Tag: Gators

Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) throws an interception during the first half at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL on Friday, December 20, 2024 in the 2024 Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]

DJ Lagway, Florida pull away from Tulane to win Gasparilla Bowl

Posted on | by Field Level Media

DJ Lagway threw a touchdown pass, Trey Smack kicked four field goals and Florida’s defense dominated in a 33-8 victory over Tulane in the Gasparilla Bowl on Friday in Tampa, Fla.

Lagway completed 22 of 35 passes for 305 yards with two interceptions and improved to 6-1 as a starter as the Gators (8-5) won their fourth consecutive game.

The Gators allowed just 194 yards to the Green Wave (9-5), who lost their third consecutive game. Florida had three interceptions of Ty Thompson, who completed 11 of 29 for 125 yards in his first college start in place of regular-season starter Darian Mensah, who transferred to Duke.

It was 9-0 Florida on three field goals after Smack kicked a 24-yarder with 9:11 left in the third quarter.

On the fourth play of the ensuing possession, Thompson was intercepted by Alfonzo Allen Jr., giving Florida the ball at its 40. Six plays later the Gators finally reached the end zone when Lagway’s 7-yard pass to Tony Livingston produced a touchdown and a 16-0 lead at the end of the third.

Florida got the ball back at the Tulane 47 when Thompson was stopped for a 2-yard loss on fourth and 2. Early in the fourth quarter, Smack kicked a 30-yard field goal that increased the lead to 19-0.

The Green Wave turned the ball over on downs again at their 34, and four plays later KD Daniels picked up Lagway’s fumble and advanced it 27 yards for a 26-0 lead.

Anthony Rubio rushed 9 yards for the Gators’ final touchdown with 1:11 remaining, and Thompson threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to Mario Williams and added a two-point pass with 29 seconds left.

On Tulane’s first offensive play, Thompson was intercepted by Trikweze Bridges, leading to Smack’s 34-yard field goal and a 3-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

On the second play of the second quarter, the Green Wave’s Patrick Durkin was wide right on a 35-yard field goal attempt and the Gators drove to Smack’s 44-yard field goal and a 6-0 halftime lead.

–Field Level Media

Nov 18, 2023; Columbia, Missouri, USA; A general view of a Florida Gators helmet against the Missouri Tigers during the game at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Florida flips 4-star USC LB commit Ty Jackson

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Four-star linebacker and Florida native Ty Jackson flipped his Class of 2025 commitment from Southern California to the Gators on Monday.

The decision comes days after Jackson visited the Gators as they notched a 24-17 win over then-No. 9 Ole Miss to secure bowl eligibility. This marks the second time in coach Billy Napier’s three-year stint that the Gators will play in a bowl game.

The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Jackson, who grew up in Loxahatchee, Fla., is ranked No. 124 overall in the 247Sports Composite and is the third-highest rated commitment in Florida’s Class of 2025. He originally committed to the Trojans in September.

The Gators have been busy making moves in the lead-up to the early signing period, in particular making life more difficult for their in-state rivals Florida State. Within the past eight days, Florida snatched four-star quarterback Tramell Jones Jr. and three-star offensive lineman Daniel Pierre Louis away from the Seminoles.

The Gators also lured three-star defensive lineman Stephon Shivers away from Georgia.

Florida (6-4, 4-4 SEC) is coming off back-to-back wins over ranked teams (LSU and Ole Miss) as they head into their final regular season game Saturday at Florida State.

–Field Level Media

Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier gives an injured Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) a hug after the game at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, FL on Saturday, November 2, 2024. The Bulldogs defeated the Gators 34-20. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]

Florida commits to Billy Napier for ’25; Gators prepare walk-on QB to start at Texas

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Florida head coach Billy Napier was thrown a life raft by athletic director Scott Stricklin on Thursday when he ended speculation about a coaching change by publicly committing to Napier’s return next season.

“UF’s commitment to excellence and a championship-caliber program is unwavering,” Stricklin said in his statement. “In these times of change across college athletics, we are dedicated to a disciplined, stable approach that is focused on long-term sustained success for Gator athletes, recruits and fans.

“I am confident that Billy will meet the challenges and opportunities ahead. We will work alongside him to support any changes needed to elevate Gator football. As college athletics evolves, UF is committed to embracing innovation and strategy, ensuring the Gators thrive in today’s competitive landscape.”

Napier has the Gators at 4-4 entering this week but there’s tough sledding ahead in the SEC with games against No. 5 Texas, No. 14 LSU, No. 16 Ole Miss and the annual rivalry game with Florida State remaining. Napier is 15-18 as Florida head coach and was hired before the start of the 2022 season to replace Dan Mullen.

