AUSTIN, TX – In a highly anticipated Southeastern Conference (SEC) matchup, the No. 5 ranked Texas Longhorns delivered a commanding performance against the Florida Gators, securing a 49-17 victory at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers orchestrated a potent offensive display, throwing for an impressive 333 yards and five touchdowns in just over two quarters of play. The Longhorns’ explosive offense proved too much for a Florida team already facing challenges with injuries.
Ewers was remarkably efficient, completing 19 of 29 passes, and connected for touchdowns of 29, 22, 50, 32, and 34 yards. With Texas firmly in control at 42-0, Ewers exited the game after the opening drive of the second half.
The Gators, navigating the game with third-string quarterback Aidan Warner, a walk-on, due to injuries to freshman DJ Lagway, struggled to find their footing offensively. Florida finally put points on the board midway through the third quarter when Trey Smack kicked a 23-yard field goal, making the score 42-3. This field goal extended Florida’s impressive streak to 457 games without being shut out, an NCAA record dating back to 1988. Following a quick three-and-out by Texas’s backup quarterback Arch Manning, Warner led a 56-yard drive, culminating in a 2-yard touchdown run by freshman running back Jadan Baugh, bringing the score to 42-10.
Warner, a redshirt freshman transfer from Yale who stepped in for Lagway during the previous week’s game against No. 2 Georgia, completed 12 of 25 passes for 132 yards but also threw two interceptions. The Gators, hampered by injuries to several key offensive players, managed 329 total yards and turned the ball over three times. While Florida showed some resilience in the later stages of the game against Texas’s second-string defense, with Baugh and Ja’Kobi Jackson each scoring touchdowns, the outcome was already decided.
Texas’s offense was firing on all cylinders, averaging 8.8 yards per play and amassing 562 total yards. Ewers directed the offense to 450 of those yards before being relieved. Running back Jaydon Blue contributed 106 rushing yards on 16 carries, including aHighlight 60-yard touchdown run. Ewers’s five touchdown passes were spread among four different receivers, with Matthew Golden catching three passes for 64 yards and two touchdowns.
Texas started the game strong, driving to Florida’s 32-yard line on their opening possession, but missed a 51-yard field goal attempt. Florida’s initial drives ended in a punt and a fumble, allowing Texas to capitalize with scoring drives of 85 and 22 yards, establishing a 14-0 lead they would not relinquish.
Although Florida had an opportunity to score after falling behind by two touchdowns, Smack missed a 30-yard field goal. Following this, Texas scored touchdowns on four consecutive possessions, and five of the next six, taking a commanding 35-0 lead into halftime and maintaining control throughout the second half.
This game marked only the fourth encounter between Florida and Texas and the first since 1940 when Florida won 26-0 in Gainesville. With this victory, Texas now leads the all-time series 3-0-1 as they joined the SEC this season.
Aidan Warner, walk-on quarterback for the Florida Gators, faces pressure from the Texas Longhorns defense during Saturday's game.
Game Significance
For Florida fans, already bracing for a challenging November schedule against ranked opponents, an 0-2 start was a realistic expectation, especially with a third-string walk-on quarterback leading the offense on the road. The focus now shifts to hoping for improved player health as the Gators prepare for their upcoming home games.
Player Spotlight
The spotlight will undoubtedly be on DJ Lagway’s injury status and his potential availability for the upcoming games. His recovery will be crucial for the Gators’ offense moving forward.
Notable Statistic
The 32-point defeat represents Florida’s most significant loss since a 55-20 defeat to Oklahoma in the 2020 Cotton Bowl. It also marks their largest loss in SEC play since a 31-3 loss to Alabama in 2005. The halftime deficit of 35 points was the largest since the 1996 Fiesta Bowl national championship game against Nebraska, where they trailed 35-10 at halftime, a game Nebraska ultimately won 62-24.
Looking Ahead
Florida (4-5, 2-4) will return home on November 16th to face No. 14 LSU (6-2, 3-1) at 3:30 p.m. ET. LSU is coming off a high-stakes game against No. 11 Alabama. LSU has dominated the recent series against Florida, winning five straight and six of the last seven games since 2017.
