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The Florida Gators (8-5) collected their first bowl win since the 2019 season, dominating the Tulane Green Wave (9-5) 33-8 in the 2024 Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl. The Gators are now 25-24 all-time in bowl games. The Gators’ 2024 season ended with a four-game winning streak.
Inside the Gators‘ Instant Analysis takes a quick look at how the game unfolded.
IT WAS OVER WHEN: Down 19-0 with 8:06 left in the fourth quarter, Tulane kept their offense on the field for 4th & 3 from their own 39. Green Wave quarterback Ty Thompson shuffled around a collapsing pocket until Kamran James sacked him. The turnover allowed the Gators to set up a drive that ended with a fumbled snap on fourth down that was taken 27 yards for a touchdown by freshman KD Daniels. It was Daniels’ first career touchdown.
THEY STOLE THE SHOW: Junior kicker Trey Smack III was perfect against Tulane, knocking down all four of his field goal attempts and three extra points. Smack’s four field goals is the most by a kicker in Gasparilla Bowl history. On the season, Smack finished 44/44 on PATs and 21/25 on FGs.
THESE STATS DON’T LIE: The Gators produced 529 yards of offense against the Green Wave. Quarterback DJ Lagway went 22/35 on passing with one touchdown pass and two interceptions. The freshman’s 305 passing yards were the most in a single game in Gasparilla Bowl history. Wisconsin transfer receiver Chimere Dike’s 96 receiving yards against the Green Wave put him at 783 on the season, a career high. Florida continues to have success in the portal with receivers. Sophomore tight end and Tampa native, Tony Livingston, doubled his career total receiving yards by catching four passes for 58 yards and a touchdown. Florida tallied 19 sacks in their final three regular-season games, they only had one against Tulane. The Green Wave was 3/13 on third down despite entering the game second in the FBS in third down completion percentage.
THIS MATCHUP PROVED KEY: Despite injuries and transfer portal departures in the Gators defense, Tulane quarterback Ty Thompson struggled. The former five-star was held to 11/29 on pass attempts, 125 passing yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. On the Green Wave’s second offensive snap of the game, Thompson’s downfield heave was picked off by former Oregon teammate Trikweze Bridges. Thompson was picked off again in the third quarter by walk-on Alfonzo Allen Jr. following a broken up pass. Freshman linebacker Myles Graham got his first career interception in the fourth quarter off Thompson. Tulane’s only points came off a Thompson touchdown pass and two point conversion with 0:29 left in the game.
WHAT A PLAY: On 3rd & 1 from midfield in the first quarter, Tulane drew up a designed run for Thompson. As Thompson charged towards the crowd of clashing Green Wave and Gators linemen at the line to gain, Florida nose tackle Desmond Watson emerged. The 450 pound senior swallowed the QB with his outstretched arms and hoisted him into the air as the officials called the play dead. Watson also ignited the crowd with his first career rushing attempt in the fourth quarter.
UP NEXT: Florida (8-5) ends their season with a four-game winning streak. The Gators will open their 2025 season on Aug. 31, at home against Long Island University, an FCS opponent.
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