There are complications for Florida parting with Napier now because the university is operating without a president, and the head coach has a buyout of $20 million.

Florida faces the Longhorns in Austin on Saturday, and the Gators are getting walk-on Aidan Warner ready to make the start because of injuries to Graham Mertz and DJ Lagway.

Lagway left last week’s loss to Georgia and was replaced by Warner, a transfer from Yale. The freshman completed 7 of 22 passes with an interception and was sacked twice.

“I think he’s gotten a little better each day,” Napier said of Warner’s progress. “I think he’s gotten a little more comfortable. He’s obviously taking a few more reps than he normally does.”

The Gators are giving Lagway, who is returning to his home state of Texas, every opportunity to bounce back from a hamstring injury. After being carted off the field against Georgia, Lagway watched the second half from the sideline propped up by crutches.

Asked for an update Wednesday, Napier said Lagway’s situation is “obviously touch and go. Look, the guy’s giving it his best shot.”

But he practiced in what Napier classified as a “limited” capacity on Wednesday and Napier maintained his statement earlier in the week that the leg injury is “less significant” than the team feared.

Mertz is out for the season with a left knee injury. He shared the reps with Lagway before a ligament tear in a loss to Tennessee last month ended his college career.

Saturday would be the fourth college football appearance for Warner. He did not play as a freshman at Yale and is considered a redshirt freshman after compiling 24 career touchdowns at Winter Park (Fla.) high school.

A five-star recruit who starred at Willis, Texas, Lagway had 58 TD passes as a senior and left high school with 129 total touchdowns (100 TD passes). He was the 2023 National Gatorade Player of the Year, 2023 Bobby Dodd National Back (High School Heisman) of the Year, 2023 MaxPreps Player of the Year, 2023 Elite 11 National High School Quarterback of the Year, 2023 National Quarterback Club High School Quarterback of the Year.

Lagway completed 2 of 6 passes for 47 yards and a TD last week and four rushing attempts for 18 yards before he left the game. He is 56 of 92 for 1,071 yards passing with six touchdowns and five interceptions this season. Lagway rushed for 114 yards on 37 carries.

Sophomore wide receiver Eugene Wilson III is also out for the season, Napier said. Wilson, the son of former Illinois safety and 2023 Patriots second-round pick, had hip surgery on Tuesday and faces a four-month recovery. Wilson had 19 receptions for 266 yards and a touchdown this season.

–Field Level Media

Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) fends off Georgia Bulldogs defensive back KJ Bolden (4) during the second quarter of an NCAA college football matchup Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Georgia Bulldogs defeated the Florida Gators 34-20. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]

Injury to Florida QB DJ Lagway ‘less significant’

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The injury sustained by Florida quarterback DJ Lagway is “less significant” than originally thought and the freshman has a chance to play this week, Gators head coach Billy Napier said Monday.

Lagway exited Saturday’s loss to Georgia with a hamstring injury and was carted off the field. Napier at the time called it a significant injury.

“The good news is we have positive information on that front,” Napier told reporters Monday. “We do think that the injury is less significant, we do think there’s a pathway for recovery and a return.”

The Gators (4-4, 2-3 SEC) play at No. 5 Texas (7-1, 3-1) on Saturday.

Lagway suffered the injury in the second quarter and remained on the turf while being attended to. He threw for 47 yards and a touchdown before exiting.

“He’s got a hamstring. Pretty significant one,” Napier said then.

He was replaced by Aidan Warner, who completed 7 of 22 passes for 66 yards and an interception. The Gators led Georgia 13-6 at halftime before the Bulldogs went on to win 34-20.

Lagway has thrown for 1,071 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions since taking over for season starter Graham Mertz, who tore his ACL on Oct. 12 against Tennessee.

–Field Level Media

Sep 14, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed (10) throws the ball under pressure from Florida Gators defensive back Jason Marshall Jr. (3) during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

Marcel Reed stars as Texas A&M sinks Florida, ends road skid

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Marcel Reed engineered and scored on a 99-yard drive and threw two touchdowns in his first career start Saturday, leading Texas A&M to a thorough 33-20 Southeastern Conference win over Florida in Gainesville, Fla.

With Conner Weigman (shoulder sprain) unavailable, Reed was impressive in going 11-for-17 passing for 178 yards for the Aggies (2-1, 1-0 SEC), who snapped a 10-game road losing streak. He also rushed 13 times for 83 yards and a touchdown.

Le’Veon Moss had 110 yards on 18 carries as Texas A&M ground out 310 yards on 55 attempts in new coach Mike Elko’s first SEC victory.

Quarterbacks Graham Mertz and DJ Lagway alternated series for the Gators (1-2, 0-1), who lost their seventh straight game against an FBS school.

