Left for dead...we'll come back to that

Saturday night was the perfect storm: our team got a signature win, a sell-out crowd did the Swamp's reputation for volume proud, lots of big-time recruits in the stands, the HBC doing his part by adding a little gas to the fire, Baugh with the exclamation point at the end, and a 60-minute dominating performance by the Gators. From start to finish, I haven't enjoyed a game like that since the 2018 win over Joe Burrow/LSU or the 2019 win over Auburn.

I'm still trying to remember what poster told me that he didn't care about the 13th-ranked tackler on Northern Illinois, how do you like George Gumbs now? His stats to date:

t2024 SEASON: Appeared in nine games this season.. recorded 24 tackles, four quarterback hurries, two sacks and two pass breakups.

• vs. No. 19 Miami: Made Gator debut and logged 1 solo tackle and 1 assisted tackle.
• vs. Samford: Recorded 3 solo tackles for a loss of 8 yards, a quarterback hurry and 1 sack.
• vs. Texas A&M: Had 3 total tackles.
• at Mississippi State: Logged 4 total tackles.
• vs.UCF: Recorded 2 total tackles and 1 sack for a loss of 11 yards.
• at No. 8 Tennessee: Logged 4 total tackles.
• vs. Kentucky: Had 3 total tackles, 2 QB hurries, and one pass breakup.
• vs. No. 2 Georgia: Logged 2 total tackles and 1 QB hurry.
• vs. No. 5 Texas: Recorded 1 tackle and 1 pass breakup.

And that doesn't include his stats against LSU. Him running down Garrett Nussmeier from behind on a scramble was phenomenal.

DJ avoiding the rush and hitting Badger for the TD...I went full-blown "Hide yo wife! Hide yo kids!" in my living room which scared the crap out of my daughter's cat. The guy who casts the statues might want to block out some time in 2026-27. Think he's going to be getting a call. In hindsight, if DJ is fully healthy we beat them by 14 or more. I said it already but DJ is everything I thought AR was going to be, only better.

The interior DL. I can't figure this one out. There's been a lot of back-and-forth about whether or not they're "legit." They played an incredible game Saturday night. Seven sacks against anybody is great, much less against a team that had only given up six sacks all year and it's also true that they've gotten incrementally better in the last 3 games. The thing that gives me pause is that this is basically the same three interior guys (Jackson, Banks, Dez, ?) from last season. Why did it take them a season and a half to have a game like that? I think part of it has been the emergence of Jack Pyburn. He's brought an energy that the whole defense needed plus opposing offenses are having to account for him which is freeing up the interior guys. As "good" as they are now, the DL is going to get even better. Jamari Lyons will be back next year but don't sleep on guys like De'Antre Robinson, Tavorise Brown, and Michael Boireau either.

I've said this before too but whatever happened in the off-week before UCF seems very similar to what happened in the famous on-the-tarmac, players-only meeting after the South Carolina loss in 2005. No, I'm not saying this team wins a NC next year but the two moments seem very similar to me.

Left for dead. That's where this team was after the A&M loss. The fans (both opposing and our own), the media, and opponents had all left the Gators for dead but to quote the late, great Layne Staley: "In the darkest hole, you'd be well advised not to plan my funeral 'fore the body dies". Yeah. If, before the season, I had told you we could go 3-2 through this "brutal" 5 game stretch you'd have laughed me off the board but that's where we are (actually, I did predict winning the last three games but that was when I thought we were going to go 9-3). There are still 2 games to go before this wild, crazy, Gator football season is over but it's there for the taking.

Gator football is still the most wonderful, enjoyable, scintillating thing that's going to put me in an early grave ever. Bring on the Rebels.

It's already been mentioned in here that we're about to put a significant amount of money towards NIL for both this class but mainly portal recruiting once things open up. That said, while a majority of us on here haven't actually seen the NIL deals being signed, it's always been rumored/mentioned on here that we don't really front-load out deals as some others schools (i.e. Miami). Is this going to change in order to make us more competitive in the NIL market against the Miami's of CFB (I believe we've lost a few recruits to them due to their heavy front loading on deals), or are we going to keep the status quo when it comes to deal structuring? If anyone is at liberty to talk about it anyways.

Lagway, James and Smack Earn SEC Weekly Honors for Performances against LSU

The Gators took three weekly conference honors in one week for the first time in nearly eight years.



GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida Gators Quarterback DJ Lagway, Linebacker Shemar James, and Kicker Trey Smack all garnered weekly honors from the SEC for their performances in the Gators’ 27-16 win over the LSU Tigers, the Southeastern Conference announced Monday.



