Post Game Review: Texas A&M 33, Florida 20

The skid is over.

After 10 straight road losses — a slide that dates back to 2022 — Texas A&M is flying back to College Station in the win column following a 33-20 victory over Florida.

On Saturday, backup quarterback Marcel Reed took the reigns of the Aggie offense as Conner Weigman watched from the sidelines with a sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder.

In A&M’s initial penalty-laden drive, Reed opened things up for the Ags with a 31-yard scramble. He later found Moose Muhammad III for a gain of 20 to keep the chains moving. Tre Watson’s first grab of the day was a 15-yarder to put A&M inside the redzone.

Later on, Jabre Barber found the end zone on an 11-yard pass. However, it was called back due to a block in the back penalty against Theo Melin Öhrström. The fast-tempo opening drive concluded with a 31-yard field goal from Randy Bond.

Out with a concussion a week ago, Graham Mertz returned as Florida’s starting quarterback, leaving the highly-touted freshman DJ Lagway on the bench. Mertz threw for just one first down before a Marcus Ratcliffe tackle for loss set Florida behind the sticks. A dropped pass by Marcus Burke allowed the Aggie defense to get off the field after just five plays.

What looked to be a dead play up the middle, Le’Veon Moss spun out to the side to pick up 27. Another chunk play came from Amari Daniels, who caught a short pass to cross midfield. On fourth down, a Florida holding penalty gifted the Aggies another set of downs. Reed connected with “The Swede” in the end zone to put the Aggies up, 10-0.

On their own 27, “The Swamp” erupted as Lagway took over for the Gators. Nic Scourton stopped running back Montrell Johnson Jr. for a loss of two right before the game was suspended due to weather at the end of the first quarter.

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Florida native Amari Daniels ran for 68 yards on 13 attempts.

After a 47-minute delay, the Gator offense immediately stalled. Solomon DeShields and Shemar Stewart were credited with a sack for a loss of 15 yards to bring the Gators’ total offensive number to -7.

The Aggies took over at their own 45, and back-to-back gains of nine propelled A&M into Gator territory. On third down, A&M failed to convert, setting up a 48-yard field goal for Bond.

In an attempt to find a rhythm offensively, Mertz stepped back under center and delivered a bullet to Chimere Dike, who picked up 39 yards as the rain picked up. Yet, the Gators’ momentum stopped there.

A 36-yard punt pinned the Aggies on their own 1-yard line, and the stable of running backs quickly went to work in the soggy conditions. Three rushes over 12 — one from Moss and two from Daniels — moved the ball downfield as EJ Smith, son of Florida legend Emmitt Smith, fought for another first down.

After 13 straight rushing plays, Noah Thomas caught his first pass of the day. A targeting call on the play put the Ags inside the 25, where a designed quarterback run from Reed placed A&M on the 1-yard line. A play later, the young signal-caller punched it across the goal line to put the Ags up 20-0 at the half.

To kick off the third quarter, Florida finally found its groove offensively. Mertz completed a pass to Dike to pick up 19, and two plays later, a 38-yard touchdown pass was called back due to a holding penalty.

Yet, the Gators drove downfield as Mertz hit a wide-open Elijhah Badger to put points on the board.

The Aggies wasted no time responding. Reed aired it out and hit Cyrus Allen in stride for a 73-yard touchdown. While the two-point attempt came up short, the Aggies led 26-7.

Florida’s ensuing drive did not gain a single positive yard as Cashius Howell recorded his first solo sack as an Aggie. Another 10-yard rush from Reed reset the sticks, yet Tyler White saw the field for the first time as A&M’s drive sputtered.

What looked to be a promising march for Mertz & Co. was quickly spoiled as Bryce Anderson housed a 45-yard pick-six.

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The victory represents Mike Elko’s first SEC win as the head coach at Texas A&M.

Back on offense, Florida worked its way downfield, converting a crucial fourth down, and eventually, Lagway found Dike in the end zone to decrease A&M’s lead to 19.

Draining the clock, A&M handed off the ball to the trio of Moss, Daniels and Smith to get down to the 30-yard line. However, Bond missed a field goal attempt from 40 yards out.

