No multiplier for Gators: No. 5 Texas A&M beats Florida 34-17

Florida Gators coach Billy Napier wanted a “multiplier” after last week’s big win over Texas. Quarterback DJ Lagway, a Lone Star State native, hoped for a happy homecoming. And, UF was gunning for an historic program upset.

None of it happened.

No. 5 Texas A&M was boosted by a strong offensive showing in the first half, then got a stout defensive effort in the final 30 minutes. In the end, the Aggies had themselves a comfortable win against Florida in College Station, Texas.

Final score: Texas A&M 34, Florida 17.

Florida falls to 2-4 overall, 1-2 in the SEC. And at this point, almost every one of the Gators’ lofty preseason goals are now out of reach. Florida was trying to become the first unranked Gators team to beat an AP top-5 opponent on the road since 1963.

Napier is now 21-23 as UF coach.

The Aggies improved to 6-0, 3-0.

Lagway, playing in his home state for the first time as a Gator, started fast with two first-quarter touchdown strikes. But the sophomore signal caller and the UF offense cooled off after that. He finished 21 of 37 for 245 yards. As a team, the Gators had just 319 total yards and were only 1 of 11 on third down.

The Aggies gained 417 yards, with 234 coming from quarterback Marcel Reed and another 183 on the ground. The Texas A&M defense sacked Lagway three times; UF’s defense was held without a sack.

Next up for Florida, the Gators play host to Mississippi State next Saturday.

Gators Online provided live updates from the game below. Meanwhile, you can join the discussion on the Swamp Talk message board with other UF fans.

Fourth Quarter

*The Aggies have added a field goal. SCORE: Texas A&M 34; Florida 17; 4:39

*DJ Lagway just fumbled on a sack and the Aggies recovered at the UF 19.

*With a 2-yard rushing touchdown by Rueben Owens, the Aggies have taken a two-touchdown lead. The Texas A&M drive covered 50 yards on 12 plays and took 8:09 off the clock. SCORE: Texas A&M 31; Florida 17; 4:39

*The Gators reached the 50 and went for it on 4th-and-6 but a DJ Lagway pass is incomplete. Aggies ball with 12:48 left.

*Gators safety Jordan Castell picked off Aggies QB Marcel Reed in the end zone on the first play of the fourth quarter. Huge turn off events with the Aggies threatening.

Third Quarter

*Nothing doing for the UF offense and Tommy Doman just punted for the sixth time. Aggies ball as the TAMU 40.

*After a three-and-out, the Gators will start at the UF 25 with 5:51 left in the quarter.

*The Gators have answered Texas A&M’s field goal with one of their own, this time by Trey Smack from 45 yards out. It capped a nine-play, 47-yard drive that included a 25-yard reception from Eugene Wilson. SCORE: Texas A&M 24; Florida 17; 7:08

*The Florida defense stood strong and held Texas A&M to a 26-yard field goal. The Aggies gained 21 yards on five plays. SCORE: Texas A&M 24; Florida 14; 10:42

*Gators receiver Vernell Brown has lost a fumble and the Aggies recovered at the UF 29.

*The UF defense opens the half with a three-and-out. Gators ball after a punt at the UF 30 at the 14:14 mark.

Second Quarter

*Despite great field position, UF couldn’t get anything going and was forced to punt. Aggies ball at the 20 with only 27 seconds left in the half. They get the ball to start the third quarter.

*UF has forced a quick three-and-out and will get the ball at the Gators 41 with 1:46 left in the half.

*After a 57-yard Tommy Doman punt, the Aggies will start at their own 4 with 2:05 left in the half.

*The Aggies just missed a 43-yard field goal.

*UF picked up a first down but did nothing after that and punted.

*The Gators have forced their first punt of the game and will start at their own 10.

*A three-play UF drive lost 3 yards and the Gators had to punt. TAMU with a seven-point lead and the ball at the Aggies 35 with 11:34 left in the half.

*Texas A&M has 71 rushing yards on 10 carries.

*Thus far, the Gators have had no answers for the TAMU offense, which just scored again. This drive took 11 plays and went 75 yards. The touchdown came on a 22-yard run from Le’Veon Moss. SCORE: Texas A&M 21; Florida 14; 13:04

First Quarter

*Gators QB DJ Lagway is 10-12 for 128 yards and two touchdowns in the first quarter.

*The Gators have tied it up on a 6-yard touchdown pass from DJ Lagway to Dallas Wilson. The six-play drive covered 75 yards and included a 31-yard catch by Vernell Brown. SCORE: Florida 14, Texas A&M 14; 3:38

*Texas A&M has 156 yards at the 6:19 mark of the first quarter.

*The Aggies offense is destroying UF’s defense so far. Texas A&M just went 81 yards in only six plays and scored when Marcel Reed hit Jamarion Morrow for a 22-yard touchdown strike. SCORE: Texas A&M 14; Florida 7; 6:19

*Texas A&M just forced a three-and-out and will begin at the Aggies 18 after a UF punt.

*The Aggies answered Florida’s TD with one of their own on an 8-yard scoring run from quarterback Marcel Reed. Texas A&M covered 75 yards in just two plays. Reed hit receiver Mario Craver for 67 yards deep over the middle on play No. 1. SCORE: Florida 7, Texas A&M 7; 10:14

*DJ Lagway was 6 of 6 for 58 yards on the opening drive.

*The Gators just took the opening drive 75 yards on eight plays in 3:52 and scored on a 1-yard touchdown strike from quarterback DJ Lagway to tight end Amir Jackson. That is Jackson’s first career TD. SCORE: Florida 7, Texas A&M 0; 11:08

How to watch the Florida Gators vs the Texas A&M Aggies

Date: Sat. Oct. 11
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Location: Kyle Field (102,733), College Station, Texas.
TV: ESPN
Stream: Cox 7/1007[HD], DirecTV 8 [HD]
Radio: SiriusXM Channel: 386 [Gator Network]/ TBA [Compass Media Networks]

On The Call — ESPN

Play-by-Play: Mark Jones
Analyst: Roddy Jones
Reporter: Quint Kessenich

On The Call — Gator Sports Network from LEARFIELD

Play-by-Play: Sean Kelley
Analyst: Shane Matthews
Reporter: Tate Casey

On the Call — Compass Media Networks

Play-by-Play: Gregg Daniels
Analyst: Tiki Barber
Studio Host: Tim Cates