Texas A&M football beats Florida 33-20: Score-by-score recap
Texas A&M football dominated Florida in its first SEC game of the season.
The Saturday matchup at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium was delayed by weather but that couldn't stop the Aggies in a 33-20 win that wasn't even that close.
The Aggies earned their first SEC road win years (literally) in Mike Elko's first shot.
Last week Texas A&M notched its first win of the season vs. McNeese State, easing the sting of the Aggies' season-opening loss to Notre Dame. Florida is likely be featuring two quarterbacks Saturday; six-year veteran Graham Mertz, and freshman phenom D.J. Lagway.
RECAP: 3 takeaways as Mike Elko does what Jimbo Fisher struggled to
Texas A&M quarterback Conner Weigman was listed as questionable and did not make the start. Marcel Reed started in his place. Lightning strikes delayed the game as the first quarter came to an end.
Here are updates as Texas A&M faces Florida:
Texas A&M vs. Florida score updates
Q4, 5:13 — Florida runs it in
After narrowly avoiding a turnover on a Mertz fumble out of bounds, the Gators jam it in on a Ja'Kobi Jackson 2-yard run to make it 33-20. The Florida 2-point attempt failed.
Q3, 1:04 — Lagway finds a touchdown
Lagway has been spotty for most of the game, but it seems that he found a semblance of a rhythm late in the third quarter. He didn't force anything, throwing short passes and taking what's open, eventually ending with a 7-yard touchdown pass to Chimere Dike. Texas A&M leads 33-14.
Q3, 5:22 — Texas A&M DB Bryce Anderson grabs pick 6
The Gators' best offensive drives have come with Mertz on the field, with 147 yards passing to Lagway's 12 yards. However, a third-down pass up the middle is tipped and picked by Bryce Anderson, who runs it all the way back for a touchdown. Texas A&M leads 33-7.
Q3, 7:21 — Gators finally stop Aggies offense
A testament to how good Reed has been is that Tyler White did not punt for the entire first half. He finally jogs on the field on fourth down in the third quarter, with Texas A&M going three-and-out for the first time today.
Q3, 9:15 — Lagway struggling vs. Aggies defense
The freshman quarterback can't seem to find a rhythm. Texas A&M's defensive line is disrupting his pocket and on third down, they finally get to him for their first sack of the day.
Q3, 11:00 — Reed responds immediately
After a first down run, Reed rolls to the left and launches a pass to Cyrus Allen that goes 73 yards for another touchdown. This young quarterback is completely unfazed by the moment. Aggies lead 26-7 after the 2-point conversion fails.
Q3, 11:49 — Gators cut into Texas A&M's lead
Florida exits the half with a vengeance, with Mertz hitting Elihah Badger for a 54-yard touchdown that's called back due to holding. The Gators stay in Aggie territory and rush down to the 5-yard line thanks to a facemask by Texas A&M's defense.
A false start puts Florida on the Aggie 10-yard line, and Scooby Williams blows up a run play for a 4-yard loss. Mertz hits Badger the very next play for a 14-yard touchdown, giving the Gators life in the Swamp. The extra point and Texas A&M still leads 20-7.
End of 1st half — Aggies 20, Gators 0
Texas A&M has 302 yard of offense, while Florida has 73. It's been an impressive first start from Reed, who has two touchdowns, 105 yards of passing and 49 yards rushing. His numbers are attractive, but the real story of the game lies in the trenches. The Aggies' offensive and defensive lines have been utterly dominant.
Q2, 1:13 — Reed rushing touchdown gives Texas A&M 20-0 lead
The Aggies convert a fourth-and-1, but two penalties on the ensuing play pushes them back 25 yards. Trikweze Bridges is called for targeting after tackling Noah Thomas, pushing Texas A&M to Florida's 23-yard line. After a holding penalty on Florida, Reed takes the ball, rushes it to the 1-yard line and sneaks it in for another touchdown.
Q2, 2:00 — A&M running backs taking over
A rainstorm has engulfed the Swamp. The Gators seem unfazed though, with Mertz returning at quarterback and leading his team to Texas A&M territory for the first time today. The drive stalls at the opposing ' 37-yard line, and the Gators pin the Aggies on the one-yard line with the ensuing punt.
The offensive line has begun to enforce their will on Florida's defensive line. Moss, Daniels and EJ Smith all took carries and have led Texas A&M all the way to the Gators' 26-yard line. Reed is stopped just short of a first down as the game enters the two minute timeout.
Q2, 9:45 — Aggies extend lead
On third-and-5, Reed makes his first real mistake of the day, throwing the ball right at the chest of a Gators defender who drops an easy interception. It looked like the quarterback expected Muhammad to turn around and catch the ball, but the receiver seemed shocked by the pass. Texas A&M settles for a 49-yard field goal, which Randy Bond hits.
