The Florida Gators football team (5-5, 3-4 SEC) is one win away from bowl eligibility and will entertain the No. 9-ranked Ole Miss Rebels (8-2, 4-2 SEC) in a Senior Day matchup at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for noon. Follow along below for live notes and updates throughout the matchup.
GAME NOTE: UF has won three straight games at home by a combined 50 points, but head coach Billy Napier may face his hardest task at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium this season as he's set to take on Lane Kiffin head-to-head for the first time in his coaching career
GAME NOTE: It will be interesting to see how mobile Florida freshman quarterback DJ Lagway will be now in his second game back from injuring his hamstring. The Gators will likely need a big game from Lagway who's leading all FBS quarterbacks with a 99.4 passing grade on deep throws.
Florida won the opening coin toss and chose to defer to the second half. Ole Miss' offense will take the field first.
Q1: 15:00 - UF junior kicker Trey Smack's opening kickoff goes through the end zone. Rebels ball at their 25-yard line.
Q1: 14:21 - Florida defensive back Aaron Gates is down on the field with an apparent injury following a four-yard rush up the middle. Gates tore his ACL his senior year of high school.
INJURY UPDATE: Aaron Gates is walking straight to Florida's locker room with his arm around a trainer.
Q1: 13:39 - On 3rd-and-1 at its 34-yard line, Ole Miss went with a wildcat formation and ran a draw play up the middle for a pickup of four yards and a first down.
Q1: 13:00 - UF sophomore safety Jordan Castell was flagged for targeting on a tackle that he seemingly hit the intended receiver square in the chest. The call on the field was overturned. No targeting.
Q1: 12:15 - The Gators come up with a timely stop on 3rd-and-4 at the Ole Miss 44-yard line thanks to a sack by UF defensive lineman Caleb Banks for a loss of seven yards. Florida will start its drive at its 35-yard line.
Q1: 9:38 - Lagway's pass intended for senior running back Montrell Johnson on third down at midfield fell incomplete. UF senior Jeremy Crawshaw's punt rolled through the end zone. Dart and the Rebels' offense will begin its ensuing drive at its 20-yard line.
Q1: 7:51 - After the previous play, Florida was called for a late hit out of bounds following a four-yard scramble to the right sideline. 1st-and-10 for the Rebels at UF's 20-yard line.
Q1: 5:36 - The Rebels drove it down to Florida's 11-yard line and faced a 4th-and-1 before Lane Kiffin decided to go with a direct snap to 325-pound defensive tackle JJ Pegues who was short of the line to gain. Gators with a 1st-and-10 deep inside their own territory.
Q1: 5:02 - Senior wideout Elijhah Martin takes a pop pass from Lagway to the left side and shifted his way around multiple defenders for a 19-yard gain.
Q1: 3:18 - Lagway just had a defender draped all over him while he released a 14-yard strike to Ja'Quavion Fraziars to the Rebels' 32-yard line.
Q1: 1:33 - On 3rd-and-5, Lagway once again connected with Badger for a 17-yard pickup through the air to the Ole Miss 21-yard line.
END OF Q1: Florida 0, Ole Miss 0 - The Gators are threatening on 3rd-and-goal at the Rebels' 8-yard line. Huge play call coming up for Napier.
SCORE: Q2: 14:56 - On the first play of the second quarter, Lagway threw a dart to Badger's back shoulder in the right corner of the end zone. Florida 6, Ole Miss 0.
INJURY: Ole Miss defensive back Yam Banks is down with an apparent serious injury. The cart is coming out for him and various teammates came to greet him.
Smack's extra-point attempt was good. Gators lead 7-0. UF's scoring drive was 11 plays and went for 89 yards in 5:40.
Q2: 14:56 - Florida's ensuing kickoff went through the Rebels' end zone. Ole Miss will start its drive 1st-and-10 at its 25-yard line.
Q2: 14:00 - Ole Miss went for it on 4th-and-1 at midfield and ran the same direct snap play to Pegeus, but this time, it went for a gain of eight yards and a first down.
SCORE: 12:01 - Dart just unloaded a 43-yard deep ball down the middle of the field that landed perfectly in the hands of wideout Tre Harris. UM kicker Caden Davis' extra-point attempt was good. Florida 7, Ole Miss 7.
Q2: 12:01 - Davis' ensuing kickoff went through Florida's end zone. Lagway and company begin their drive at the 25-yard line.
Q2: 11:21 - Florida senior running back Montrell Johnson Jr. flew up the middle for a pickup of 16 yards on the ground to UF's 41-yard line but on the very next play, Lagway was intercepted on a pass that deflected off the hands of senior wideout Chimere Dike. 1st-and-10 for the Rebels at midfield.
Q2: 9:51 - The Rebels again went for it on fourth down, this time a 4th-and-2 at their 47-yard line, and Dart threw a beautiful 25-yard floating deep ball to senior wideout Jordan Watkins.
