COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) — Marcel Reed threw for 234 yards and a touchdown and ran for another score as No. 5 Texas A&M continued its perfect start with a 34-17 win over Florida on Saturday night.
It’s the Aggies’ first 6-0 start since 2016 and they improve to 3-0 in Southeastern Conference play.
“It doesn’t mean anything if we don’t finish,” coach Mike Elko said. “It’s been the word since the offseason. It’s the only thing we’ve talked about. We’re really excited about where we are, but we’re not getting anywhere yet… We’re focused one week at a time, one game at a time, and we’re focused on finishing every opportunity we get.”
Florida (2-4, 1-2) was unable to build on last week’s 29-21 upset over then-No. 9 Texas snapped a three-game skid as coach Billy Napier fell to 0-14 on the road against ranked opponents.
Texas A&M scored touchdowns on its first three possessions but was only able to get a field goal after that until Robin Owens scored on a 2-yard run that made the score 31-17 with about 4 1/2 minutes left in the game.
Reid said his job is to make sure the offense stays upbeat even when things aren’t going well.
“As a midfielder, I have to stay calm and keep everyone calm,” he said. “It’s not always going to be sunshine and rainbows. You want to score on every possession, but it doesn’t work that way all the time.”
This score came after Florida was unable to capitalize on a turnover and Texas A&M took more than eight minutes off the clock on a drive. The Aggies led by 7 when Jordan Castle intercepted Reed in the end zone on the first play of the fourth quarter. DJ Lagway’s pass was deflected and fell incomplete on fourth-and-6 near midfield to give the ball back to Texas A&M to start the drive that ended in a score by Owens.
Napier was asked about the decision not to play fourth down.
“I think at this point the analytics would say you would,” he said. “But in general, yeah that’s what you’re thinking.”
Deon Hayes sacked Laguay and forced a fumble that the Aggies recovered on the first play of Florida’s ensuing drive and they nailed a field goal to seal the victory.
“I don’t accept losing. I don’t like it,” Laguay said. “We can’t be comfortable with this. It’s unacceptable. And I feel like there’s a lot of men responding to that, and it’s unacceptable, and I’m tired of it, and I can’t go on like this. We have to fix it.”
The Gators looked good early and were tied at 14 at the end of the first quarter before Texas A&M outscored them 20-3 the rest of the way.
Lagway threw for 245 yards with two touchdowns and Vernell Brown III had six receptions for 77 yards as the Gators faced their fourth straight opponent ranked in the top 10 in the AP Poll.
The Aggies had 183 yards rushing a week after running for a season-high 303 yards despite starter Le’Veon Moss leaving before halftime with an apparent injury. Owens ran for 51 yards and Moss had five carries for 46 yards and a touchdown before limping off the field in the second quarter.
Brown fumbled early in the third quarter and Torrian York recovered it at the Florida 29. Texas A&M couldn’t move the ball and settled for a 26-yard field goal that made the score 24-14.
Florida cut the deficit to 24-17 with a 45-yard field goal with about seven minutes left in the third quarter.
Lagway put the Gators ahead early with a 1-yard TD pass to Amir Jackson on their first drive.
The Aggies evened it up when Reid rushed eight yards for a score on the second play and first possession. Mario Craver’s 67-yard touchdown grab snatched that score.
Texas A&M took a 14-7 lead on Reed’s 22-yard pass to Jamarion Morrow later in the first quarter.
It was tied again after Lagway found Dallas Wilson for a 6-yard touchdown on the ensuing drive. That touchdown came two plays after Lagway connected with Brown for a 31-yard gain.
Moss ran through a defender and rushed 22 yards for the score that gave A&M a 21-14 lead early in the second quarter.
Ready meals
The Aggies must at least move on one spot after No. 3 Oregon’s loss at home to Indiana on Saturday. The loss drops Napier to 21-23 in four seasons in Gainesville with a tough upcoming schedule that includes games against No. 10 Georgia and No. 4 Ole Miss.
Third closing down
Texas A&M’s defense has dominated third down since the start of SEC play, allowing opponents to convert just 2 of 33 chances. The Aggies limited Florida to 1 of 10 on third down conversions on Saturday after Mississippi State converted just 1 of 10 chances last week. Those performances came after it prevented Auburn from converting any of its 13 chances in its conference opener.
Large crowds
The Aggies had a crowd of 105,086 on Saturday night for their 10th straight game with at least 100,000 fans.
the next
Florida: Hosts Mississippi State next Saturday.
Texas A&M: At Arkansas next Saturday.
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