Two days after Florida assured Billy Napier the 2025 season, the Gators suffered one of their worst losses in the 21st century, losing 49-17 to No.5 Texas inside Darrel K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. The 32-point margin of defeat is the most since Florida’s 42-7 loss to Georgia in 2017.
The Gators were outgained 562 to 329 in the contest, dropping to 4-5 (2-5 SEC) through 11 weeks of the 2024 season.
Florida football extended their FBS leading active scoring streak to 457 games with a 23-yard field goal from kicker Trey Smack in the middle of the third quarter, one of the few positives from Saturday’s beatdown.
The Longhorns found the scoreboard with 3:43 remaining in the first quarter and never looked back, scoring another touchdown just over 30 seconds later to extend their lead to 14 points.
It’s no secret that the Gators laundry list of injuries was going to play a factor against a top five team on the road, but Florida was dominated in all three phases of the game between special teams miscues, chunk plays allowed, and quarterback struggles.
PWO walk on QB Aidan Warner received his first collegiate start against No.5 Texas with quarterbacks Graham Mertz and DJ Lagway out for the contest. Warner completed 12 of 25 passes for 132 yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions. Florida never opted to replace Warner with scholarship redshirt junior quarterback Clay Millen, who has experience in division one football. While it would not have changed the outcome, it would have been nice to see other options at quarterback in a blowout game. If nothing else, see what you have for the rest of the season.
Florida’s only reliable receiving threat in the contest was senior Chimere Dike, who hauled in 95 yards on five catches, accounting for 72% of Warner’s passing yards. The Gators were out receivers Eugene Wilson and Elijhah Badger in week 11.
Florida’s running game was solid throughout the game behind strong efforts from Jadan Baugh and Ja’Kobi Jackson, who combined for 38 carries, 204 yards, and two touchdowns, averaging 5.4 yards per carry. However, Florida was behind 35-0 at halftime and no had chance of mounting a comeback without a passing game.
Texas’ offense got whatever they wanted vs Florida’s defense, who had significantly improved in recent weeks. Longhorn QB Quinn Ewers was able to sit in a clean pocket and fire to open receivers for the majority of the game, completing 19 of 27 passes for 333 yards and five touchdowns, the most in a single game in his collegiate career.
Florida is set to face No.15 LSU next week inside The Swamp.