There’s been concern surrounding the Florida football program that the team has struggled to gain positive momentum throughout head coach Billy Napier’s tenure at UF. As the Gators loaded up the buses to head back home from Tallahassee, this narrative seemed to have taken a complete 180.
Napier’s success can certainly be attributed to the instant production and talent that freshman quarterback DJ Lagway has dazzled the Florida fanbase with. But it wasn’t Lagway’s arm or legs that powered UF to a victory in the 2024 Sunshine Showdown.
Florida (7-5, 4-4 SEC) utilized a suffocating defensive performance to defeat Florida State (2-10, 1-7 ACC) 31-11 for the first time since 2021 at Doak Campbell Stadium Saturday.
“We played complementary ball, and I thought defensively, we were really lights out,” Napier said. “Season high in TFLs [tackles for loss] and sacks, limited the explosive plays, and then obviously created some takeaways and were able to take advantage of those on offense.”
Unable to escape the first play from scrimmage uninjured, senior defensive lineman Cam Jackson endured a blow to his lower body and was down for an extended period of time. After coming off the field on his own power, he returned later in the first quarter and finished with an impressive performance.
The Seminoles received the opening kickoff before going on a seemingly tedious opening drive. FSU’s first five plays from scrimmage combined for 25 yards to its own 41-yard line before Florida recorded back-to-back sacks to force a punt on 4th-and-11.
Freshman quarterback DJ Lagway has been sensational this season for the Gators, leading the nation in passer rating on throws 20 yards or further down the field. However, UF’s offense was rather stagnant in its first possession, going three-and-out before the Seminoles began the ensuing drive at their own 25-yard line midway through the first quarter.
Lagway didn’t look sharp in Florida’s first two drives, missing a pair of throws to open receivers across the middle of the field that were off the mark. Nevertheless, Lagway settled in after a 1-of-6 start through the air and finished 14-of-22 for 133 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
“I think we didn't have our fastball on offense and I think it was evident,” Napier said. “I do think that it could have been worse is what I would say. I think we struggled at times. We got to play better around the quarterback.”
With the inconsistent performance from UF’s freshman signal caller, the Gators leaned heavily on their running attack against the Noles. Senior running back Montrell Johnson Jr. led the way with 10 carries for 99 yards and a touchdown (eclipsing 3,000 career rushing yards). Rounding out Flroida’s backfield was freshman back Jadan Baugh who chipped in with 81 yards on 11 carries.
“Obviously it means a lot to me but just getting the win with the team, just going out the right way,” Johnson Jr. said. “That means more to me.”
While the game’s first 12 minutes proved to be rather stagnant offensively, that narrative quickly changed. Junior edge rusher Jack Pyburn stormed into FSU’s backfield and tallied Florida’s second strip sack (and third overall sack) of the game, with this one being recovered by the Gators. It was a stout start for Florida to open the contest, allowing just 2.5 yards per play and 79 total yards in the first half.
Florida’s offense took over at Florida State’s 14-yard line. From there, it took just two carries by redshirt junior running back Ja’Kobi Jackson for the Gators to grab a 7-0 lead with 2:28 left in the first quarter.
In its last two matchups (both against ranked opponents), UF’s defense has allowed just 16.5 points per game. The unit displayed even more of its dominance throughout the first half against FSU when junior linebacker Shemar James ripped the ball away from FSU redshirt senior running back Lawrance Toafili. James recovered it himself, giving the Gators possession at their own 29-yard line.
Given the various highlight reel plays Lagway has showcased this season, perhaps his most impressive clip came with just over 10 minutes left in the second quarter. As he dropped back in the pocket, Lagway threw 330-pound FSU defensive lineman Darrell Jackson Jr. to the ground with a vicious stiff arm before finding Dike down the right sideline for a 17-yard completion near midfield.
“I just kept churning and he kind of pushed off me so I pushed off him back,” Lagway said. “My helmet was all screwed up, I really couldn’t see [Chimere Dike] I just threw to a spot and he was there.”
