The Florida Gators secured a 45-28 victory against the Mississippi State Bulldogs on Saturday, marking their first triumph over an FBS team in 343 days. This impressive performance also set a record for the highest points scored by Florida against an FBS opponent during head coach Billy Napier’s tenure.
Florida’s offense was dynamic, benefiting from strong contributions from both redshirt senior Graham Mertz and freshman DJ Lagway. Mertz completed 19 of 21 passes for 203 yards and three touchdowns while adding a rushing score. Lagway was also effective, completing all seven of his passes for 76 yards and leading two lengthy touchdown drives.
Head coach Billy Napier praised the quarterbacks for their roles in distributing the ball effectively, highlighting the balanced offensive strategy. The Gators built a commanding 28-7 lead late in the second quarter, showcasing their most points in a half against FBS opponents under Napier’s leadership.
Despite the offensive success, Florida’s defense struggled significantly, allowing Mississippi State to score 14 points in the first half and amassing 239 rushing yards throughout the game. The Gators’ middle defense lacked strength, which is concerning given their talent advantage. Napier expressed his dissatisfaction with the team’s defensive performance, emphasizing the need for improvement in key areas.
Special teams were a notable highlight for Florida, with junior kicker Trey Smack successfully kicking a 47-yard field goal to solidify the victory. The running backs, particularly redshirt junior Ja’Kobi Jackson, sophomore Treyaun Webb, and freshman Jadan Baugh, contributed significantly to the offense. Additionally, redshirt freshman wide receiver Aidan Mizell showed promise, catching five passes and showcasing his athleticism.
While the victory was welcomed, there were areas of concern, particularly in the Gators’ defense and offensive line play early in the game. There were also issues with officiating that impacted the game, including controversial calls on touchdowns.
Looking ahead, Florida enters a bye week to regroup and prepare for their upcoming match against UCF on October 5. Napier acknowledged the need for reflection and improvements on both sides of the ball and expressed confidence that the team can enhance its consistency. The Gators are determined to build on this victory as they approach a challenging portion of their schedule, aiming for continued improvement in the weeks to come.