With 8:21 remaining in the game, the Gators drove down 78 yards as Ja’Kobi Jackson hauled in the score, 33-20.

Moss surpassed the 100-yard threshold for the first time since Arkansas on September 30, 2023. After Napier called all three timeouts to stop the clock and attempt to slow the drive, Bond missed his second field goal of the day from 40 yards out.

Two plays later, Lagway threw his second interception of his career right to Jayvon Thomas.

The Aggies ran the ball to run down the clock and secure the win.

RUMBLED: Stand up, Marcel Reed. With Conner Weigman sidelined with a shoulder injury, Reed stepped in and executed the offense with ease. Completing 11-of-17 passes for 178 yards, Reed looked comfortable and effective in “The Swamp.” His ability to use his legs to get yardage may be the most impressive part of his game, putting up 83 on the ground. If Reed stands as QB1 while Weigman recovers, Aggie fans have nothing to worry about.

STUMBLED: It was a dreary day for Florida. Billy Napier’s already hot seat appears to have warmed up. The Gators offense struggled in many categories on Saturday. Following the first quarter, A&M outgained Florida 174 to 8. At halftime, Florida’s rushers totaled -18 yards. In the third quarter, the Gators found the end zone but gave up a touchdown and a pick-six.

By the time the fourth quarter expired, the Aggie defense allowed just 52 rushing yards. A big question the last two weeks for the Aggies appeared to be a strength on Saturday’s contest. On the other hand, Florida’s ground game was abysmal.

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Texas A&M’s defense held Florida to just 52 yards on the ground and 301 yards total.

TURNING POINT: Two things Gainesville weather and Texas A&M had in common on Saturday? Bringing the thunder. The Maroon & White saw their share of plays that left Ben Hill Griffin Stadium quiet. Take your pick: Cyrus Allen’s 76-yard touchdown haul or Bryce Anderson’s tipped ball turned pick six? Both third-quarter plays were separators.

UNSUNG HERO: Often not highlighted, but Texas A&M’s offensive line went to work on Saturday. Florida had no answer as the Aggies rumbled on the ground. The tandem of rushers ran for 310 yards while Reed showed off his legs with 83 more. Playing the majority of A&M’s offensive snaps, linemen Trey Zuhn, Chase Bisontis, TJ Shanahan, Ar’maj Reed-Adams and Dametrious Crownover deserve their flowers.

KEY STAT: Texas A&M recorded 488 yards of total offense on Saturday. That is the most vs. an SEC foe since the Aggies’ 497 yards against Tennessee on December 19, 2020.

Scoring Summary

First-quarter

A&M: 8:14 - Randy Bond 31-yard field goal. Drive: 14 plays, 62 yards. TOP: 6:46. Texas A&M 3, Florida 0

A&M: 00:18 - Marcel Reed 29-yard touchdown pass to Theo Melin Öhrström. Drive: 9 plays, 92 yards. TOP: 5:12. Texas A&M 10, Florida 0

Second-quarter

A&M: 9:50 - Randy Bond 49-yard field goal. Drive: 9 plays, 48 yards. TOP: 3:44. Texas A&M 13, Florida 0

A&M: 00:44 - Marcel Reed 1-yard touchdown rush Drive: 15 plays, 99 yards. TOP: 7:23. Texas A&M 20, Florida 0

Third-quarter

FLA: 11:49 - Graham Mertz 14-yard touchdown pass to Elijhah Badger. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards. TOP: 3:11. Texas A&M 20, Florida 7

A&M: 11:00 - Marcel Reed 73-yard touchdown pass to Cyrus Allen. Drive: 2 plays, 75 yards. TOP: 0:49. Texas A&M 26, Florida 7

A&M: 5:29 - Bryce Anderson 45-yard pick six. Texas A&M 33, Florida 7

FLA: 1:04 - DJ Lagway 7-yard touchdown pass to Chimere Dike. Drive: 10 plays, 72 yards. TOP: 4:18. Texas A&M 33, Florida 14

Fourth-quarter

A&M: 5:13 - Ja’Kobi Jackson 2-yard touchdown rush Drive: 9 plays, 78 yards. TOP: 3:215. Texas A&M 33, Florida 20