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With true freshman QB DJ Lagway under center, the Florida Gators (1-1) defeated the Samford Bulldogs (0-2) 45-7 on Saturday night at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The win over the FCS opponent snapped the Gators’ six-game losing streak that dated back to the team’s loss to Georgia on Oct. 28, 2023.
Inside the Gators‘ Instant Analysis takes a quick look at how the game unfolded.
IT WAS OVER WHEN: Lagway launched the ball downfield for a wide open Tank Hawkins early in the third quarter. The fourth play of the second half: 36-yard touchdown. It was Hawkins’ first career reception and both players’ first career touchdown. The play gave the Gators a 21-0 lead in a game that they controlled from the opening drive.
THEY STOLE THE SHOW: Former five-star quarterback DJ Lagway was unveiled to the college football world on Saturday. With a full week of preparation as the QB1 with Graham Mertz in concussion protocol, Lagway was able to showcase his talents that he hinted at during the fourth quarter vs Miami. Against Samford, Lagway finished 18-25 with 456 passing yards and three touchdown passes. Six of Lagway’s completions were for more than 35 yards. Simply put, Lagway’s arm was as advertised. He was also billed as a dual threat quarterback but only needed to rush five times for 16 yards. Although Samford is an FCS team, Lagway certainly showed enough to create a quarterback controversy going forward.
THESE STATS DON’T LIE: Florida had 122 passing yards against Miami and 466 against Samford. It was a different man under center for Florida and a much inferior pass rush that the offensive line was paired up against. Lagway now has the most passing yards by a true freshman in Florida history, surpassing Chris Leak’s 268 yards against Kentucky in 2003. Lagway also became the first Gator quarterback to throw for 400+ passing yards since Emory Jones in 2021 against Samford. 2023 Freshman All-SEC receiver Tre Wilson was not utilized until late in the game. All of Wilson’s six catches for 141 yards and a touchdown came in the second half. It was the sophomore’s first career 100+ yard game.
THIS MATCHUP PROVED KEY: Samford quarterback Quincy Crittendon was outmatched by the Gators’ defensive line. Crittendon showed his mobility against West Georgia last week, rushing for 95 yards. His legs were not a factor on Saturday as his pocket perpetually collapsed. Crittendon was sacked three times and the Florida defense produced 12.0 tackles for loss. George Gumbs Jr. led the Gators with 3.0 TFL to go with 1 sack. Tyreak Sapp had 5 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and 1.0 sack. Caleb Banks also had a sack. In the end, Samford only got into Florida territory once.
WHAT A PLAY: On the Gators second drive of the game, Lagway launched the ball downfield for Arizona State transfer Elijhah Badger. The Willis, Texas native’s physical traits were on display as he sent the ball 52-yards. Badger danced around defenders, ultimately being brought down at the Samford three. Saturday’s crowd erupted with the career-long catch of 77-yards for the fifth-year Badger.
UP NEXT: Florida (1-1) has their SEC opener against Texas A&M (1-1) on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 3:30 p.m. at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The game will be broadcast on ABC.
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