Florida football went from top 10 in the country to unranked in two weeks and needed a win to get back on track in Week 7. They traveled to Texas and faced the Longhorns and did just that with a 27-24 upset victory.
The Gators walked into Austin with their starting quarterback, Aaron Philo, banged up, along with star wide receiver Vernell Brown III, who continues to be held on the sideline with a knee strain. Second-string running back Duke Clark was also out with a left ankle injury sustained during the first half against South Carolina.
In Philo's absence, the offense was led by second-year quarterback Tramell Jones Jr., who had been in a position battle with the Georgia Tech transfer until just before the first game of the season.
The Orange
and Blue opened up the game slowly with a new signal caller in place — one who was making his first-ever collegiate start — but once he settled in, the offense moved like a veteran-led unit. As a result, Jones' efforts earned him our Gators Wire offensive player of the game honors for Week 7.
While his stats didn't pop off the screen, he did what any coach would want: he didn't cost the Gators the ball game. Jones finished the game with 155 yards, two passing touchdowns, and no interceptions. He also added 41 yards on the ground and a game-sealing first-down run as well.
Not only did Jones avoid throwing any interceptions, but he also didn't have a turnover-worthy play, according to Pro Football Focus, further showing the level of poise and maturity that he displayed.
His performance stood up against some of the best in the SEC: PFF graded Jones' passing as the fourth-highest among quarterbacks who threw more than 30 times, and just in the game against Texas, he had the highest offensive grade among all players on the offensive side of the ball.
Jones played a complete game against a legit top-10 team in the country. With the Gators entering their BYE Week, Jon Sumrall will have questions to answer about who his signal caller will be against the Georgia Bulldogs.
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Tramell Jones Jr. earns offensive player of the game in upset victory
