In the meantime, however, the Florida Gators (0-1) should take a few hours off from the outside hustle and bustle on Saturday night and devote themselves to another kind of distraction: a real football game against FCS-ranked team Samford (0-1) at Spurrier/Florida Field. Not only will they have to win that game, they’ll have to do much better than they did last week in their ugly home loss to Miami to open the season.
Memo to UF fans: You are welcome to join in on this much-needed respite if you wish.
(Read senior editor Scott Carter’s comprehensive preview of the Opening Kickoff here.)
It’s not as if the easiest game in the toughest schedule of the 2024 college football season in the country is without excitement. In the wake of last weekend’s 41-17 loss, the Gators also lost their sixth-year starting quarterback Graham Mertz to the concussion protocol, which means that a true freshman DJ Lagwaythe 2023 Gatorade National Player of the Year from Willis, Texas, is promoted to QB1. The 6-foot-3, 235-pound Lagway will be the first true freshman to start at quarterback for Florida since Treon Harris against East Carolina in the Birmingham Bowl that concluded the 2014 season.
Lagway relieved Mertz in the fourth quarter last week and completed 3 of 6 passes for 31 yards and an interception, but also led a nine-play, 58-yard touchdown drive.
And don’t be surprised if Redshirt Junior Ton Millenthe transfer quarterback from Colorado State, also gets a series or two.
While the question of who will take the snaps will be the main story, it is far from the only one. The Gators have a lot to improve on after managing just 261 yards on offense (71 of which came on a second-quarter rushing touchdown by a tailback Montrell Johnson, Jr.) against the Hurricanes, managed 1 of 9 third downs and reached the red zone only once.
There were also many problems on defense. Miami managed a total of 529 yards on offense, including 385 yards through the air, scored on six of its first eight possessions (with drives of 84, 70, 58, 75, 75 and 86 yards) and led 38-10 midway through the third quarter. And that was with three starters in the secondary – Sharif Denson, Asa Turner And Devin Moore – which are not expected to be available on Saturday.
The Gators’ job is to be successful, to make plays, to experience positive things on the field and continue to rise above the UM debacle. The only way to do that is to play games.
It’s worth noting, however, that the last time Samford, a Southern Conference player, came to the “Swamp,” it was anything but a feel-good affair. Oh, the Gators won and had a stat day, as quarterback Emory Jones broke Tim Tebow’s single-game total offense record by racking up 550 yards, including 464 and six touchdowns through the air. The team’s 717 yards were the second-most in program history.
Florida, however, had to overcome a 14-point first-half deficit after the Bulldogs gained 530 yards, including 416 passing, to leave town with a 70-52 loss. 42 of those points had come in the first half – the most points ever scored by a visiting team before halftime in the 119-year history of UF football.
This Samford team finished the season 4-7.
That team lost its opener last weekend, 38-29, to West Georgia, a team playing its first game after moving from Division II to FCS. The game was a virtual tie in the stats, with the Bulldogs outscoring the Wolves 465 to 456. Samford junior quarterback Quincy Crittendon put up Cam Ward-like numbers, throwing for 307 yards, two touchdowns and an interception while running for 90 yards and two scores.
West Georgia, on the other hand, overwhelmed Samford with 271 passes and 185 rushing yards and converted eight of 16 third down attempts.
Lagway should be happy with his debut as a starter. He should get many chances to prove his abilities.
Most importantly, it’s a chance for the Gators to play and begin the process – with their Southeastern Conference opener against Texas A&M on the horizon next week – of reshaping the history of the 2024 season.
Coverage begins at 7 p.m. on ESPN+ and SEC+, with Clay Matvick providing live commentary and former Gators assistant coach Steve Addazio providing analysis. The Gators Sports Network broadcast from Learfield begins pregame coverage at 4 p.m. and will ultimately be hosted by Sean Kelly, Shane Matthews and sideline reporter Tate Casey. Click here to view the broadcasters.
The game will be replayed on Wednesday at 12 p.m. on the SEC Network.
Also, follow Senior Editor Scott Carter (@GatorsScott) for game-long commentary and analysis. FloridaGators.com There will be full post-match coverage late Saturday night and follow-up content on Sunday.