Lagway, James and Smack are the first trio of Gators to earn weekly honors in the same week in nearly eight years to the day, when on Nov. 21, 2016 Tyrie Cleveland (Freshman of the Week), Eddie Piniero (Special Teams Player of the Week), and David Reese (Defensive Player of the Week) garnered the same three honors against the same LSU Tigers.



DJ LAGWAY, QB – SEC FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK

Despite running only 43 plays and possessing the ball for just 18:17 minutes, Lagway authored an explosive performance, with seven of his 13 passes connecting for more than 17 yards.



He connected with Elijhah Badger in the first quarter for his lone touchdown pass of the day, a 23-yard connection to put the Gators up 7-0 early. Later, the freshman again completed a pass to Elijhah Badger for 36 yards – his longest pass of the day – to the LSU 1-yard line, setting up Ja’Kobi Jackson’s go-ahead 1-yard rushing touchdown to give the Gators a lead that they wouldn’t relinquish



Lagway finished with 13 passes on 26 attempts, 226 passing yards, one touchdown, and a 135.7 passer rating.



His nod is the second such weekly honor for the Gators this season, joining Jadan Baugh who took home freshman of the week honors following Florida’s win over Kentucky on Oct. 19. The Backfield of Baugh and Lagway has been a revelation for Florida’s offense, as the tandem has gone 2-0 while starting together. Their two starts are the only two all-freshman starting backfields in program history, and account for the only two wins by an all-freshman backfield in FBS this season.



He is the first Gators quarterback to win an SEC Freshman of the Week honor since Treon Harris did so on November 10, 2014.



SHEMAR JAMES, ILB – SEC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

The selection comes after James posted multiple career highs in Florida’s 27-16 win over the LSU Tigers, including sacks (2), pass breakups (2) and tackles for loss (2), while collecting a season-high 11 tackles.



James led a Florida front-seven that tallied 7 sacks of LSU Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier against an LSU Offensive line that had allowed only six sacks this season prior to Saturday. Florida’s assault up front stifled LSU’s run game, held to just 2.9 yards per carry on 44 attempts. Florida totaled 11 tackles for loss and 6 additional quarterback hurries.



He also accounted for two pass breakups, further disrupting the Tigers’ aerial attack as the pocket constantly closed.



TREY SMACK, K – SEC SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Smack had a perfect night, drilling all five of his kicks including a new career-long 55-yard field goal. His 3/3 performance on extra points continued his perfect 34/34 season on point after attempts.



In the second quarter, Smack nailed a 49-yard field goal to secure a 10-7 lead for the Gators. In the third quarter, trailing 13-10, Smack concluded Florida’s eight play drive with the 55-yard rocket to tie the game.



2024 FLORIDA FOOTBALL TICKETS

Fans can still purchase single-game tickets for the Gators’ Nov. 23 game against Ole Miss. To purchase, click here. For more information on football tickets, call the Gator Ticket Office at (352) 375-4683, or fill out this form to be contacted by a ticket office representative. Fans can click here to join the 2025 Season Ticket Waiting List.


Ticketmaster.com is the only verified resale partner of the Florida Gators. Fans are urged to avoid purchasing tickets from unauthorized secondary ticketing sites or individuals they do not know. Click here for tips on how to verify tickets are from a legitimate source.

Hey y'all.....heading down for the game, 1st time in about 10yrs & bringing my oldest, now 21. He actually played HS ball with Jared Ivey (#15), the Ole Miss DE. They were both freshman on the North Gwinnett state championship team. I'm exploring all avenues at this point for 2 tix, donated, gifted, purchased, borrowed..... whatever works, so simply exploring opportunities. Also, would love to meet some of the great members on this board. Well be ready to rock the Swamp. Excited for the game!!!

vs. Mississippi Univ.

Talk amongst yourselves...

There is something to be said for culture.

I know we have all debated it from time to time - and rightfully so. Not once in Napier's tenure at UF have players jumped in their coach's face. Not once has Napier embarrassed a player or called-out his team as the primary landing ground for blame. He has been incredibly consistent in his messaging to the players. He has tried to build this thing from the ground-up and focused on a strong foundation with everyone rowing in the same direction and no one letting go of their paddle. Gator Nation has not been plagued by footballs scandals. No arrests; No NCAA investigations; No death threats; No mug-shots; No suspensions; No coaching fines.

I have close friends very high-up in LSU. They tell me that they see it now. They do not have a positive culture there. Their coach cares more about his own whistle than the betterment of the young men he coaches. They know it will not end well.

