FLORIDA 45, MISSISSIPPI STATE 28
WHAT HAPPENED: Florida Quarterback Graham Mertz He threw for three touchdowns, rushed for another and led the Gators to a 45-28 road victory and the Southeastern Conference’s first win of the 2024 season. Mertz, the sixth-year veteran in his second UF season after transferring from Wisconsin, completed 19 of 21 passes (90.5 percent) for 201 yards, with all three of his TDs coming in the first half to set the tone for a team — and coach — that is Billy Napier — desperately needs something positive after a pair of home losses to its two major conference opponents earlier this month. UF finished with 503 yards of total offense (a balance of 226 rushing, 277 through the air), outpacing the host Bulldogs’ 480 (to go with 31 first downs), with a whopping 240 on the ground. Mertz, who was 15 of 16 for 147 yards in the first half, threw three-yard touchdowns to tight end Arlis Boardingham20 at wide receiver Marcus Burke and 35 at tight end Hayden Hansen to give the Gators a 21-7 lead early in the second quarter. He shared quarterback duties with a true freshman DJ Lagwaywho completed seven passes for 76 yards and ran for a touchdown, his fumble in the end zone recovered by the offensive lineman Austin Barber. Lagway’s second series was a 10-play, 91-yard drive that ended with a 10-yard touchdown run by Ja’Kobi Jackson And pushed the visitors ahead 28-7 at the end of the first half. The Bulldogs cut the deficit to 14 when quarterback Blake Shapen (13 of 21 for 140 yards, 1 TD) capped a quick six-play, 75-yard, 54-second drive with a 3-yard run with 23 seconds left in the period to make it 28-14 at halftime. The game got even tighter after Shapen put together another long scoring drive, capped by a 13-yard TD pass to Jordan Mosley on MSU’s first possession of the second half. Mertz responded with an 8-play, 75-yard drive (aided by a couple of defensive penalties) and finished the march with a one-yard sneak for a 35-21 lead with just under four minutes remaining in the third quarter. A goal-line stand by the Florida defense returned the ball to the Gators less than a minute into the fourth period. Lagway then led his second 90-plus yard drive (this one 10 plays, 93 yards) and finished it himself with a 6-yard run for the first rushing TD of his career and a 42-21 lead. The Bulldogs got a 10-yard scoring run Johnnie Daniels with 4:26 left, while the Gators added 47 yards Trey Smack field goal with 2:34 remaining. UF got a game-high 68 rushing yards from the senior tailback Montrell Johnson Jr. and 10 different receivers caught passes, led by Aidan Mizell five for 36 yards. The win was just Florida’s third in its last 15 road games.
WHAT THIS MEANS: The Gators, with everything going on, really needed a win to stop the bleeding. Mississippi State, obviously, is not a good team, but UF went on the road and amidst all the adversity and distractions, put a win in the SEC win column.
IN THE NEWS: While Lagway may be Florida’s favorite quarterback (and the Gators’ future at the position), Mertz is the best right now and gives them the best chance to win.
AMAZING STATISTICS: Mertz and Lagway combined to shoot 26 of 28, or 92.9 percent, which is considered a single-game team record.
FOLLOWING : Florida (2-2, 1-1) has the first of its two open games next weekend. The Gators return to action Oct. 5 at home against opponent UCF (3-0, 1-0), which was idle Saturday. While the Gators are off this week, the Knights will host Deion Sanders and Colorado in a Big 12 conference game. Mississippi State (1-3, 0-1) plays No. 1 Texas next week.
