Full Breakdown
Florida Upsets No. 7 Texas in Tramell Jones Jr.’s First Career Start
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: First Career Start Leads to Upset
On Oct 10, 2026, sophomore quarterback Tramell Jones Jr. made his first collegiate start for the Florida Gators against the No. 7 Texas Longhorns at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Jones threw for 155 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover, guiding Florida to a 27-24 victory after the Gators rallied from a 17-3 deficit. The win snapped Florida’s two-game losing streak and marked Texas’s second consecutive loss.
Background & Context
Florida entered the game with a 4-2 overall, 3-2 SEC record after a 4-0 start and back-to-back defeats to Missouri and South Carolina. Starting quarterback Aaron Philo was listed as questionable with a shoulder injury sustained in the 38-19 loss to South Carolina, prompting head coach Jon Sumrall to turn to Jones. Texas, at 4-1, 1-1 SEC, boasted one of the nation’s top defenses, ranking third overall in the SEC and leading the conference in red-zone efficiency.
Data & Statistics
- Tramell Jones Jr.: 22-35, 155 passing yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs.
- Jadan Baugh (Florida RB): 91 rushing yards, 1 TD.
- Lacota Dippre (Florida TE): 2 TD receptions.
- Arch Manning (Texas QB): 14-20, 173 passing yards, 1 TD, < 100 yards before the fourth quarter.
- Texas defense recorded 5 sacks on Manning, including a late-game forced fumble.
- Florida’s defense limited Texas to under 300 total yards and forced three consecutive three-and-outs in the second half.
Official Statements & Responses
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian described the loss as “extremely disappointing,” acknowledging shortcomings in the first quarter and pledging adjustments.
Verbatim Quotes
- “They're both working hard every day, and Tramell is gonna be ready when his number is called, and he's gonna continue to have opportunities as we move forward,” — Jon Sumrall, coach
- “I’ve said this publicly – I think Tramell can be our starting quarterback here, and we can win football games,” — Jon Sumrall, coach
- “We’ve got to play cleaner, we’ve got to communicate cleaner, we’ve got to play technically cleaner,” — Brad White
- “The thing I like watching their defense right now, you can tell that they’re wired to execute at a high level, which is a challenge,” — Jon Sumrall, coach
- “Tramell is gonna be ready when his number is called,” — Jon Sumrall, coach
Why It Matters
The victory preserves Florida’s eligibility for an SEC championship run and positions the Gators for a high-profile matchup against No. 1 Georgia later this month. For Texas, the defeat deepens concerns about playoff viability; the Longhorns were already on the fringe after a prior loss to Ohio State and now face an uphill path to the College Football Playoff. The game also serves as a litmus test for Florida’s depth at quarterback, suggesting that Jones could remain a significant contributor even after Philo’s recovery.
What's Next
Florida’s next contest is a showdown with No. 1 Georgia in Atlanta later this month. Texas will host No. 9 Mississippi later this month, seeking to rebound and keep its postseason hopes alive.