Some may think Billy's approach is an outdated, ineffective way to lead in today's social-media heavy, must-win-now, NIL and portal transfer world. I get it because we see examples on occasion of where that more frenzied approach has been successful at other places. I guess we will all find out together as this thing progresses. I know that when the Gators were looking for a head coach 3 years ago, we wanted something different than a quick start with early wins only to fizzle out in short order (been there done that with Swamp Donkey and Mullen). We wanted something sustainable. We wanted a coach who would be here a decade or more because hiring, firing, and paying buyouts for bad work is a really crappy recipe for success. Gator Nation deserved better. The AD had to do better.

I am not blind. I see the silly mistakes, the penalties, the losses, the painful lack of progress at times. I am not concluding by any means that Billy is "safe." But I also see ZERO QUIT in this team and coaching staff. These players have each others' backs. They will go to war for their coach - even when they are losing far too many battles. They are all in this together. This is a really, really tight group. There is no - and never has been -- team dissension. Trust me, we had a lot of that with our prior coaches.

And Gator Nation is something special (even with the few people here parked on my ignore list). When you sell out the 90k+ stadium game after game during losing season after losing season; when you are regularly in the bottom half of the SEC standings and yet you cannot hear yourself think on a Saturday in the Swamp; when 5 star recruits say they have never seen an atmosphere like Ben Hill Griffin Stadium; when Tom Petty is trending on Apple Music because of ..... us.; you understand why we deserve - no, why we demand! -- something consistently exceptional.

That is why, for me, it is so easy to root for Billy to turn this thing around. I know we are not there. We have a long way to go. I know one BIG win is not a trend. But holy crap, wasn't that fun last night!!!! Can't we ignore all the noise for just a little bit and storm the field in our own minds? Can't we jump in the boat, pick up a paddle and just row for a bit?

Because if Napier can get us back to where we belong, he will be here a very long time. And we will all be glad he is.

KC

Played his best game as a Gator yesterday. Slaughter really started to show out last year in November and I'm seeing it with Harris this year (to a lesser degree, though).

Our OL is going to be a serious team strength next season.

It feels like it is 87-1.

Week 13​

Tuesday, Nov. 19

7 p.m. | Akron at Kent State | CBSSN
7:30 p.m. | Western Michigan at Central Michigan | ESPN2
8 p.m. | Northern Illinois at Miami (Ohio) | ESPN

Wednesday, Nov. 20

7 p.m. | Buffalo at Eastern Michigan | ESPNU
7 p.m. | Ohio at Toledo | ESPN2

Thursday, Nov. 21

7:30 p.m. | NC State at Georgia Tech | ESPN

Friday, Nov. 22

7 p.m. | Temple at UTSA | ESPN2
8 p.m. | Purdue at Michigan State | FOX
10 p.m. | UNLV at San Jose State | FS1

