With No. 5 Longhorns coming off of a close 27-24 win against Vanderbilt and a 30-15 loss to Georgia, they now prepare to host an early SEC battle with the Florida Gators at 11 a.m. this Saturday. Florida has had an up-and-down season, sitting at 12th in the SEC with a conference record of 2–3 and a season record of 4–4. Traveling to the Horns’ home turf, the Gators now look to improve their 1–1 away record. Here are a few players aiming to give Texas trouble:
Trikweze Bridges – defensive back
Redshirt senior Bridges will be a formidable weapon against the Longhorns’ offense, which has been lagging during the past several weeks. Bridges boasts 41 total tackles for the season, playing in all eight games and starting in the last three. No quarterback looks forward to facing off against Bridges, who also has two forced fumbles and snagged one interception to add on to his list of achievements for this season.
Montrell Johnson Jr. – running back
Senior running back Johnson bounced back from a knee injury during the Gators’ game against Tennessee. Starting in six games this season, Johnson has run 373 yards in 70 carries, rushing into the endzone four times. He also has 13 receptions for 64 yards. Averaging about five yards per carry through the season, Johnson is an impact player capable of weathering down the Texas defense — as long as he makes a full comeback from his injury.
Elijhah Badger – wide receiver
With 24 receptions for 560 yards and two touchdowns, Badger has played all eight games during his senior year for the Gators and has started the last six. Badger is a powerful receiver and averages 23 yards per catch, giving the Texas secondary plenty to keep its hands full.
Aidan Warner – quarterback
While Warner has impressed Florida coaches during his recent weeks as a third-string quarterback, his arm remains to be developed. With Lagway succumbing to a hamstring injury with over four minutes left in the second quarter against Georgia, Warner stepped in to take his place and completed seven passes in 22 attempts for 66 yards and threw an interception. With another week at the starting position under his belt, Warner’s chemistry with his wide receivers will be tested against a heavy Texas secondary.
