEC in pass defense, allowing 268.67 passing yards a game, seemed like the perfect opportunity to let Manning air it out.<\/p>\n

Yet he finished just 14-of-20 passing for 173 yards and a touchdown, with 62 of those yards coming on a single fourth-down completion to Emmett Mosley V.<\/p>\n

Perhaps more concerning was his hesitation in the pocket.<\/p>\n

On one downfield attempt, Manning forced a deep ball into double coverage that was nearly intercepted, despite having acres of green grass ahead of him and an opportunity to pick up significant yardage with his legs.<\/p>\n

Sometimes, he simply made wrong decisions.<\/p>\n

Facing second-and-3 in the first quarter, Manning had an open Cam Coleman<\/a> who appeared positioned for a touchdown. Instead, he opted for the easy pass to Hollywood Smothers that still sailed over his head \u2014 a recurring theme for Manning on Saturday.<\/p>\n

The Ugly – Steve Sarkisian\u2019s Offensive Struggles Continue\"Texas<\/p>\n

Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian reacts during the second half against the Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl. Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

The Florida Gators had surrendered 83 points in the past two weeks.<\/p>\n

Against that same defense, Texas managed just 272 total yards and 17 offensive points.<\/p>\n

The Longhorns converted only two of their 10 third-down attempts, continuing a troubling trend.<\/a> Week after week, Texas\u2019 third-down conversion rate has plummeted, falling from 73.3% against Texas State to just 20% on Saturday.<\/p>\n

Its third-down conversion rate now stands at 22.2% in SEC games.<\/p>\n

Leading 17\u20133 in the second quarter, the Longhorns had a chance for a fourth-and-1 conversion. Seems like a good opportunity to run a sneak with their 6-foot-4, 222-pound quarterback.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Nope. Steve Sarkisian called a handoff to Hollywood Smothers out of shotgun that ends in a one-yard loss. Florida scored a touchdown on the following drive and all of a sudden, it was a one-score game.<\/p>\n

Texas went seven consecutive possessions without scoring after its second offensive drive. The Longhorns had just two possessions in the third quarter. Both ended in three-and-outs.<\/p>\n

The defense wasn’t without blame, either, surrendering eight third-down conversions on 11 attempts in the second half.<\/p>\n

But for a team with this much offensive talent, the continued inability to sustain drives is becoming increasingly difficult to overlook.<\/p>\n

And with another SEC loss on the record, Sarkisian is running out of time to find the answers.<\/p>\n

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