On Saturday in Gainesville, the Florida Gators delivered one of the biggest upsets of the 2025 college football season, knocking off No. 9 Texas by a final score of 29–21. What made the victory all the more impressive: Florida entered the game on a three-game losing streak and was widely viewed as the underdog.
Lagway & Wilson Shine
Quarterback DJ Lagway produced one of his best outings of the season, completing 21 of 28 passes for 298 yards and two touchdowns — both to freshman wideout Dallas Wilson. For Wilson, this game was a statement: he hauled in six catches for 111 yards, and his 55-yard touchdown catch in the second half electrified The Swamp. In doing so, Wilson set Florida freshman receiving records and became the first true freshman receiver in Florida history to score a touchdown in his first collegiate game.
The Defense & Special Teams Deliver
Florida’s defense was opportunistic, intercepting Texas quarterback Arch Manning twice and hounding him all afternoon. The Gators also blocked a punt, turning a special-teams play into a safety — a momentum swing that mattered in a close game.
On the other side, Texas struggled to run the ball. Their rushing attack mustered just 52 yards, and the offensive line failed to protect Manning — he was sacked six times. Manning still put up 263 passing yards and two touchdowns, but the turnovers and pressure proved costly.
Texas mounted a late push, aided by a defensive penalty that gave them life, but the Longhorns came up short. Manning’s deep throw on the final drive fell incomplete, and he was sacked twice as time expired.
What It Means
For Florida
This win does more than break a losing streak — it could become a turning point for the Gators’ season. Coach Billy Napier called the performance “the football team I thought we had in the very beginning,” praising contributions in all three phases. The victory also buys Florida some breathing room from critics, especially with expectations mounting for consistency and execution.
For Texas
The loss is a serious blow to Texas’ national title hopes. Already sitting at 3–2 and now 0–1 in SEC play, the Longhorns’ path forward is suddenly more treacherous. Their offensive line issues, inability to run the ball, and trouble protecting their quarterback were all exposed. Much of the fan and media reaction has homed in on Manning’s turnovers and the defensive lapses that allowed Florida’s big plays
This isn’t just Florida’s best win of the year — it could be a momentum-shifting win. For Texas, the alarm bells are ringing. As conference play heats up, both programs will need to address cracks revealed in Gainesville if they hope to achieve their goals this season.
67
0
24.77k
20