SCORE: Q2: 9:05 - On the very next play following the Rebels' fourth down conversion, Dart threw a dart straight through the heart of the Gators' defense to cap off a five-play 55-yard scoring drive in just over two minutes. Davis' extra-point attempt was good. Ole Miss 14, Florida 7.
Q2: 7:59 - Ole Miss called its first timeout of the first half as the Gators face a 3rd-and-2 at their 33-yard line looking to avoid going three-and-out.
Q2: 7:58 - Lagway scrambled before connecting with Badger for a 27-yard gain to the Rebels' 40-yard line. 1st-and-10 for Florida.
SCORE: Q2: 6:52 - With a quick release, Lagway flicked a screen pass to freshman running back Jadan Baugh to the right side for a 25-yard touchdown that capped off a four-play 75-yard scoring drive. Smack's extra-point kick was good. Ole Miss 14, Florida 14.
Q2: 6:15- Ole Miss is right back in Florida's red zone after a 30-yard pass from Dart to Dae'Quan Wright. It's1st-and-10 for the Rebels at UF's 20-yard line.
Q2: 5:08 - Rebels wide receiver Tre Harris is down on the field with an injury after catching a seven-yard pass on 3rd-and-7. He possibly fumbled the ball on the reception. The previous play is under further review.
Q2: 5:08 - After video review, the play was ruled incomplete as the ball was broken up prior to it being a fumble. Ole Miss set up to attempt a 34-yard field goal that was no good, missing wide to the left. Florida's offense takes over at its 20-yard line.
Q2: 2:20 - Florida faced a 3rd-and-19 but Johnson Jr. broke up the middle for a gain of 16 yards on the ground. It was decision time for Napier on fourth down at midfield but he decided to punt it away to Ole Miss.
Q2: 2:14 - Crawshaw's 62-yard punt goes through the Rebels' end zone for no return. Dart and UM's offense starts at its 20-yard line.
Q2: 1:24 - Ole Miss faced a 3rd-and-3 at midfield and Dart's short pass attempt to the left side was complete, but only for a gain of one yard. Florida called a timeout as the Rebels are set to punt it away.
Q2: 1:12 - A solid 43-yard punt by Mason was downed at Florida's 14-yard line. Lagway will have to work quick here if the Gators wish to score before halftime.
HALFTIME: Ole Miss 14, Florida 14. DJ Lagway went 6-of-9 for 110 yards, two touchdowns and a pick. Badger had a sensational first half with four receptions for 71 yards and a score. Johnson Jr. is leading the way on the ground for the Gators with 11 carries for 73 yards. Defensively, UF has struggled to contain Jaxson Dart, who's 16-for-23 with 237 passing yards and two touchdowns, but the Rebels are just 1-for-7 on third down.
Q3: 15:00 - The Rebels' kickoff to open the second half goes through Florida's end zone. Lagway and UF's offense start at its 25-yard line.
Q3: 13:23 - A holding penalty called on Florida offensive lineman Damien George on second down backed the Gators up to their 10-yard line before failing to convert a first down. Fourth down for the Gators.
Q3: 12:31 - On 4th-and-16, Crawshaw sent a sky-high punt to midfield that was fumbled by Micah Davis and recovered by UF defensive back DJ Douglas of UF. 1st-and-10 for Florida at UM's 37-yard line.
Q3: 11:07 - Florida's offense takes over and goes three-and-out. Smack enters to attempt a 53-yard field goal on 4th-and-8.
SCORE: Q3: 10:57 - Smack's field goal split the uprights and was just two yards shy of his career-long 55-yard attempt from last week's game. Florida 17, Ole Miss 14.
Q3: 10:57 - Smack's ensuing kickoff goes through the Ole Miss end zone. 1st-and-10 for the Rebels at their 25-yard line.
Q3: 10:28 - On 2nd-and-11, Dart took off on a scramble up the middle for a gain of 20 yards on the ground to midfield.
Q3: 8:37 - Rebels faced a 3rd-and-1 at UF's 47-yard line but Pegues bullied his way up the middle for a six-yard carry and a first down.
Q3: 6:28 - Dart drove Ole Miss down to Florida's 20-yard line and faced a 3rd-and-10 before he scrambled up the middle for a gain of nine yards. Ole Miss is going for it on 4th-and-1.
Q3: 5:43 - The Rebels again went back to a direct snap to Pegues who was stuffed behind the line of scrimmage for no gain. Gators are taking back over at their 10-yard line.
Q3: 4:20 - Not much going for the Gators on their last offensive drive. Lagway was sacked for a loss of five yards on third down and Crawshaw punted one from deep inside his end zone to UM's 48-yard line.
