AUSTIN, Texas — Florida quarterback Tramell Jones Jr. threw two touchdown passes 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 and hand the Longhorns their second consecutive loss.
Florida 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 Saturday.
The Gators’ defense, ranked last in the SEC, shut down Texas quarterback Arch Manning and the Longhorns’ offense, holding Texas to under 300 yards.
Jones started in place of injured Aaron Philo, and after a slow start, he led a methodical Gators offense that rallied from a 17-3 deficit in the second quarter.
His first touchdown pass to Dippre cut the Texas lead to 17-10 with 18 seconds left in the second quarter. His second touchdown pass to Dippre capped a 15-play drive that chewed up eight minutes of the third quarter and tied the score.
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.
Texas led 17-3 in the second quarter after Ryan Niblett returned a punt 63 yards for a touchdown, the third of his career.
