Florida stuns Texas: DJ Lagway, Gators too much for No. 9 Longhorns as Billy Napier achieves signature win

Texas was ranked the No. 1 team in the preseason for the first time in program history. After losing to Florida, the Longhorns are 0-2 against power conference opponents and at serious risk of falling out of the AP Top 25. 

Quarterback Arch Manning was inconsistent again in his first career SEC start, but he was not the primary problem. Instead, every unit on the field for Texas had its moments of failure. Both lines were bullied. The receivers missed opportunities. The running backs were a non-factor. 

With what we've seen from Texas against Power Four opponents, there isn't much reason for the Longhorns to even be ranked in the AP Top 25. Any talk of them as a playoff contender is on life support after their second loss of the year.  

The biggest reason for optimism at Florida over the offseason was the arrival of a stacked No. 7 recruiting class. Blue-chip wide receivers Vernell Brown III and Dallas Wilson were the highlights. Finally, against the Longhorns, both players managed to impose their wills on the game. 

Wilson became the first Florida receiver to score a touchdown in their freshman debut, finishing with four catches for 50 yards and a score in the first half. Brown had the second half, headlined by a 60-yard completion to set up a field goal in the second half. Wilson closed it out with a 55-yard touchdown that proved to be the clincher. 

It's no coincidence, Florida quarterback DJ Lagway went on to have one of his most efficient games as a Gator. Florida's offense becomes substantially more efficient if Brown and Wilson are major difference makers. 

Florida set the tone early, bullying a Texas defensive line that had otherwise been successful this year. The Gators held Texas to only seven carries for 10 yards among their running backs, forcing them to lean on Manning for the bulk of their yardage. 

On the other end, Texas was held without a sack and surrendered 152 tough yards on the ground to set up multiple long drives. The Longhorns mustered only two tackles for loss, while Florida sacked Texas six times. It was a breakout performance for the Gators against a Texas team that's suddenly reeling. 

Florida used a dominant offensive performance to shock No. 9 Texas 29-21 and deliver the Longhorns a second loss. The Gators delivered one of the best defensive performances of the Billy Napier era to shut down Arch Manning and leave The Swamp with a decisive win. 

The Gators physically owned the game, stringing together three drives of 10+ plays in their first four attempts to take a 17-7 lead. The only Texas touchdown in the period came off a forced fumble that turned into a short-field score. The defensive line caused consistent mayhem against a struggling Longhorns unit. 

In the second half, it was Florida's receivers and defensive backs that rose to the occasion. True freshman Dallas Wilson picked up a 55-yard score after spinning down the sideline and Manning threw a pair of interceptions to end the Longhorns' chances. Texas scored a late touchdown to pull the game within one score, but Florida reached a first down to run out the clock. 

Lagway put together the best game of his career, completing 21-of-28 passes for 298 yards and two touchdowns, the most yardage of his career against a Power Four opponent. In his college debut, receiver Dallas Wilson posted six catches for 111 yards and two touchdowns. 

Texas got 263 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions from quarterback Arch Manning. He also led the team with 52 yards rushing. All other players combined for 11 carries for 15 yards. 

Late 4Q: Florida 29, Texas 21

Texas got back-to-back 26- and 42-yard passes from Arch Manning to set up a late touchdown drive, but Florida has the ball needing a few first downs to kneel out the clock. The Longhorns are out of timeouts. 

For all the struggles, Texas's offense has played a clean game. Finally, in the fourth quarter, that flipped. Texas quarterback Arch Manning unloaded a pass into the middle of the field and it was intercepted. The Gators now start at their own 38-yard line, by far the best field position that they have had all day. The Gators can put a final dagger in the heart with a touchdown. 

End 3Q: Florida 29, Texas 14

The Gators are on the cusp of picking up one of the biggest wins of the Billy Napier era after a second touchdown by true freshman Dallas Wilson in his career debut. Wilson dragged two Texas defensive backs into the end zone for a 55-yard score to push the lead out to 15 points. 

Florida has bullied Texas in nearly every aspect of the game, throwing for 273 yards, rushing for 142 yards and keep the Longhorns' offense on the sidelines. Running back Jadan Baugh is on the edge of a 100-yard performance as Florida runs the ball down the Longhorns' throat. 

Texas quarterback Arch Manning hit Ryan Wingo for a 38-yard touchdown, but the Longhorns' offense has struggled in several spots. Manning has 169 yards passing, but the Longhorns have run for only 44 yards on 19 carries as the offensive line struggles. Five drives have ended with four or fewer plays. 

3Q: Florida 22, Texas 14

Texas quarterback Arch Manning finally settled down and put together his first big play of the game. Manning maneuvered in the pocket and launched a 38-yard touchdown to Ryan Wingo over the outstretched arms of a Florida defender. 

3Q: Florida 22, Texas 7

After Florida receiver Vernell Brown came down with a deep pass in Texas territory, the Gators connected on a field goal to push the lead out to 15 points. The Longhorns have still only scored after good field position after a turnover, and will have to drive the length of the field again. 

The Longhorns have already burned through two drives in the second half, reaching only one first down and 21 total yards in seven plays. After an attempted end-over-end punt fell into the end zone for a touchback, Florida got the ball at the 20-yard line. On the first next play, DJ Lagway hit Vernell Brown, who bullied a Texas DB for a deep completion. Things could soon get worse. 

HALF: Florida 19, Texas 7

Florida is decimating No. 9 Texas 19-7 at halftime in The Swamp with a potential SEC-changing upset on the line. The Gators have bullied the Longhorns in nearly every phase, pulling together three scoring drives of at least 10 plays and only allowing points to Texas after a fumble near midfield. 

