GAINESVILLE — The days leading up to Florida’s last visit to Texas featured athletic director Scott Stricklin’s vote of confidence for former coach Billy Napier, followed by a soul-crushing result.

This time, Jon Sumrall’s Gators seek a morale boost against the Longhorns Saturday in Austin, following consecutive double-digit losses that have turned Florida’s season on its head.

Two weeks since routing Ole Miss and entering the Top 10, the Gators (4-2, 2-2 SEC) dropped out of the Top 25 after South Carolina snapped an eight-game, 24-month SEC losing streak 38-19 during Florida’s homecoming.

“It’s my time to try to figure out how to help the team rebuild their confidence right now because they are a little bit shaken,” Sumrall said Monday.

Sumrall himself appeared rattled after last weekend’s loss.

The fiery 44-year-old lacked his customary self-assurance and had few answers after watching the Gamecocks score on five consecutive possessions to blow open a 10-10 game.

Meanwhile, Florida’s attack retreated as South Carolina overran the offensive line, stuffed tailback Jadan Baugh and terrorized quarterback Aaron Philo into committing two critical turnovers.

The defensive-minded Sumrall said he spent a little more time with a unit now ranked last in the SEC, but has no intention of usurping the responsiblities of embattled defensive coordinator Brad White.

“I’m not taking the defense over,” he said.

Now in his fifth season as a head coach, Sumrall said he might have been too engaged on that side of the ball during his time at Troy (2022-23) and Tulane (2024-25).

“I have to be involved in all facets of the game,” he said Monday. “I’m the head coach of the whole team. Offense, defense, kicking game, all of it. Every other aspect, too, operationally.

“I got my hands on everything.”

Sumrall’s efforts, though, are unlikely to produce overnight results.

The return of receiver Vernell Brown III would energize an offense that ended September averaging 53.5 points, but has scored just four touchdowns in 24 possessions during two losses in October with the sophomore star sidelined with a knee injury.

Brown’s absence has fueled outside speculation about his commitment and resilence, claims strongly dimissed by Sumrall. Brown practiced in a limited capacity Monday and likely will be listed as questionable Wednesday on the SEC’s initial availability reported.

“He’s trying like hell to play,” Sumrall said. “But at the same time, we have to be smart-tough, not dumb-tough. I could watch him on Friday run-through, and the first couple plays, I’m like, ‘That didn’t look very good.’”

With Brown unavailable, Philo has taken a step back during the past two games.

Philo ranked third among SEC passers through four games, but his passer rating has since dropped 21 points to 161.97, leaving him fifth. He accounted for eight touchdowns during a 4-0 start but has managed just three during the two losses, prompting calls for Sumrall to start backup Tramell Jones Jr.

“His performance wasn’t such that: you played so bad that you cost us by yourself,” Sumrall said. “There’s a lot of things around him that need to go better. Having said that, Tramell got reps today in practice. He’s going to continue to get reps.

“I’ve said this publicly: I think Tramell can be our starting quarterback here, and we can win football games.”

The Gators look to get back on track against a Texas team with its own issues and an unhappy fan base.

The Longhorns (4-1, 1-1) lost their No. 1 ranking after star quarterback Arch Manning threw two fourth-quarter interceptions, including a pick-six, during Saturday’s 27-24 loss to unranked rival Oklahoma.

But Steve Sarkisian’s squad is loaded on both sides of the ball, has something to prove and will have a crowd of more than 100,000 on hand at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium.

“Very talented team, it’s all over the tape when you watch it,” Sumrall said. “They got great players in every facet and they’re well-coached and going on the road’s never easy.”

Florida’s last trip to Austin ended in a 49-17 loss, with former walk-on quarterback Aidan Warner making his only career start. With the Gators trailing 42-0, cameras caught a despondent Stricklin staring at the scoreboard from the sideline.

Florida’s longtime AD hired Sumrall on Nov. 30 to replace Napier and chart a new course for the Gators. After making the turnaround look easier than expected, Sumrall now faces outside criticism, roster concerns and an unforgiving SEC schedule.

“We’re a work in progress,” he said. “Sometimes that progress is dysfunctional.”

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com

Up next

What: UF (4-2, 2-2 SEC) at No. 7 Texas (4-1, 1-1)

When: 12 p.m., Saturday

Where:Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin

TV: ABC

Favorite: Texas by 8.5 points

Source: Yahoo Sports