The Florida Gators (0-1) are back at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium this evening for a matchup with the Samford Bulldogs (0-1). Kickoff time is set for 7:00 p.m. Follow along here for live game updates.
FINAL SCORE: FLORIDA 45, SAMFORD 7 - The Gators came into tonight's game looking for a breath of fresh air, and DJ Lagway delivered in nearly every way, shape and form. The true freshman quarterback finished with 456 passing yards and three touchdowns against Samford, all while completing 18 of his 25 passes on the day. Sophomore wide receiver Eugene Wilson III also tallied the first 100-yard game of his career, coming down with 6 catches for 141 yards and a touchdown. On the ground, senior running back Montrell Johnson Jr. racked up 15 carries for 67 yards and two touchdowns. As the now 1-1 Gators turn their attention to the visiting Texas A&M Aggies next weekend, it appears that Florida football has once again found a new source of hope for the 2024 campaign.
Q4 | 0:48 - UF backup quarterback Aidan Warner comes through with one final touchdown on the ground to cap off Florida's stellar all-around performance tonight. Warner cruises into the end zone on a 9-yard rushing touchdown, as fans continue to file towards the exits in the waning moments of this ball game.
Q4 | 2:00 - DJ Lagway has officially been taken out of the game as the Gators close in on the victory here. Lagway finishes with 456 yards in the air, the ninth-most in a single game in Florida history.
Q4 | 3:05 - UF edge rusher Ja'Markis Weston finds Samford's Quincy Crittendon in the backfield for a third-down sack to once again force a Bulldogs punt. Following a 31-yard return from Chimere Dike and a 15-yard targeting penalty on Samford's Alex Applefield, Florida will take over at the opposing 29-yard line.
Q4 | 6:23 - Not much going on this drive for the Gators, who quickly go three-and-out before punting the ball away to the Samford 17.
Q4 | 8:10 - Samford quickly goes three-and-out and punts the ball back to the UF 37-yard line. DJ Lagway is currently 27 yards away from breaking Florida's all-time single-game passing yards record, currently held by Tim Tebow (482 yards in the 2009 Sugar Bowl against Cincinnati).
Q4 | 9:55 (FLORIDA TOUCHDOWN) - Tre Wilson takes it to the house on an 85-yard pass down the middle to keep the offensive onslaught coming for the Gators. DJ Lagway is up to 456 passing yards on the night, marking the first time a Florida quarterback has thrown for over 400 yards since Emory Jones did so in 2021 (also against Samford).
Q4 | 10:08 - Samford's offense once again runs out of gas near the middle of the field, forcing the Bulldogs to punt the ball back away to the UF 15-yard line. With just over 10 minutes to go in this one, the Gators will look to burn as much time from the clock as possible on this drive as they cruise to the finish line.
Q4 | 13:18 (FLORIDA FIELD GOAL) - The Gators are forced to settle for their first field goal of the night following a holding penalty from right guard Damieon George Jr. Trey Smack comes right out and nails the 26-yard kick with ease to add on to Florida's already-sizable lead. UF 31, SAMFORD 7
END OF THE THIRD QUARTER: FLORIDA 28, SAMFORD 7 - There's a new energy of hope across the stands at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium tonight, as chants of "DJ Lagway" have continuously popped up all night long. The true freshman quarterback has lived up to the hype around his name in recent weeks with a record-breaking performance that will likely raise the stakes in Florida's quarterback competition once redshirt senior Graham Mertz returns from concussion protocol.
Q3 | 3:02 - DJ Lagway hits Elijhah Badger in stride once again for a 24-yard completion to land back in Samford territory. Lagway is up to 356 yards on the night as the Gators line up at the Bulldogs 35-yard line for first-and-10.
Q3 | 4:55 - Samford quickly goes three-and-out, punting the ball back away to the Florida 40-yard line. The Gators will take back over with Lagway once again at the helm as they look to seal this game for good.
