Defensive Deficiencies, Slow Offensive Start Doom Gators

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — It was a dark afternoon at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. In a game delayed in the first half due to inclement weather, there were Gators fans who probably wished it had never restarted.
 

The UF football team opened the 2024 Southeastern Conference slate seeking its first conference victory since October 2023. Those hopes were dashed early in the Gators’ lackluster performance in a 33-20 loss to Texas A&M.
 
In a first half reminiscent of Florida’s opening-week loss to Miami, the Gators didn’t seem to realize the whistle had blown. Never getting into a rhythm on offense and, more notably, struggling mightily on defense, Florida had no chance against the Aggies until it was too late.
 
The defense’s mission in football is to get the opposing team’s offense off the field without it giving up points. The Gators seemed to have a different plan early on Saturday.
 
The Aggies drove down the field on each of their first three possessions in the afternoon showdown, scoring 13 points, but that doesn’t tell the whole story.
 

Entering the first week of SEC play, Texas A&M starting quarterback Conner Weigman was listed as a game-time decision after suffering an AC sprain in his throwing shoulder. Marcel Reed got the nod for the Aggies, making his first career start.

For the second consecutive week, a first-time starter lit up The Swamp.

 

Three plays into Texas A&M’s opening drive, the Aggies faced second-and-21 on their 14-yard line. Reed dropped back, saw nothing open, and scrambled to his right with three Florida defenders directly ahead of him. Seconds later, he was walking out-of-bounds, having picked up 31 yards.

 

That was the tale of the first half. The Gators’ defense consistently put Texas A&M in challenging situations, forcing five third downs of eight or more yards. The Aggies would respond, though, picking up three of the five en route to 20 first-half points.

 

“It’s disgusting,” Florida head coach Billy Napier said of the ease Texas A&M seemed to have while rushing, especially while facing third downs. “Ultimately, it’s my fault.”

 

“As a defense, we need to be more resilient,” cornerback Devin Moore added, detailing the Gators’ early issues on later downs.

 

One of the most notable issues on the Florida defense could be found in its inability to set the edge and contain the quarterback. Throughout the evening, Reed was able to break the pocket, extend plays either on the ground or through the air….