No. 7 Texas Blows 14-Point Lead in 27-24 Florida Loss: Recap & Takeaways

No. 7 Texas blew a 14-point lead Saturday at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, surrendering 24 unanswered points before an Arch Manning fumble sealed a 27-24 loss to Florida.

The Longhorns (4-2) led 17-3 in the second quarter, but offensive struggles, two failed fourth-down conversions and a defense that couldn't get off the field allowed the Gators (5-2) to take control.

A week after Oklahoma erased a 10-point halftime deficit, Texas suffered another three-point loss. This time, against a Florida team starting backup quarterback Tramell Jones Jr. for the first time.

Texas opened with a seven-play, 75-yard drive, capped by Raleek Brown's 32-yard touchdown run.

Manning connected with Ryan Wingo and Emmett Mosley V on the next possession, while Hollywood Smothers added a 14-yard rush. But the Longhorns stalled inside the Florida 20 and settled for Gianni Spetic's 38-yard field goal.

Texas led 10-0 after Florida punted twice.

1. Raleek breaks loose - Brown delivered the explosive run Texas needed.

2. Arch came out sharp - Manning moved the offense into scoring position on consecutive possessions.

3. Points left behind - A four-yard loss on third down turned a promising drive into three points.

Florida's Patrick Durkin kicked a 45-yard field goal before Ryan Niblett returned a punt 63 yards for a touchdown, putting Texas ahead 17-3.

The offense couldn't build on it. After driving from its own 3 to midfield, Texas went for fourth-and-one. Smothers lost a yard.

Jones converted fourth-and-12 with a 17-yard pass to Dallas Wilson, then found Lacota Dippre for a seven-yard touchdown with 18 seconds left.

Texas led 17-10 at halftime.

1. Special teams strikes back - After last week's blocked punt, Texas got seven points without its offense touching the ball.

2. Fourth-and-one backfires - The failed attempt handed Florida favorable field position.

3. Jones wasn't rattled - Florida's first-time starter delivered a touchdown drive before halftime.

READ MORE: Texas Needs Arch Manning, Young Stars To Step Up Against Florida

Florida took the second-half kickoff and held the ball for 8:03. Jones finished a 15-play, 69-yard drive with his second touchdown pass to Dippre, tying the game at 17.

Texas responded with two three-and-outs totaling eight yards. Colin Simmons' 11-yard sack forced a Florida punt between them, but the Longhorns couldn't capitalize.

The Gators regained possession with 2:04 left and carried the drive into the fourth.

1. Eight minutes disappeared - Florida consumed more than half the quarter on one possession.

2. Eight yards. Seriously. - Texas ran six offensive plays and went nowhere.

3. Simmons needed help - Even a drive-ending sack couldn't wake up the offense.

READ MORE: Texas Faces Dangerous Florida Playmakers In Key SEC Showdown

Texas lost Simmons to an apparent ankle injury early in the quarter. He was later carted off and didn't return.

Durkin's 28-yard field goal capped a 14-play possession and gave Florida a 20-17 lead.

Manning moved Texas near midfield, but a fourth-and-two run lost three yards. Six plays later, Jadan Baugh scored from 11 yards out.

Down 27-17 with 6:22 left, Manning connected with Mosley for 62 yards on fourth-and-six, then found Cam Coleman for a nine-yard touchdown.

The defense forced a three-and-out. Niblett's 17-yard punt return gave Texas the ball at its own 46 with 2:32 left.

Brown gained two yards. Manning was sacked and lost a fumble on the next play. Florida recovered and ran out the clock.

1. Another fourth-down failure - Texas' turnover on downs set up Florida's final touchdown.

2. Arch almost answered - His 62-yard strike sparked a late rally, but the fumble ended it.

3. Twenty-four unanswered. At home. - Florida turned a 17-3 deficit into a 27-17 lead.

Manning finished 14-of-20 for 173 yards and a touchdown. Texas rushed for 99 yards and allowed five sacks. Jones threw two touchdowns without an interception, while Baugh added 91 yards and a score on 25 carries.

Two consecutive 27-24 losses have dropped Texas to 4-2, with Ole Miss coming to Austin next Saturday.

Florida brought a first-time starting quarterback to Austin and left with a win. Steve Sarkisian has a week to explain how.