Despite putting together a fantastic performance the Gators Saturday ended in heartbreak. Losing 34-20 to Georgia, the final score does not fully put this game into perspective. Tragedy struck for Florida, as 5-star freshman quarterback DJ Lagway went down in the second quarter. Clutching his hamstring, many fans are fearing the worst, as a cart was needed. This led to the Gators turning to Aidan Warner, a freshman transfer from Yale. While performing to the best of his abilities, it ultimately was not enough. This team never gave up, and had the score tied at 20 a piece late in the 4th quarter. Now sitting at 4-4 with an injured quarterback, this season feels out of control. Losing both Graham Mertz and Lagway could spell disaster for this unit. Head coach Billy Napier will have to devise his best game plans for the rest of the season.
Injuries Galore
When Lagway went down in the second quarter, it felt as if the writing was on the wall. Holding a 10-3 lead with the ball, all the momentum was on the Gators’ side. With the defense shutting down Carson Beck, it felt like this could finally be the day. However, Lagway slid awkwardly on a QB run, and immediately everyone knew it was serious. Now, this will simply be a case of what could have been. Defensively, the injuries began to mount in the second half. Already without their number one corner Jason Marshall Jr., any more injuries would seriously put this defense in a bind. Unfortunately, the new number-one corner Devin Moore left with an injury shortly after his interception. Seen later in the game in street clothes, he missed the rest of the affair. Yet, even with all the injuries, the Gators fought till the end.
New Energy
When Lagway went down, it would have been easy for the Gators to throw in the towel, and simply accept the heartbreak. Credit to the coaching staff and the players, as no such emotion was shown. The defense continued to play lights out until the very end. Unable to move the ball consistently on offense, the defense was heavily relied on. Leaning mostly on the run, Ja’Kobi Jackson had a solid outing, rushing for 74 yards and a touchdown. Ultimately, the injuries were of course too much to overcome. Yet, this team kept fighting, showing no signs of giving up on the program. Despite many of Napier’s on-field struggles, no one can diminish the team’s love for him. Week in and week out the team fights for Napier and remains bought into the program. The road will be tough ahead, but no quit will be seen in this team.
Defense Stands Tall
As reiterated in previous articles, after that first bye week this has been a whole new defense. Defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong has his unit playing at a high level, suffocating opposing quarterbacks. Forcing three interceptions out of Carson Beck, this unit was firing on all levels. With plenty of young players keying in, the future should be bright for this group. Headlined by defensive back Aaron Gates, players were stepping up at all levels. Eventually due to the lack of offense, this loss was in no form on the defense. Quieting doubters over the last few weekends, this is the best this defense has looked in years. Now with Lagway injured at quarterback, the Gators will have to lean on this group. Facing some tough offenses in the next few weeks, the defense has shown they are up to the task.
What does the Future Hold?
Unfortunately for the Gators, they must turn around quickly after their heartbreak. With four games left in the season, they must finish strong. Three of the remaining four matchups are against ranked teams, including next weekend. Heading out to Austin, Texas to take on the Longhorns, will be no easy task. In a hostile environment, Florida will be pressured early and often. Fans will be waiting anxiously awaiting the medical news regarding Lagway and his hamstring. If he is unable to go, the Gators will have to turn to Aidan Warner. Struggling against Georgia, it could be another rough outing in Austin. Fortunately, he will have a full week of practice to allow him to settle into his new starting role. The running game will be a focal point for the rest of the season. They will have to pull off a stunner, or else another losing season awaits.
Final Thoughts
Gator fans will be hard-pressed to get over this heartbreak. It felt like a new team in the last few weeks, and there was plenty of belief early. With the defense playing at a high level, Florida had all the momentum. Of course, everyone knows how this game ended, and the dim future that awaits. Aidan Warner will need to play much better than he did in relief of Lagway. The good news is that the Georgia defense is one of the best in the country. Now having time to adjust and a full week of practice, he should look much improved. The schedule gets no easier with clashes against Texas, Ole Miss and LSU. Sitting at 4-4, this is beginning to feel like another lost season under Napier. Just a few plays away from being 6-2, the Gators haven’t had luck go their way. Now they must rely on an unheralded freshman.