Q2, 10:45 — Play restarts, Texas A&M's defense sacks Lagway
Solomon Deshields rushes on a third-and-11 blitz, tripping Lagway up until he eventually falls down for a 15-yard sack. Reed takes the field again, converting another 3rd down with a pass to Jabre Barber.
BREAKING: Weather delay in Gainesville
Lightning has led to play being delayed at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The game will be suspended for at least 30 minutes.
Lagway in at quarterback for Florida
It seems the Gators have decided they should roll with their freshman as well, with Lagway taking the field.
Q1, 00:18 — Reed cooking Gators in the Swamp
Florida is running with Graham Mertz at quarterback over former top recruit and freshman DJ Lagway. The Aggies defense force a punt after Mertz sends a high pass on third-and-13 that Marcus Burke can't corral.
LeVeon Moss begins the next drive with a 27-yard rush. On another third down, Florida sends a rusher from the secondary that Reed recognizes, sending a ball to Amari Daniels that goes for 22 yards. The Aggies go for it on 4th and 5 and Reed's pass is incomplete. However, a Florida holding call leads to a first down.
Then on second down, Reed throws a dime right up the seam for a 29-yard touchdown to Melin Ohrstrom. The redshirt freshman has stunned the Gators early.
Q1, 8:14 — Reed shows off his speed and his arm
The backup introduced himself to the Swamp on 2nd and 21 with a 31-yard run to the Aggies' 45-yard line. Reed also showed up on 3rd and 10, completing a pass up the middle for Moose Muhammad III for 20 yards. Then on third-and-13, the first time starter showed his poise, rolling to the right and delivering a 15-yard pass to put the Aggies on Florida's 12-yard line.
Reed pulls off another third down conversion for a touchdown that's negated by a block and the back. The Aggies settle for a field goal but the important part is that Reed looked confident and competent.
Marcel Reed starting over Connor Weigman
Despite quarterback Connor Weigman going through warmups, Elko has elected to go with backup Marcel Reed due to Weigman suffering from a lingering shoulder issue. The redshirt freshman is a dual threat quarterback who provides an advantage in the running game. Elko mentioned that Weigman may get some snaps eventually, however.
Texas A&M vs. Florida time today
Date: Saturday, Sept. 14.
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida.
Saturday's Aggies game will kickoff at 2:30 p.m. on ESPN.
WATCH TEXAS A&M VS. FLORIDA ON ESPN
More: Texas A&M's Mike Elko: Florida QBs DJ Lagway, Graham Mertz provide unique challenges
What channel is Texas A&M vs. Florida on today?
TV channel: ESPN, ABC.
Streaming: SEC Network, Fubo.
Radio: Gator Sports Network from LEARFIELD (Station List)SiriusXM 374
Texas A&M vs. Florida will be broadcast on the SEC Network streaming service. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium will play host to the conference game. FUBO offers a free trial to new subscribers hoping to watch college football.
Texas A&M football vs. Florida history
Series record: 3-3
Texas A&M's last win: 41-38, Oct. 10, 2020.
Texas A&M and Florida last played in 2022, though the Aggies' last win came in 2020. Texas A&M quarterback Kellen Mond and Gators quarterback Kyle Trask went toe-to-toe, with Texas A&M winning on a last second field goal. With Florida ranked No. 4 at the time, Texas A&M skyrocketed up the polls following the win.
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Texas A&M vs. Florida predictions
The consensus of College Football News is that Texas A&M will leave the Swamp with a win. CFB-HQ on Sports Illustrated ran the game through an analytics model that gives the Aggies a 56% chance to win. 247Sports writers Chris Hummer and Brad Crawford both picked Florida to grab the home victory. The Dallas Morning News is rolling with Texas A&M to win on the road.
Texas A&M 2024 football schedule
Aug. 31: Notre Dame 23, Texas A&M 13
Sept. 7: Texas A&M 52, McNeese 10
Sept. 21: vs. Bowling Green | 6:30 p.m. | ESPN+, SEC Network +
Sept. 28: vs Arkansas* (Arlington, Texas)
Oct. 5: vs. No. 10 Missouri* | 11 a.m.
Oct. 12: BYE
Oct. 19: at Mississippi State*
Oct. 26: vs. No. 19 LSU*
Nov. 2: at South Carolina*
Nov. 9: BYE
Nov. 16: vs. New Mexico State
Nov. 23: at Auburn*
Nov. 30: vs. No. 3 Texas
*Denotes an SEC game.
Texas A&M football news
Florida-Texas A&M game: Ex-Cowboys RB Emmitt Smith to serve as 'Mr. Two Bits'
Texas A&M's Mike Elko: Florida QBs DJ Lagway, Graham Mertz provide unique challenges
Texas A&M vs. McNeese State grades: See which unit didn't get an 'A' in Week 2 win
Texas A&M takeaways: Le'Veon Moss key in Mike Elko's first Aggie win
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas A&M football beats. Florida in Week 3: Score-by-score recap