Saturday, Nov. 23

12 p.m. | Indiana at Ohio State | FOX
12 p.m. | Wake Forest at Miami (Fla.) | ESPN
12 p.m. | Ole Miss at Florida | ABC/ESPN+
12 p.m. | SMU at Virginia | ESPN2
12 p.m. | Iowa at Maryland | Big Ten Network
12 p.m. | UConn at Syracuse | ACC Network
12 p.m. | North Carolina at Boston College | CW Network
112 p.m. | Illinois at Rutgers | Peacock
12 p.m. | Yale at Harvard | ESPNU
12:30 p.m. | UCF at West Virginia | ESPNU
12:45 p.m. | UMass at Georgia | SEC Network
1 p.m. | UTEP at Tennessee | ESPN+/SECN+
1 p.m. | Western Kentucky at Liberty | ESPN+
1:30 p.m. | Charleston Southern at Florida State | ESPN+/ACCNX
2 p.m. | North Dakota State at South Dakota | ESPN+
2:30 p.m. | James Madison at Appalachian State | ESPN+
3 p.m. | Florida International at Kennesaw State | ESPN+
3 p.m. | UL Monroe at Arkansas State | ESPN+
3 p.m. | South Alabama at Southern Miss | ESPN+
3 p.m. | Charlotte at Florida Atlantic | ESPN+
3 p.m. | Central Arkansas at Tarleton State | ESPN+
3 p.m. | Utah Tech at Southern Utah | ESPN+
3 p.m. | Lindenwood at UT Martin | ESPN+
3 p.m. | Northwestern State at Houston Christian | ESPN+
3 p.m. | Cal Poly at Weber State | ESPN+
3 p.m. | Eastern Washington at Northern Arizona | ESPN+
3 p.m. | Furman at Mercer | ESPN+
3 p.m. | South Dakota State at Missouri State | ESPN+
3 p.m. | Prairie View A&M at Alabama State | ESPN+
3 p.m. | Jackson State at Alcorn State | ESPN+
3 p.m. | Western Carolina at Samford | ESPN+
3 p.m. | Abilene Christian at Stephen F. Austin | ESPN+
3 p.m. | Arizona at TCU | ESPN+
3:30 p.m. | Florida A&M vs. Bethune-Cookman (at Camping World Stadium in Orlando) | ESPN+
3:30 p.m. | Kentucky at Texas | ABC/ESPN+
3:30 p.m. | BYU at Arizona State | ESPN
3:30 p.m. | Colorado vs. Kansas (at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri) | FOX
3:30 p.m. | The Citadel at Clemson | CW Network
3:30 p.m. | Northwestern at Michigan | FS1
3:30 p.m. | Stanford at Cal | ACC Network
3:30 p.m. | San Diego State at Utah State | CBSSN
3:30 p.m. | Georgia Southern at Coastal Carolina
3:30 p.m. | Wisconsin at Nebraska | BTN
3:30 p.m. | East Carolina at North Texas | ESPN+
3:30 p.m. | Tulsa at South Florida | ESPN+
3:30 p.m. | Penn State at Minnesota | CBSSN
3:30 p.m. | Texas Tech at Oklahoma State | ESPN+
4 p.m. | Wofford at South Carolina | ESPN+/SECN+
4 p.m. | Louisiana Tech at Arkansas | ESPN+/SECN+
4 p.m. | Northern Colorado at Portland State | ESPN+
4 p.m. | Pitt at Louisville | ESPN2
4:15 p.m. | Missouri at Mississippi State | SEC Network
4:30 p.m. | Southeast Missouri State at Tennessee State | ESPN+
5 p.m. | Troy at Louisiana | ESPN+
5 p.m. | UC Davis at Sacramento State | ESPN+
6 p.m. | Idaho at Idaho State | ESPN+
7 p.m. | Army vs. Notre Dame (Yankee Stadium at the Bronx, New York) | NBC/Peacock
7 p.m. | Boise State at Wyoming | CBSSN
7 p.m. | Washington State at Oregon State | CW Network
7 p.m. | Georgia State at Texas State | ESPN+
7 p.m. | Baylor at Houston | FS1
7:30 p.m. | Alabama at Oklahoma | ABC/ESPN+
7:30 p.m. | Texas A&M at Auburn | ESPN
7:30 p.m. | Marshall at Old Dominion | ESPNU
7:30 p.m. | Iowa State at Utah | FOX
7:45 p.m. | Vanderbilt at LSU | SEC Network
8 p.m. | Virginia Tech at Duke | ACC Network
8 p.m. | Lamar at McNeese | ESPN+
8 p.m. | Cincinnati at Kansas State | ESPN2
10:30 p.m. | Air Force at Nevada | FS1
10:30 p.m. | Colorado State at Fresno State | CBSSN
10:30 p.m. | USC at UCLA | NBC

I will be adding to this tonight and probably tomorrow into Monday some....

On Saturday the broadcast showed Tyreak Sapp kissing the Gator head in the tunnel. There was senior day when Brandon Spikes kissed the field before being introduced and in 2014 on senior day Patric Young, Scottie Wilbekin, Casey Prather and Will Yeguete all kissed mid court before they left for the last time. Maybe the SEC stole It Just Means More from us.

Rivals has the full breakdown and why he's the compliment to DJ Lagway moving forward

Had a great time in the swamp yesterday. Was an electric crowd for sure. What is happening with our talented tight ends. Seems they are not being targeted all. Seems Hayden is blocking well. Did Arlis B even play last night? Was he hurt?

Anyone seen the faces of @Illegal-shift or @kalimgoodman on the back of a milk carton?

Just curious if a health and welfare check was needed?

As a dolphins fan, this is Fuching embarrassing.

Login to view embedded media

VS


Nov 15 (Fri) 6 PMGators Sports Network from LEARFIELD

at
Florida State
Tallahassee, FL

• Watch
• Listen
• Live Stats
• Preview
• Pregame Notes

Well done Gator band.

Login to view embedded media

…who’s ready to admit it????

Judgment free zone in this thread…

and they might even win two of their last five to go to a bowl…just sayin’…

sadgator thinks it’s amusing that so many people are gonna be scratching their heads like, “how is Lane Kiffin ever gonna be our coach if the job never comes open!!?!?!?”

Saw on social media he committed..

Trying to confirm?

@Heisman Gator 1

Login to view embedded media