The Florida Gators secured a convincing 45-28 victory over the Mississippi State Bulldogs on Saturday, marking their first win against an FBS program in 343 days. This match showcased the highest scoring performance by the Gators against FBS teams during head coach Billy Napier’s tenure.
Florida’s offense was effective throughout the game, led by redshirt senior quarterback Graham Mertz and freshman DJ Lagway. However, the defense struggled considerably against one of the nation’s weakest rushing offenses, leaving the team with significant issues to address despite the win as they head into their first bye week of the season.
Mertz achieved an impressive 19 completions on 21 attempts for 203 yards and three touchdown passes, also adding a rushing touchdown with 24 yards. Lagway was equally effective, completing all seven of his passes for 76 yards and leading two touchdown drives that each covered over 90 yards.
“I thought we played well around the quarterbacks, and they both did a great job distributing the ball,” said Napier. The Gators pulled ahead 28-7 late in the second quarter, highlighting their balanced offensive approach, with multiple receivers involved.
The quarterback strategy saw Lagway rotate in during specific drives, which surprisingly worked well for Florida. Despite initial concerns about this pre-planned rotation, the Gators managed to find success on offense.
However, the Florida defense faced severe challenges, allowing Mississippi State to score two touchdowns in the first half and giving up 239 rushing yards throughout the game. The middle of the defense struggled, compounded by the absence of several key players, including two starters. Napier acknowledged the need for improvement, stating, “If you want to play really good defense, you got to be strong up the middle.”
Special teams stood out as a positive aspect of the game, particularly with kicker Trey Smack’s impactful 47-yard field goal, alongside strong performances across kicking and return units. Florida’s running backs and receivers also had notable contributions, with several players showcasing their offensive skills despite three key pass-catchers being sidelined due to injury.
Despite the victory, issues within the coaching strategies, particularly during critical moments known as the “middle eight,” and concerns regarding officiating were highlighted. The Gators’ offensive line showed inconsistencies, which need to be addressed in their upcoming practices.
Moving forward, Florida will have time to regroup during their first bye week, preparing for their next matchup against UCF. Coach Napier emphasized the need for the team to recognize areas for improvement, particularly on defense, as they seek to build on their performance ahead of a challenging stretch in their schedule.