Mertz started and went 12 of 15 for 195 yards with a TD and an interception, while Lagway completed 6 of 13 for 54 yards, a TD and two interceptions.

Elijhah Badger (five catches, 94 yards) and Chimere Dike (six for 91) caught TD passes, but Florida played without leading receiver Eugene Wilson III due to a reported lower-body injury.

Reed, a true freshman, guided his squad on a 14-play, 62-yard drive on the first series that ended with Randy Bond’s 31-yard field goal.

The Nashville native added a 29-yard scoring strike to Theo Melin Ohrstrom on the next possession, but the game was soon interrupted by a 47-minute lightning delay.

Playing in all-white uniforms and white helmets for the first time since 2017, the Aggies made it 13-0 on Bond’s kick from 49 yards with 9:47 left in the first half.

Starting at their own 1, the Aggies used 15 plays and 7:15 to move 99 yards, with Reed plunging in on a sneak for a 20-0 halftime lead.

The visitors held a 302-73 total yardage advantage in the first half, including 197-7 on the ground.

Mertz led Florida on a 75-yard drive to open the second half, hitting Badger from 14 yards, but Reed found Cyrus Allen for 73 yards to make it 26-7.

The Aggies’ Bryce Anderson grabbed Mertz’s deflected pass and raced 45 yards to paydirt with 5:29 left in the third.

Lagway capped his fourth series with a 7-yard scoring toss to Dike, and Ja’Kobi Jackson rushed for a 2-yard TD to finish the scoring.

–Field Level Media

Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) throws a pass during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, September 7, 2024 against the Samford Bulldogs. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]

Florida facing a QB conundrum against Texas A&M

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Texas A&M and Florida will meet for just the seventh time in the schools’ history Saturday afternoon when they open Southeastern Conference play in Gainesville, Fla.

A few similarities exist between the teams, who last played when Florida went to College Station in 2022 and claimed a 41-24 victory by outscoring the Aggies 21-0 in the second half.

Both squads sit at 1-1 after dropping their openers against ranked teams. However, both rebounded Saturday with resounding wins over weaker FCS competition. The Aggies routed McNeese 52-10, and the Gators did the same vs. Samford, 45-7.

They went about their blowout wins in different ways, though. While Texas A&M grinded out 333 rushing yards on just 38 carries, Florida true freshman quarterback DJ Lagway threw for 456 yards and three touchdowns.

With starter Graham Mertz (concussion) knocked out of the Gators’ 41-17 loss to Miami in Week 1, Lagway excelled in his first college start, leading to an obvious question for coach Billy Napier: Who gets the nod against the Aggies?

“That’s where the gamesmanship is,” said Napier on Monday, unwilling to tip his hand. “I don’t want to put the playbook on the streets here. Ultimately, (DJ’s) one of our better players. We’re going to give him an opportunity to impact the game and contribute to the team. That’s our intention.”

Lagway, a product of Willis, Texas, shattered Chris Leak’s 2003 record for single-game passing yards by a freshman. Lagway completed 18 of 25 passes and averaged 18.2 yards per attempt.

“Both these players can make our team better,” Napier said.

Texas A&M first-year coach Mike Elko was the defensive coordinator under Jimbo Fisher from 2018-21 before taking the Duke head coaching job in 2022 and coaching there for two seasons.

“You kind of come up with a plan on how you think you want to handle both kids,” Elko said of the Mertz/Lagway conundrum. “You have to prepare like both of them are going to play the whole game. … But I also think you can’t come up with two different game plans because I think the kids will get paralyzed by volume.”

In a series that started in 1962 and includes the 1977 Sun Bowl, the teams have split their six meetings.

–Field Level Media

Florida Gators wide receiver Kahleil Jackson (22) stretches for a catch while running pass routes during Fall practice at Sanders Practice Fields in Gainesville, FL on Thursday, August 8, 2024. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]

Florida WR Kahleil Jackson has knee surgery, done for year

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Florida wide receiver Kahleil Jackson underwent surgery for a knee injury Friday, with On3 and 247Sports reporting Jackson is out for the rest of the season.

Jackson’s father, former Florida star wideout Willie Jackson, told On3 that the surgery was necessary in order for his son to “try to get back next season.”

Kahleil Jackson caught one pass for 13 yards for the Gators in their season-opening 41-17 loss to Miami last week.

It is the younger Jackson’s fourth year at Florida. After minimal playing time in 2021 and 2022, he hauled in 21 receptions for 251 yards and a touchdown in 2023.

–Field Level Media

Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier prepares to exit the tunnel with his team during the season opener at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, August 31, 2024 against the University of Miami Hurricanes in the first half. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]

Florida coach Billy Napier, Gators dealing with ‘consequence of errors’

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Florida head coach Billy Napier played in the FCS, and that’s only one small reason he’s staring directly at Samford and leaving the periphery among other distractions.