Eight plays later, the Gators found themselves in a 3rd-and-4 at the Noles’ 21-yard line before a miscommunication cost them a potential score. Lagway threw a deep pass near the left pylon that landed between two UF receivers and into the hands of Florida State junior defensive back Azareye’h Thomas, who was ruled down in the end zone with 5:32 remaining before halftime.
Neither side was able to find much of an offensive rhythm after Florida’s initial score, as five straight scoreless drives hindered UF’s ability to extend its lead. Eventually, redshirt junior wideout Marcus Burke redeemed his involvement in the aforementioned blunder on Lagway’s interception.
On 2nd-and-7 at Florida State’s 27-yard line, Lagway connected with Dike for a 25-yard completion. Two plays later, he found Burke in the left corner of the endzone with 25 seconds left in the first quarter to extend Florida’s lead to 14-0.
“It was huge,” Lagway said. “We had some communication issues in the red zone that we took note of so it was huge for me to come back to Burke… We just all had to get on the same page [and] it felt great to go back to him on that route.”
After the Gators went three-and-out to open the second half, FSU facilitated a quality drive on its ensuing possession. Moreover, freshman quarterback Luke Kromenhoek nearly lost possession when he was pressured and fumbled on Florida’s 18-yard line, but he managed to recover the ball. This, in turn, allowed the Seminoles to score their first points of the game on a 39-yard field goal attempt, cutting UF’s lead to 14-3 at the 9:47 mark of the third quarter.
FSU continually struggled to protect the football as the night went on. Despite its defense forcing a three-and-out on the ensuing possession, it was the special teams unit which would cost the Seminoles this time.
Florida senior punter Jeremy Crawshaw booted a 42-yard punt to Florida State’s 15-yard line, but it was muffed and recovered by UF redshirt junior long snapper Rocco Underwood. Nevertheless, Lagway was unable to turn the turnover into six points after overthrowing his intended receiver on 3rd-and-6, setting up a 30-yard field goal attempt by Smack that gave the Gators a 17-3 edge with 6:27 left in the third quarter.
As the game came down to the home stretch, the Noles decided to go for it on 4th-and-2 at Florida’s 25-yard line. Kromenhoek faked out nearly the entire Gators defense on a short play-action completion to Amaree Williams for a 20-yard pickup. The play did not come without a cost, however, as Williams was injured as he went down on the ensuing hit. Two plays later, the Seminoles fumbled for the sixth time of the game and coughed the ball right back up to the Gators.
UF opened the final period of regulation looking to deliver a dagger, and this time, they took advantage of the Noles turnover. On 1st-and-10 at Florida’s 35-yard line, senior running back Montrell Johnson Jr. capped off a six-play, 93-yard scoring drive with a 65-yard house call on the ground through the heart of FSU’s defense.
The score seemingly put the game out of reach, as UF led 24-3 with under 13 minutes remaining in regulation. A later pair of touchdowns by the Noles and Gators all but offset each other in the final 3:25. The latter touchdown came on an eight-yard pass from Lagway to sophomore tight end Tony Livingston in the waning moments of regulation.
It wasn’t the prettiest performance by Florida this season, but the Gator defense may have constructed its best defensive performance of 2024. UF recorded eight sacks and forced five fumbles, as Jackson led the way with five total tackles and two sacks as Florida cruised to a 20-point win.
“[It was] just guys being comfortable in the defense, James said. “Coach [Ron Roberts] and coach [Austin Armstrong], you know, they kind of draw things to kind of get the quarterback looking each way and then make him throw another way and just disguising different coverages just to get to the quarterback.”
The Gators will now wait to find out who their opponent will be for a bowl game. Not only has Napier already secured his first winning season in Gainesville, but Florida will also have an opportunity to capture its first bowl game victory under the third-year head coach.
"Look it's what we came here to do. If we want to go where we're we intend to go we, we're going to have to do it consistently. So there's never been more parity in college football, in my opinion, than there is right now. So the portal, NIL, I just think there's a ton of parity. And it's even more important that you have good culture within the walls.”
Contact Max Tucker at mtucker.alligator.org. Follow him on X @Max_Tuckr1.
Max Tucker is a junior transfer student at UF. After obtaining his A.A. in Journalism from Santa Fe College in 2023, he chose 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.
