Florida quarterback DJ Lagway (2) passes in the course of the first half an NCAA soccer sport in opposition to Texas in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, October 4, 2025. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun] By no means thoughts that Florida is 2-3 and has but to win on the highway this yr. In keeping with Texas A&M coach Mike Elko, his fifth-ranked group shall be going through its hardest opponent this yr when the Gators invade Faculty Station for a Southeastern Convention matchup Saturday evening. “By far and away, essentially the most proficient group we have performed this yr,” Elko mentioned. “They have a wonderful group of gamers. They’ve performed a really aggressive schedule. They’ve performed in two top-10 environments already, so they’ll be well-versed in what that is like.” That being mentioned, there’s a motive the Aggies (5-0, 2-0 Southeastern Convention) are sturdy favorites and ranked within the high 5. They’ve confirmed they’ll win any form of sport, whether or not it is a blowout (Utah State), a shootout (Notre Dame) or a defensive slugfest (Auburn). A 31-9 residence win over Mississippi State final week most likely developments nearer to the Auburn sport than the Utah State contest. It was 7-3 at halftime and 14-3 after three quarters earlier than Texas A&M lastly received a working margin with two fast fourth-quarter touchdowns. The protection has carried the Aggies by the groups’ first two SEC video games. Texas A&M allowed solely 19 factors complete, routinely successful on first and second downs earlier than locking down on third down. Opponents have transformed simply 1 of 23 the previous two weeks. “A big a part of our success is we have been very a lot in advantageous third-down conditions,” Elko mentioned. “A group goes first-and-10, second-and-6, third-and-2, your third-down share is clearly not going to almost be what it has been for us.” The Texas A&M offense is paced by quarterback Marcel Reed, who has accomplished 59.7 p.c of his passes for 1,256 yards and 11 touchdowns with three interceptions. Le’Veon Moss has added 343 yards and 5 scores on the bottom. In the meantime, Florida (2-3, 1-1) snapped a three-game dropping streak final week with a formidable 29-21 residence win over then-No. 9 Texas, a outcome that despatched the Longhorns plummeting all the way in which out of the High 25. Sophomore quarterback DJ Lagway shredded the Texas protection for 298 yards on 21-of-28 passing, throwing for 2 touchdowns. The Gators’ protection allowed simply 52 yards on the bottom and compelled Arch Manning to go it alone, sacking him six occasions and intercepting two passes to offset 263 yards and two scores. It was a giant win for embattled coach Billy Napier, who landed again within the scorching seat after consecutive losses to South Florida, then-No. 3 LSU and then-No. 4 Miami (Fla.). After getting the response to adversity he wished, he’s desirous to see how the group handles success in opposition to a top-five opponent on the highway. “Acquired to show round and play an excellent group,” Napier mentioned. “That is an extremely proficient (Texas A&M) group. Huge, lengthy and quick. A really powerful, bodily group. We respect the opponent, clearly. “The quarterback is ready to make unannounced performs. It will be an incredible problem, and we’ll must be at our greatest. It is what you’ll count on on this league.” Lagway has thrown for 988 yards and 7 touchdowns however has additionally tossed seven interceptions. Jadan Baugh leads the bottom sport with 396 yards and three scores. The Aggies personal a 4-3 collection lead, together with a 33-20 victory final yr in Gainesville, Fla. –Discipline Stage Media
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Mike Elko, No. 5 Texas A&M cautious of sub-.500 Florida