“We’ve had a couple days of practice, obviously players are anxious to get back on the field and get this taste out of our mouth. I do think we’ve had a good week,” Napier said.

Napier and Samford coach Chris Hatcher have known each other since Napier, a Georgia native who played at Furman, picked him up as a Clemson assistant before Hatcher spoke at a coaching clinic. Hatcher is in his 10th season at Samford and has a record of 178-100 in 24 total seasons as a coach, which includes time at Georgia Southern, Valdosta State and Murray State.

While he’s not concerned with his own team’s resilience, Napier said he does want to help zero in on focus areas as players fight their way through the letdown of the opening home loss to Miami.

Napier said it’s critical to “remain objective” after one game.

“It’s critical you shape the narrative to some degree,” Napier said. “Ultimately we’ve got to go prove it on the grass. We’ve got another opportunity this Saturday.”

Napier said coverage and pass rush didn’t work together as they should in the loss to Miami and he wants to see more discipline as it relates to penalties. The Gators had two critical flags in the first half that helped amplify the Hurricanes’ momentum.

“We’ve experienced the consequence of making errors when it comes to the margin of error when you play a really good opponent,” Napier said. “Give some credit to Miami. I thought the quarterback (Cam Ward) had a terrific day.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 18, 2023; Columbia, Missouri, USA; A general view of a Florida Gators helmet against the Missouri Tigers prior to a game at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Florida lands Ivy League DPOY Joey Slackman from Penn

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Penn defensive tackle Joey Slackman announced Sunday night he is transferring to Florida.

It’s a big get for the Gators’ defense, as Slackman won the Bushnell Cup as the Ivy League’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2023. Slackman tallied 50 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, four sacks, four hurries and a blocked field goal over just nine games.

Slackman has one more year of NCAA eligibility.

“It was the place where I felt like every aspect of myself as a player and a person could be developed,” Slackman said in a statement to ESPN. “Getting to the draft next year is a goal of mine — obviously winning comes first — and Florida is a place where I feel like I can get everything out of a place and give everything I have to a place in a year.”

Listed at 6-foot-4 and 300 pounds, Slackman had 115 tackles (25 for loss) and 11 sacks in 28 games over the past three seasons with the Quakers.

–Field Level Media

Oct 21, 2023; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive end Deonte Anderson (91) hits the arm of Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback KJ Jefferson (1) during the second half by at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mississippi State won 7-3. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Arkansas to test streamlined offense against Florida

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Arkansas’ offensive adjustment will be on display Saturday when the Razorbacks face Florida in Gainesville, Fla.

After offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Dan Enos was fired Oct. 22 following Arkansas’ 7-3 home loss to Mississippi State, head coach Sam Pittman promoted wide receivers coach Kenny Guiton to be the new OC.

Pittman felt changes were in order after the Razorbacks (2-6, 0-5 Southeastern) lost their sixth straight game, managing only a field goal from strong-legged kicker Cam Little.

Guiton is in his third season in Fayetteville after being brought in by former OC Kendal Briles, who worked with the former Ohio State quarterback at Houston in 2017-18. Enos was hired in January to replace Briles, who left for the same position at TCU. Enos also served in the same roles at Arkansas from 2015-17.

“We’re trying to eliminate some of the volume we have offensively,” Pittman said. “Nothing ever came easy for us this year. We’ve got to do some things differently, and one of them is to cut down on volume.”

Guiton will be quarterback KJ Jefferson’s third OC in less than a year and will be leading an offense that has been extremely porous in pass protection.

“You know when you’re doing a large volume, you’re not practicing the fundamentals as much as you should,” Pittman said. “I don’t know that we can sit back in the pocket like we did for 29 plays (against Mississippi State) and expect … I mean the plays are good, but if you can’t protect it, they’re not.”

Coming off a 43-20 trouncing by top-ranked Georgia, the Gators (5-3, 3-2) are likely circling Saturday as the season’s marquee matchup when it comes to becoming bowl eligible.

After Arkansas, Florida will end the regular season with three straight against teams that are currently ranked — road games at LSU and Missouri, then home for its annual matchup with resurgent ACC power Florida State.

“I do think Arkansas, although their record doesn’t reflect it, they’ve been in every football game,” said coach Billy Napier, whose squad will wear black uniforms for the first time in school history. “(They’ve) lost a lot of close games. I do think that they’ve played really good defense for the most part. … I do think they’re a lot closer than their record indicates.”

In a series dating back to the 1982 Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl in Houston, the Gators lead 10-2 all-time against Arkansas.

–Field Level Media