Sep. 05, 2024 14:10 PM EST

Highly Touted Florida Freshman Dj Lagway Steps In For Graham Mertz Against Samford

By The Associated Press
Florida quarterback DJ Lagway (2) looks for a receiver during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Miami, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) John Raoux, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Florida quarterback DJ Lagway (2) looks for a receiver during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Miami, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Florida quarterback DJ Lagway (2) looks for a receiver as he is chased by Miami defensive lineman Elijah Alston (11) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Florida quarterback Graham Mertz, front left, is looked at by head coach Billy Napier, top right, and other team personnel after he was injured during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Miami, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
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Samford (0-1) at Florida (0-1), Saturday, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

BetMGM College Football Odds: No line.

Series record: Florida leads 3-0.

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

Potentially Florida coach Billy Napier’s job. Napier can ill-afford a lackluster effort against the lower-division Bulldogs in the Swamp, not after last week’s 41-17 drubbing at the hands of then-No. 19 Miami. The Gators were dominated on both lines of scrimmage, so outmatched that the home crowd started heading for the exits in third quarter.

KEY MATCHUP

Napier versus a frustrated fanbase. This could be a game in which the Florida faithful show how far they’ve swung from enthusiastic to apathetic in one week. Napier is likely to get booed during pre-game introductions. He is 11-15 in Gainesville, including a six-game skid.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Samford: QB Quincy Crittendon became only the second quarterback in coach Chris Hatcher’s 10-year tenure to throw for 300 yards and rush for 90 more in the same game. He could pose problems for the Gators, who have struggled to slow down dual-threat passers the last few years.

Florida: Freshman QB DJ Lagway makes his first career start, stepping in for injured senior Graham Mertz (concussion). A five-star prospect from Willis, Texas, Lagway was the consensus No. 1 QB recruit in the country last year. He threw for 4,604 and 58 touchdowns as a senior at Willis High. He also led the team in rushing with 957 yards and 16 scores.

FACTS & FIGURES

Samford gave Florida a scare in 2021. The Bulldogs led 42-35 at halftime and set the record for the most points scored against the Gators in any half at Florida Field. … The Bulldogs have 11 current players who saw action in that game, which the Gators won 70-52. … Samford is 2-81-3 against teams from the Southeastern Conference, with the victories coming against Mississippi State in 1909 and 1934. … Florida will be without four defensive starters: safety Asa Turner, cornerback Devin Moore, nickel cornerback Sharif Denson and defensive tackle Joey Slackman. … The Gators have scored in an NCAA-record 449 consecutive games, 53 longer than anyone else in college football history.

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