SCORE: Q3: 0:45 - Dart was pressured by Florida senior defensive lineman Joey Slackman on 3rd-and-7 and was forced to throw it away. Rebels kicker Caden Davis trotted out for a 42-yard field goal attempt that was good. Florida 17, Ole Miss 17.
Q3: 0:45 - Davis' ensuing kickoff goes through Florida's end zone. 1st-and-10 for the Gators at their 25-yard line.
END OF Q3: It will be 2nd-and-7 for Lagway and the Gators at UM's 28-yard line to begin the fourth quarter.
Q4: 14:29 - Back-to-back carries by UF freshman running back Jadan Baugh sets up 1st-and-10 for the Gators at their 47-yard line.
Q4: 11:35 - On 4th-and-1 Napier and the Gators appeared to be going for it near midfield but ended up taking a delay of game penalty. Crawshaw stepped out and delivered a 45-yard punt to the Rebels' 9-yard line. 1st-and-10 for Ole Miss.
Q4: 9:34 - UF defensive tackle Caleb Banks with a huge sack at a timely moment on 3rd-and-2 for a loss of four yards. Masin then sent a booming 54-yard punt back to Florida's 33-yard line.
Q4: 8:59 - Lagway hits Dike for a deep 41-yard connection down the left hash marks. It's 1st-and-10 for the Gators at UM's 26-yard line.
Q4: 7:49 - Damien George is slow to get up amid an injury timeout. The Gators will face 2nd-and-5 at the Rebels' 9-yard line when play resumes.
SCORE: Q4: 7:40 - Florida went wildcat with Johnson Jr. taking the snap and Lagway lined up out wide to the left. Johnson Jr. shook his way through the right side and skipped in for a 9-yard rushing touchdown. Smack's extra-point attempt was good. Florida 24, Ole Miss 17.
Q4: 7:40 - Smack's ensuing kickoff went through UM's end zone. It's 1st-and-10 for Dart and the Rebels at their 25-yard line.
Q4: 7:40 - On the first play of the drive, Dart exploded up the middle for a huge pickup of 35 yards on the ground to Florida's 40-yard line.
Q4: 7:13 - On 3rd-and-10, Dart dropped back to pass but was smothered by Banks and UF edge Tyreak Sapp. Ole Miss punted it deep down to Florida's 6-yard line. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium is currently in pandemonium.
Q4: 4:57 - Montrell Johnson Jr. was slow to get up after being horse-collared to the ground as a penalty flag quickly followed. Florida with a 1st-and-10 at its 39-yard line.
Q4: 3:58 - Lagway had plenty of time in the pocket on 3rd-and-13, but he overthrew Dike who was running a corner route to the right sideline past the line to gain. Crawshaw entered and sent a punt to the Rebels' 18-yard line and it was returned for four yards.
Q4: 3:15 - Facing a 3rd-and-6, Dart was hurried but scrambled to his right and picked up the first down at the Ole Miss 32-yard line.
TWO MINUTE TIMEOUT: Jaxson Dart is the Rebels' leading rusher in the game with 13 carries for 72 yards. It will be 1st-and-10 for Ole Miss at Florida's 44-yard line after the timeout.
Q4: 1:32 - Dart was looking deep downfield to potentially tie the game but his pass was intercepted inside UF's end zone by defensive back Bryce Thornton and Ben Hill Griffin Stadium erupted. Thornton was ruled down inside the end zone. It's 1st-and-10 for the Gators at their 20-yard line.
TIMEOUT OLE MISS: The Rebels are beginning to drain their timeouts and now only have one remaining as Florida faces a 3rd-and-4.
Q4: 1:03 - Johnson Jr. carried the ball for two yards and was short of the line to gain. Ole Miss called its final timeout. Crawshaw entered and sent a 39-yard punt to the Rebels' 34-yard line.
Q4: 00:34 - Timeout Florida. Ole Miss has a first down at midfield after a 19-yard completion from Dart to wideout Cayden Lee at the Gators' 48-yard line.
Q4: 00:24 - On 2nd-and-10, Dart dropped back and looked down his right sideline but was intercepted by UF defensive back Dijon Johnson at Florida's 23-yard line. The previous play is under further review to see if Johnson secured the interception as he fell to the ground.
Q4: 00:24 - After further review, Johnson did not maintain possession of the ball. It's 3rd-and-10 for Ole Miss at midfield.
FINAL: Florida 24, Ole Miss 17. Just one play later, Dart was again picked off by Thornton for the second time today. The Gators come away with a massive upset and improve to (6-5, 4-4 SEC) while Ole Miss falls to (8-3, 4-3 SEC).
Max Tucker is a senior transfer student at UF. After obtaining his A.A. in Journalism from Santa Fe College in 2023, he chose to further his education at Florida's College of Journalism and Communications. Max is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Science in Journalism with a specialization in sports and media. He enjoys golfing and going to the beach with his friends in his free time.
