GAINESVILLE — Florida’s 29-21 must-win against Texas was the complete performance the Gators (2-3, 1-1 SEC) needed and had failed to produce during a disappointing September. Coach Billy Napier’s team will need to build on the effort if he’s to keep his job, but Saturday’s performance was a essential step.
Here are five things learned as UF sent home Texas (3-2, 0-1) with a loss during its first trip to Gainesville since 1940.
Napier and the Gators need to summon some killer instinct
Leading 19-7 in the third quarter, Florida faced first-and-10 at the Texas 25 after a 60-yard catch by Vernell Brown III. Three plays and a false start later, Trey Smack kicked a 38-yard field goal that kept Texas within two possessions.
Boos from a sellout crowd followed a 4-yard run by tailback Jaden Baugh on third-and-nine, with UF on the edge of the red zone. Even amid an impressive outing by the Gators, frustration with Napier’s conservative play calling endured.
Rather than try to deliver a knockout blow, UF’s coach settled for three points. The decision ultimately allowed the Longhorns to stage a comeback bid. A 15-yard facemask penalty on Gators’ true freshman lineman Jeremiah McCloud on the final drive rekindled memories of the USF loss, when two defensive penalties opened the door for an upset.
High drama in the Swamp might have been avoided with some bolder play calls.
Florida wide receiver Dallas Wilson (6) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Texas on a 55-yard pass play during the Gators’ 29-21 win against Texas in the Swamp. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Consider the fourth quarter when UF led 29-14 after reaching Texas territory. The drive stalled after two Baugh runs sandwiched a screen pass. On third-and-three Baugh lost three yards on a day when quarterback DJ Lagway had found something in the middle of the field.
A Florida team with limited margin for error best capitalize when opportunities arise.
“At the end of the game we’ve got to be able to finish it a little more stronger than that,” Lagway said.
Brown and Dallas Wilson are a rare, if not unprecedented tandem at Florida
Florida has had first-year freshmen receivers burst onto the scene. Perhaps never have the Gators had two at the same time.
Time will tell, but Brown and Wilson were a dynamic, at times unstoppable duo against Texas.
After sitting out the four games with a foot injury, Wilson stole the show. The Tampa native’s six catches, 111 yards and two scores were all school records for a true freshman in his first college start.
The 6-foot-3, 213–pound Wilson’s 55-yard touchdown encapsulated his skill set. He left Texas cornerback Malik Muhammad in the dust just past the the line of scrimmage, caught the ball, shook off safety Jelani McDonald along the sideline and ran over All-America safety Michael Taaffe on the goal line.
“He’s a specimen,” Lagway said of Wilson.
Not to be outdone, Brown’s 60-yard catch showcased the 18-year-old’s athleticism. The 5-foot-11 ¼, 178-pound Orlando native outmuscled and outmaneuvered defensive back Graceson Littleton, another freshman from Tampa.
Brown also had a 14-yard run on third-and-four during the Gators’ opening driving. He finished with a team-high 141 all-purpose that would have been more if Texas had not punted away from him.
Ike Hilliard and Reidel Anthony were an impressive pair when they arrived in 1994, but didn’t immediately take full flight. Willie Jackson Jr. had 10 touchdowns as a freshman in 1991 and Jabar Gaffney 71 catches in 2000.
After Saturday, Wilson and Brown are on their way to joining elite company.
Florida quarterback DJ Lagway throws a pass during the Gators’ 29-21 win against No. 9 Texas Saturday in the Swamp. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Lagway found his rhythm after a rough September
The 20-year-old found his form to outplay Arch Manning during a showdown of high-profile sophomores.
Lagway was accurate early on and eventually produced explosive plays sorely missing a season after he made defenses pay down the field. After completing one pass to a wide receiver longer than 20 yards in losses to LSU and Miami, Lagway had four Saturday.
“They give a lot of underneath stuff, so early on just taking what they’re giving us, getting some early completions to get our confidence going,” he explained. “Then eventually they’ll start creeping up — they did a little bit — and we got over the top of them.”
Lagway’s ability to capitalize was a good sign.
An injury plagued offseason limited his workload, curtailed his development and undercut his confidence. During the bye week, Lagway rebuilt his belief and established synergy with Wilson, who had injury issues himself.
“When I was in, he was out,” Lagway said. “We really had a good two weeks just to work on our connection.”
Lagway finished 21 of 28 for 298 yards, two scores to Wilson and an interception, one of two ill-advised throws on an otherwise well-managed day.
The future is suddenly brighter, while a five-interception nightmare at LSU and 61-yard effort at Miami appear to be behind him.
At the same time, Lagway could be nursing an injury
Lagway left the field gingerly and entered the medical tent after the Gators’ second drive ended with a 34-yard field goal by Smack.
Florida’s QB returned and didn’t miss a snap. The Gators’ offensive line, in its best game to date, kept the pocket clean to allow Lagway to operate.
But he lacked the mobility to capitalize when opportunities arose, Meanwhile, Manning ran for 74 yards, not including sacks, to showcase dual-threat abilities Lagway possesses but has rarely deployed because of injuries.
A hamstring strain in 2024 sidelined him during a 49-17 loss at Texas. He returned to lead a four-game winning streak while relying on his arm. A calf injury limited him during fall camp when he needed snaps.
Lagway brushed off Saturday’s development, though it’s worth monitoring.
“Nothing too crazy,” he said. “I’ve been here before, been in this situation. Just got to get better and continue to work.”
Florida head coach Billy Napier of the reacts after defeating the Texas Longhorns 29-21 in a game Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
UF’s defensive front woke up
Tyreak Sapp’s tackle for loss on Texas’s first offensive snap was the redshirt senior end’s first TFL in three games and set the tone for a dominant day up front for Florida’s defense.
“We did exactly what we wanted to do and it was fun doing it,” said Sapp, who led UF with six tackles.
Sapp and his peers overwhelmed an offensive line with four new starters and rattled Manning, who suffered six sacks and two interceptions.
Senior Brien Taylor Jr. finished with 1.5 sacks, the first for the former junior college transfer who also had two of hurries. UF pressured Manning 23 times after recording just 34 in the Gators’ first four games.
Sophomore nose tackle Micah Boireau also had his first sack. Meanwhile, true freshman Jeremiah McCloud continued his disruptive play while capitalizing on the void caused by veteran Caleb Banks’ foot injury.
The Gators’ defense has been solid, despite inconsistent play up front. When Sapp and Co. are on their game, UF’s D is stellar.
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
