A lackluster run-stopping ability, questionable play calls and falling behind the sticks —There were several reasons why the Gators lost to No. 5 Texas A&M in College Station, Texas.
After taking down the Texas Longhorns at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Oct. 4, Florida had the chance to pick up two consecutive top-10 wins. Instead, the team fell short for the fourth time this season.
The Aggies proved dominant in the 34-17 win, closing out the contest with a 20-3 run following the start of the second quarter. With the victory, TAMU improved to 6-0 for the first time since 2016.
Here are key reasons why Florida struggled throughout the matchup:
Falling behind the sticks
In Florida’s opening touchdown drive, the team did not see anything beyond second down. The six-to-two pass-to-run ratio in the series set up Lagway and Co. for success.
Following the score, the Gators fell 1 for 10 on third and 0 for 1 on fourth down. Yes, Texas A&M has held its opponents on third down, but with the showing from the week prior, Florida had what it needed to exceed 10% on third-and-distance.
The Gators found themselves at third-and-7 or greater on eight accounts throughout the game. When the offense was struggling as it was today, Napier cannot expect to extend the chains in such circumstances.
"We were inefficient on first and second down. We weren't able to run it effectively. And then obviously at times when we did throw it, they were able to get pressure,” Napier said. “Then you are playing third and long. Mike [Elko] does a great job with his third-down package, they are really good at what they do in that regard.”
Failing to stop the run
Despite Aggies running back Le’Veon Moss leaving the contest early in the second quarter due to an injury, the team did not have an issue being efficient in the ground game.
The running back duo of Moss and Rueben Owens II combined for 97 rushing yards. Adding in dual-threat quarterback Marcel Reed put the team at 134 yards on the ground. The trio totaled three rushing touchdowns.
“I think [Reed’s] tough to get on the ground, his ability to escape and extend, and then you could be free and not get him down, and then he makes a play for his feet,” Napier said.
TAMU closed out the contest with 183 rushing yards. The total is the second-most the Gators front has surrendered this year, just one yard shy of Miami’s sum in Week 4.
Aggies head coach Mike Elko did not stray far from the run game after his group picked up 92 rushing yards in the first half. The team’s 42 rush attempts came after its 54 attempts and 299 rush yards against Mississippi State in Week 6.
Despite belief that the Gators’ front seven would play a key role in the matchup, the group did the opposite.
No one representing Florida accumulated a sack as Reed’s pocket stayed clean. Additionally, zero Gators recorded a tackle-for-loss. On the other side was the Texas A&M front, who sacked Lagway and picked up six TFL.
Florida will look to get back in the win column Oct 18. against Mississippi State at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
Continued uncertainty from Napier
Florida is now 21-22 under Napier. The Oct. 11 loss marks Napier’s 14th against ranked opponents on the road in his Florida tenure.
Dating back to the 2024 season, Gator fans were calling for Napier’s departure from Gainesville.
After closing out last year 4-0 with two top-25 conference wins and a bowl game victory, Napier’s seat had cooled down.
However, three straight losses against FBS opponents sparked the same conversations that were had the year prior. Texas was driven out of the Swamp after sophomore quarterback DJ Lagway totaled 298 yards in the win, stalling (most) outward wants of the head coach out of town.
The loss may drive in the hotseat talks again.
Contact Riley Orovitz at rorovitz@alligator.org. Follow her on X @rileyorovitz
Riley is a sophomore sports journalism student and is the swim & dive beat reporter for Fall 2025 in her first semester with The Alligator. In her free time, she may be watching past Miami Dolphins or Florida Panthers highlights or hanging out with her friends.
