GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Backup quarterback Marcel Reed accounted for three touchdowns in his first collegiate start and Texas A&M dominated Florida 33-20 on Saturday in what may have been coach Billy Napier’s final game with the Gators.
Reed, filling in for injured starter Conner Weigman, threw two touchdown passes and ran for a score as the Aggies won a road game for the first time in nearly three years. Texas A&M (2-1, 1-0 Southeastern Conference) had dropped 10 straight on the road.
This one will go down as a signature win for first-year coach Mike Elko and could end up being Napier’s swan song with the Gators (1-2, 0-1).
Florida looked inept on both sides of the ball and overmatched for the second time this season in the Swamp. The first one, against Miami, turned up the heat on Napier. The latest one could result in Napier getting the boot.
Napier fell to 12-16 in Gainesville, including 12 losses in his last 15 games against power-conference opponents. This was his seventh consecutive setback in those games, including four at home.
Napier is now 10-6 at Florida Field, giving him more losses in the Swamp in two-plus seasons than Steve Spurrier (68-5) and Urban Meyer (35-5) had in their highly successful stints in Gainesville.
If Florida does fire Napier, it would owe him roughly $27 million. His 28-game tenure would be the shortest in 100 years for the program; James Alward Van Fleet coached 19 games over the 1923-24 seasons, went 12-3-4 and then left to continue his miliary service and eventually became an Army general.
The low point for Napier may have come at halftime Saturday. As the teams were leaving the field, Napier was shown on big screens for a pre-taped, public service announcement to prevent drinking and driving. Napier was wildly booed during it. He was booed again as he ran into the locker room following a TV interview.
Florida showed some life to start the third quarter. Trailing 20-0, Graham Mertz connected with Elijhah Badger for a 14-yard score. But Reed answered two plays later, hitting Cyrus Allen on a wheel route for 73 yards.
On the ensuing possession, Bryce Anderson intercepted Mertz’s tipped pass and returned it 45 yards for a 33-7 lead. Anderson shushed the crowd as he neared the goal line. The Florida faithful had long started to empty the Swamp, clearly done with Napier.
Emmitt’s Pick
Florida great and Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith served as the home team’s honorary “Mr. Two Bits” before kickoff. But he picked the Aggies to win on SEC Nation because his son, EJ, plays for Texas A&M.
It was a somewhat awkward arrangement for Smith, whose family members wore half-Florida, half-Texas A&M jerseys. Smith is a spokesman for Narcan Nasal Spray, which also served as the primary game sponsor. Smith wore a black Narcan shirt while watching the first quarter from the end zone.
Mertz and highly touted freshman DJ Lagway
Mertz and Lagway alternated series at QB. Both struggled early and threw TD passes in the third. Lagway was intercepted for the second time late in the fourth.
Florida’s defense was the biggest issue. The Gators allowed 302 total yards in the first half and were gashed for 310 yards rushing by the end of the game.
Lagway played at Willis High School in the Houston area and was named MaxPreps National Player of the Year last season.
The Takeaway
Texas A&M: After a pedestrian offensive showing against Notre Dame in the opener, Reed pumped some life into the Aggies attack and could give Elko a daunting decision to make moving forward.
Florida: It felt over for Napier after the season-opening loss to Miami. It seems more like when than if now. Do the Gators wait for a bye week or pull the rip cord after another home embarrassment.
Up Next
Texas A&M: Hosts Bowling Green next Saturday.
Florida: Leaves home for the first time this season when it plays at Mississippi State next Saturday.