The Gators have leaned heavily on their rushing game, carrying the ball 21 times for 113 yards. Jadan Baugh has powered for 66 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback DJ Lagway has shaken off injuries and thrown for 150 yards, with a game-leading 50 going to true freshman Dallas Wilson, who became the first true freshman to catch a TD for the Gators in his career debut. 

The Texas offense has been stuck in the mud, especially in the running game. The Longhorns have only gotten 10 yards on the ground from running backs. 

Late 2Q: Florida 19, Texas

We've got a safety alert for Florida against Texas. The Gators got yet another stop against the Texas offense, and then blocked a Longhorns punt that flew out of the back of the end zone for a safety. Florida is decimating Texas in almost every phase in perhaps the most complete performance of the Billy Napier era. 

2Q: Florida 17, Texas 7

After the first positive plays for Texas of the game, Florida came back and drove it right down their throat again. The Gators went 10 plays, 77 yards to put together yet another scoring drive and get into the end zone late in the second quarter. Florida has dominated every aspect of the game, outside of the turnover. 

True freshman Dallas Wilson is making his career debut against the Longhorns, and got into the end zone with a 13-yard touchdown. He has led the way with a game-high four catches for 50 yards to transform the Florida offense. The 17 points are also the most that Florida has scored against an FBS opponent this year. 

2Q: Florida 10, Texas 7

The Texas defense finally got its first big play of the game as defensive back Graceson Littleton punched out the ball after a reception. Arch Manning finally completed his first big pass to Parker Livingstone for 33 yards to set up a six-yard touchdown pass from Manning to Quintrevion Wisner. 

Florida quarterback DJ Lagway was evaluated in the injury tent after limping on the previous drive, but came back out onto the field and delivered a screen pass to Aidan Mizell. 

End 1Q: Florida 10, Texas 0

Florida is physically manhandling Texas through one quarter, putting together a pair of 10-play drives and rushing for 94 yards on only 14 plays. The Gators have scored both times down the field and held the ball for more than 11 minutes behind a 69-yard rushing quarter from Jadan Baugh. 

Texas only touched the ball on time in the first quarter, ultimately punting after running only seven plays. Quarterback Arch Manning was responsible for 37 yards, but missed Parker Livingstone on third down.  The Longhorns had previously not allowed a single first quarter point through the first four games. 

Florida quarterback DJ Lagway came up limping after a handoff on the previous drive and was seen heading to the injury tent. He threw for 54 yards on 5-of-8 passing early. 

Mid 1Q: Florida 7, No. 9 Texas 0 

Florida took the ball first and Florida scored first. The Gators built some much-needed momentum and took an early lead thanks to a 13-play, 84-yard drive that took 6:52 off the clock. Running back Jadan Baugh capped things off with a 5-yard rushing touchdown. Baugh put in work on that drive. He carried the ball eight times for 39 yards while keeping Florida ahead of the chains. Quarterback DJ Lagway was also efficient by completing all four of his passes for 31 yards, including a key third-down conversion early in the drive. 

Texas needs to strike back early to keep quarterback Arch Manning, who has struggled this season, confident in an imposing road environment. 

Early 1Q: No. 9 Texas 0, Florida 0 

Florida opened the game with the ball and is attempting to set the tone early with a sustained drive. The Gators just moved deep into Texas territory thanks to a 14-yard rush from wide receiver Vernell Brown III. Quarterback DJ Lagway looks sharp thus far, as he's completed all four of his pass attempts for 31 yards. 

The Texas offense has some real concerns that Florida could pick apart, but the Longhorns' defense is positioned to obliterate Florida's passing game. Ten different players have recorded a sack through the first four games, even though superstar linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. hasn't gotten on the board yet. The Longhorns will dominate the line of scrimmage and hold Florida to 10 or fewer points for the third straight game in an ugly -- yet effective -- victory at The Swamp. Pick: Texas -7

Texas vs. Florida prediction, pick, odds, spread: Arch Manning, Longhorns hit the road to open SEC play

Shehan Jeyarajah

Texas

Out: RB CJ Baxter
GTD: CB Malik Muhammad

Florida

Out: RB Treysun Webb, EDGE LJ McCray, DB Aaron Gates, WR Muizz Tounkara, RB Ja'Kobi Johnson, DB Dijon Johnson, DL Caleb Banks, DL Joseph Mbatchou

Texas quarterback Arch Manning has been wildly inconsistent in his first four starts, struggling even against UTEP in Week 3. However, former Texas quarterback David Ash defended Arch in a social media post. 

"As with any young quarterback, he's on a growth journey," Ash wrote on social media. "Out chasing perfection every day. There will be highs and lows. But at some point, he will be playing for us in a national championship game. Don't be the guy who feels guilty cuz you weren't ride or die." 

Manning is set to make his first road SEC start, and is playing one of the toughest defenses in the SEC. 

Former Texas starting QB defends Arch Manning as early season struggles dampen preseason hype

Brad Crawford

After five interceptions against No. 3 LSU, uncharacteristic lateness on throws and simple misfires against South Florida that have contributed to a 1-2 start -- leading to renewed skepticism about Billy Napier's long-term future as Florida coach -- many are asking: What's wrong with DJ Lagway? 

Even Florida's famed former Heisman Trophy-winning QB and national championship-winning coach Steve Spurrier has noticed that Lagway looks "off." 

What's wrong with DJ Lagway? Inside Florida star QB's battle to find rhythm amid critical stretch for Gators

Richard Johnson