Q3 | 5:52 (FLORIDA TOUCHDOWN) - DJ Lagway simply cannot be stopped. The true freshman rolls out of the pocket and hits freshman wide receiver Aidan Mizell in stride for a 41-yard touchdown. With Lagway now up to 324 yards on the day, any remaining questions about his ability to lead this Florida offense entering tonight's game have been put to rest. UF 28, SAMFORD 7
Q3 | 7:27 - Lagway comes right back out and breaks the Florida program record for most passing yards in a game by a true freshman on a 16-yard dot to Eugene Wilson III. The Gators are already back in Samford territory following a 10-yard rush from Ja'Kobi Jackson on the following play.
Q3 | 7:40 (SAMFORD TOUCHDOWN) - The Bulldogs finally get on the board, courtesy of a one-yard rushing touchdown from Damontha Witherspoon. UF linebacker Derek Wingo is hit with a personal foul on the scoring play for a face mask, but the touchdown still stands. The 15-yard penalty will be instead enforced on the following kickoff. UF 21, SAMFORD 7
Q3 | 9:23 - UF cornerback Jason Marshall is hit with an unnecessary roughness penalty for a late hit on Samford wide receiver Preston Bird, giving the Bulldogs a first-and-10 from the Florida 11-yard line. Samford is now threatening to score in what will be its first trip to the red zone tonight.
Q3 | 13:38 (FLORIDA TOUCHDOWN) - At long last, DJ Lagway has scored his first touchdown as a Florida Gator. Lagway connects with freshman wide receiver Tank Hawkins on a 36-yard deep ball down the left side of the field and into the end zone for the score. UF 21, SAMFORD 0
Q3 | 14:46 - Lagway opens up the second half by finding Eugene Wilson III on a 22-yard strike. Wilson's first catch of the night has the Gators moving early, as they will now line up in Samford territory.
HALFTIME: FLORIDA 14, SAMFORD 0 - DJ Lagway returns to the ballgame to run out the clock on the Bulldogs and bring the first half to a close. Lagway is up to 8-for-11 and 209 yards in what has been a stellar performance in the air so far tonight. Montrell Johnson Jr. has chipped in with a strong outing on the ground as well, running for 53 yards and two touchdowns. Despite Lagway and Johnson Jr.'s best efforts, however, Florida has failed to capitalize on numerous offensive opportunities tonight. The Gators currently 2-for-4 on their red zone drives and 0-for-2 on fourth down conversion attempts, two figures in which they will need to improve if they want to pull away in the second half.
Q2 | 1:03 - Samford wide receiver Brendan Jenkins beats UF cornerback Ja'Keem Jackson on a 35-yard deep ball to start the drive, but the Bulldogs fizzle out from there and are forced to punt the ball away. The Gators will start off their final drive of the half at their own 21.
Q2 | 1:48 - UF punter Jeremy Crawshaw pins Samford at its own 10-yard line on a booming 61-yard punt, putting the Bulldogs in a tough position for what should be their final drive of the first half.
Q2 | 2:00 - DJ Lagway appears to be a bit shaken up as he exits the field on a failed third-down scramble attempt. The Gators are gearing up to punt the ball away from their own 24, but as of right now, the main concern appears to be what happened with Lagway and if he will be able to return to tonight's game.
Q2 | 3:58 - Florida's defense stops Samford in its tracks once again, stuffing the Bulldogs for a pair of negative plays to force a three-and-out. Florida will start off at its own 20 following a 41-yard punt from Samford punter Will Thorley.
Q2 | 7:02 (FLORIDA TOUCHDOWN) - Montrell Johnson Jr. scores for the second time tonight, as he cruises past the Samford defense and into the end zone with ease for a seven-yard rushing touchdown. This marked his third touchdown of the season and 30th in his career at Florida. UF 14, SAMFORD 0
Q2 | 7:15 - DJ Lagway goes back to Elijhah Badger for a 22-yard catch-and-run that puts the Gators in the red zone once again. Florida will line up at the 7-yard line for first-and-goal.
