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AUSTIN, Texas — A first-time starting quarterback and new-look defense carried Florida past Texas 27-24 and back into the College Football Playoff picture after a stunning upset on the No. 7 Longhorns’ home field.

Coach Jon Sumrall’s promising first season had turned sour after consecutive double-digit losses. Stunning No. 7 Texas as a 10.5-point underdog behind first-time starter Tramell Jones Jr. put the Gators ahead of schedule again with an Oct. 31 meeting with top-ranked Georgia in Atlanta looming.

Jones, stepping in for the injured Aaron Philo, helped lead Florida to its first victory on the road against an Top 10 team since the Gators beat Florida State in 2012

The Gators (5-2, 3-2 SEC) sealed Sumrall’s biggest win at Florida when linebacker Myles Graham forced a fumble by Texas star quarterback Arch Manning that nickelback Kanye Clark recovered at the Texas 39 with 1:58 remaining.

The play was another costly late turnover for Manning, who a week earlier threw two fourth-quarter interceptions during a 27-24 loss for then No. 1-Texas to unranked rival Oklahoma.

Manning had a chance to be a hero as he had been earlier the season against Ohio State.

With Florida leading 27-17 after an 11-yard touchdown run by Jadan Baugh, Manning’s 62-yard completion to freshman Emmett Mosley V on fourth-and-6 was followed by a 9-yard touchdown pass to Cam Coleman with 4:21 remaining.

A Gators’ three-and-out followed, but Manning’s fumble effectively handed the game to Florida and put the CFP hopes for Texas (4-2, 1-2) in serious jeopardy.

Meanwhile, a day that began with quarterback drama for the Gators ended in a quarterback controversy as Jones rose to the occasion to become the first Florida signal caller to pick up his first win on the road since Jesse Palmer in 1997 at Auburn.

Jones looked like a first-time starting quarterback much of the first half, but the 19-year-old found his rhythm as the first half came to a close.

A 17-yard completion to Dallas Wilson on fourth-and-12 from the Texas 36 saved the day for Florida and provided Jones a shot of confidence. A 14-yard run on the ensuing play and a 7-yard touchdown pass to tight end Lacota Dippre two snaps later cut the Longhorns’ lead to 17-10 at halftime.

After receiving the kickoff to open the second half, Jones marched the Gators 69 yards to tie the game at 17-17. On the 15-play drive, he was 5-of-5 on third down culminating with an 8-yard touchdown to Dippre with Texas nose tackle Hero Kanu in Jones’ face.

Meanwhile, Manning and the Longhorns’ attack lost their way after Texas staked a 10-0 lead against the SEC’s last-ranked defense.

Following those two drives, Texas managed one first down on its next six drives four times and committed a turnover on its next five drives.

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com

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NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

AUSTIN, Texas — A first-time starting quarterback and new-look defense carried Florida past Texas 27-24 and back into the College Football Playoff picture after a stunning upset on the No. 7 Longhorns’ home field.

Coach Jon Sumrall’s promising first season had turned sour after consecutive double-digit losses. Stunning No. 7 Texas as a 10.5-point underdog behind first-time starter Tramell Jones Jr. put the Gators ahead of schedule again with an Oct. 31 meeting with top-ranked Georgia in Atlanta looming.

Jones, stepping in for the injured Aaron Philo, helped lead Florida to its first victory on the road against an Top 10 team since the Gators beat Florida State in 2012

The Gators (5-2, 3-2 SEC) sealed Sumrall’s biggest win at Florida when linebacker Myles Graham forced a fumble by Texas star quarterback Arch Manning that nickelback Kanye Clark recovered at the Texas 39 with 1:58 remaining.

The play was another costly late turnover for Manning, who a week earlier threw two fourth-quarter interceptions during a 27-24 loss for then No. 1-Texas to unranked rival Oklahoma.

Manning had a chance to be a hero as he had been earlier the season against Ohio State.

With Florida leading 27-17 after an 11-yard touchdown run by Jadan Baugh, Manning’s 62-yard completion to freshman Emmett Mosley V on fourth-and-6 was followed by a 9-yard touchdown pass to Cam Coleman with 4:21 remaining.

A Gators’ three-and-out followed, but Manning’s fumble effectively handed the game to Florida and put the CFP hopes for Texas (4-2, 1-2) in serious jeopardy.

Meanwhile, a day that began with quarterback drama for the Gators ended in a quarterback controversy as Jones rose to the occasion to become the first Florida signal caller to pick up his first win on the road since Jesse Palmer in 1997 at Auburn.

Jones looked like a first-time starting quarterback much of the first half, but the 19-year-old found his rhythm as the first half came to a close.

A 17-yard completion to Dallas Wilson on fourth-and-12 from the Texas 36 saved the day for Florida and provided Jones a shot of confidence. A 14-yard run on the ensuing play and a 7-yard touchdown pass to tight end Lacota Dippre two snaps later cut the Longhorns’ lead to 17-10 at halftime.

After receiving the kickoff to open the second half, Jones marched the Gators 69 yards to tie the game at 17-17. On the 15-play drive, he was 5-of-5 on third down culminating with an 8-yard touchdown to Dippre with Texas nose tackle Hero Kanu in Jones’ face.

Meanwhile, Manning and the Longhorns’ attack lost their way after Texas staked a 10-0 lead against the SEC’s last-ranked defense.

Following those two drives, Texas managed one first down on its next six drives four times and committed a turnover on its next five drives.

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com

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