AUSTIN – The No. 5 Texas Longhorns entered halftime of Saturday’s SEC game against the Florida Gators in Austin with a 35-0 lead thanks to four first-half passing touchdowns from quarterback Quinn Ewers.

Ewers finished the first half 17 of 25 passing for 297 yards and the four scores. His first two scores came on wide-open completions to Matthew Golden and Gunnar Helm, both of whom were able to waltz into the end zone.

He then connected with running back Quintrevion Wisner for a 50-yard touchdown on a screen pass before finding Golden for another score on a 32-yard pass just before halftime. Jaydon Blue set up the final touchdown of the first half with a five-yard score.

The Gators were without starting quarterback DJ Lagway, who was a game-time decision with a hamstring injury. Aidan Warner got the start and went 7-of-12 for 64 yards, no touchdowns and one pick in the first half.

Ewers led an opening drive that appeared to be surgical until the Longhorns moved outside the red zone. A seven-yard loss on a Wisner carry set Texas back before Ewers was sacked on the next play. Bert Auburn then missed a 51-yard field goal wide right.

Florida running back Jadan Baugh picked up a first down on a nine-yard carry, but the Gators were forced to punt a few plays later.

From this point on, the Longhorns were able to create early separation.

After Ewers scrambled for nine yards on 3rd-and-10, the Longhorns opted to go for it on 4th-and-1 at their own 27-yard line as Jerrick Gibson raced up the middle to move the chains. On the next play, Texas executed a nifty reverse that released Isaiah Bond for a 44-yard gain down the right sideline. Two plays later, Golden broke loose for a 29-yard touchdown to put Texas on the board.

Florida looked set to go three-and-out on the ensuing drive before Ja’Kobi Jackson fumbled at the Gator 23-yard line. Texas edge Trey Moore recovered to put the Longhorns in top position. Two plays later, Ewers found Helm open for a 22-yard touchdown to increase the lead to 14-0.

After the two teams traded punts, the Gators found momentum on their biggest play of the day when Chimere Dike got open in the secondary for a 39-yard gain. Texas’ defense held its ground in the red zone and ultimately held the Gators without points after a missed 30-yard field goal.

Both sides scored again. When Texas got the ball back, Ewers found Wisner for a 50-yard catch-and-run touchdown on the first play of the drive to extend the lead to 21-0 with 6:04 to play in the second quarter.

The Gators wanted to get points before halftime, but a holding penalty and a big third-down sack by Texas defenseman Jaylon Guilbeau forced Florida to punt.

The Longhorns then got a big 45-yard catch-and-run from Blue, which Golden set up for a 32-yard touchdown a few plays later. Texas got the ball back immediately after Warner threw a pick to Ty’Anthony Smith. Blue then scored a few times later.

Florida gets the kickoff for the second half.

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