Florida quarterback Tramell Jones Jr. (9) rolls out during the first half against Texas, Oct. 17, 2026, in Austin, Texas. Photo by Noah Lantor, via The Independent Florida Alligator.
AUSTIN, Texas — Tramell Jones Jr. made his first career start a big one Saturday, leading the Florida Gators to a 27-24 win over No. 7 Texas in front of a sold-out crowd of more than 100,000 at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium.
Jones Jr. got the start in place of the injured Aaron Philo and finished 22 of 35 for 155 yards and two touchdowns, both to tight end Lacota Dippre. Texas jumped out to a 17-3 lead in the second quarter, but the Gators kept fighting and answered with 24 straight points.
Texas breaks free during Florida’s game against Texas at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Oct. 17, 2026. Photo: Scott Watcher, via The Gainesville Sun.
Jones Jr. hit Dippre right before halftime to make it 17-10. In the third quarter, the Gators put together a 15-play drive that took more than eight minutes and ended with another Jones-to-Dippre touchdown to tie the game. Florida then took its first lead on a field goal, and running back Jadan Baugh added a touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Baugh finished with 91 yards on 25 carries.
The Gators defense was the story of the day. Florida held Texas to 272 total yards and sacked Arch Manning five times. With under two minutes left, linebacker Myles Graham forced a fumble and Kanye Clark jumped on it to seal the win.
Arch Manning Struggled during Florida’s 27-24 win over Texas in Austin, Oct. 17, 2026. Photo: Getty Images, via The Athletic.
This is Florida’s first road win over a top-10 team since 2012, and it moves the Gators to 5-2 in head coach Jon Sumrall’s first season. Florida has a bye next week before taking on Georgia on Oct. 31 in Atlanta. Check out the full game highlights on ESPN.
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