Q2 | 9:05 - DJ Lagway converts on his third deep ball of the game, this time connecting with tight end Hayden Hansen on a 40-yard pass to put Florida back in Samford territory. So far tonight, Lagway has gone 4-4 for 167 yards in the air. Three of his completions went for 40 or more yards.
Q2 | 9:20 - Tyreek Sapp comes through with a massive third-down sack on Samford quarterback Quincy Crittendon to keep the Bulldogs at bay. Florida will line up at its own 30 following a -3 yard punt return from Chimere Dike.
Q2 | 13:52 (FLORIDA TURNOVER) - Another prime scoring opportunity for the Gators goes to waste. Freshman running back Jadan Baugh fumbles the ball at the 3-yard line, marking Florida's second failed red zone attempt of the game. Samford recovers the fumble in the end zone for a touchback and will now line up at its own 20-yard line to start the next drive.
Q2 | 14:20 - Lagway starts off the second quarter with another dime, this time finding Chimere Dike on a 44-yard strike to once again put Florida in the red zone. The Gators will line up at the seven-yard line for first-and-goal.
END OF FIRST QUARTER: FLORIDA 7, SAMFORD 0 - While DJ Lagway has only thrown two passes so far tonight, he already has this Florida crowd fired up and ready to roll out. The only question that remains now is just how much the Gators will rely on the freshman and his arm for the rest of the night.
Q1 | 0:23 - The Florida defense comes through for another three-and-out, forcing Samford to punt for the second time this evening. UF returner Chimere Dike takes a fair catch at his own 28-yard line to start off the new drive.
Q1 | 2:53 (FLORIDA TOUCHDOWN) - UF running back Montrell Johnson Jr. finds the end zone on a one-yard run to put the Gators on the board first in this one. The extra point is good from kicker Trey Smack, as Florida takes its first lead of the 2024 campaign. UF 7, SAMFORD 0
Q1 | 3:23 - Florida freshman quarterback DJ Lagway finds wide receiver Elijhah Badger in stride on a 77-yard deep ball to immediately flip the field for the Gators. As the crowd as Ben Hill Griffin Stadium continues to roar in approval, Florida will now line up at its own three-yard line for a first-and-goal.
Q1 | 4:48 - Samford has a potential first down pass erased by a holding penalty. UF edge rusher Tyreek Sapp blows up the subsequent play on third down to force a Bulldogs punt, which pins the Gators at their own 14 to start the next drive.
Q1 | 8:44 - Samford picks up back-to-back third downs, courtesy of a 12-yard run from running back Damontha Witherspoon and quarterback Quincy Crittendon. Samford now lines up at the Florida 38-yard line for a fresh set of downs.
Q1 | 10:27 (FLORIDA TURNOVER ON DOWNS) - Just as soon as the Gators start to pick up some momentum, they lose it via a botched fourth down conversion attempt. Florida tries to pick up a first down with some wildcat formation trickery in the red zone, but running back Treyaun Webb is stuffed at the line of scrimmage. Samford will take over at its own 17-yard line.
Q1 | 14:06 (SAMFORD TURNOVER) - Florida is off to a hot start, as cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. forces a fumble that is quickly recovered by defensive back Aaron Gates to give the Gators possession on the Bulldogs' 43-yard line.
Q1 | 15:00 (KICKOFF) - Florida wins the coin toss and elects to defer possession to the second half. Following a touchback on the opening kick, Samford will start on its own 25-yard line.
PRE-GAME | INJURY REPORT - Notable players out for Florida today include quarterback Graham Mertz (concussion), wide receiver Kahleil Jackson (knee), defensive lineman Joey Slackman (knee), safety Asa Turner (knee) and cornerback Devin Moore (shoulder). The Gators will also be without wide receivers Andy Jean and Ja'Quavion Fraziars, as well as defensive back Sharif Denson.
Jack Meyer is a fourth-year journalism major and the Assistant Sports Editor for The Alligator. In his free time, he enjoys reviewing music, spending time with friends, playing video games and going to the gym.
