ChompTalk.com

DJ Lagway will get his first SEC start on a Homecoming Saturday as the Florida Gators (3-3, 1-2 SEC) seek to avoid a third-straight loss to the Kentucky Wildcats (3-3, 1-3 SEC) under Billy Napier. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:45 PM.

The Gators are coming off a 23-17 overtime loss at Tennessee. Florida squandered its 10-0 lead in the third quarter, and the Volunteers scored 17 unanswered points before DJ Lagway’s late fourth-quarter touchdown pass effectively sent the game to overtime. UF’s weak opening possession in overtime led to a missed field goal, and Tennessee capitalized with a touchdown to end the game. 

Graham Mertz suffered an ACL tear in the third quarter that ended his season and college career. The senior elected not to apply for a medical redshirt year and thanked teammates and fans for their support in an Instagram post Monday.

Kentucky is coming off a 20-13 home loss to a surprisingly good Vanderbilt squad. Special teams woes cost the Wildcats in critical moments. A poor hold on a 20-yard field goal and a missed extra point in the second half allowed Vanderbilt to widen the gap on the scoreboard.

Special teams is not Kentucky’s only position group struggling recently. The offense has averaged 12.8 PPG against non-Power 4 opponents, and quarterback Brock Vandagriff has not recorded over 250 passing yards in a game this season.

Kentucky’s rushing attack is always a point of emphasis under head coach Mark Stoops. Wildcats’ running back Ray Davis posted 280 yards and three touchdowns in Florida’s defeat last season. This year, though, Kentucky has struggled to utilize its dominance in the trenches. The squad has been unable to score points despite averaging over 153 rushing yards per game. 

On the other hand, Kentucky’s defense is its strongest unit. It has allowed a mere 16.7 PPG to its last three SEC opponents, including Georgia and Ole Miss. The only SEC quarterback to throw for over 200 yards against Kentucky was Jaxson Dart. Carson Beck (160 yards) and Diego Pavia (143 yards) were unable to meet that mark.

Napier has yet to beat Stoops head-to-head. Kentucky defeated Florida 26-16 in The Swamp in 2022 and notched a 33-14 victory at Kroger Field last season.

DJ Lagway will look to end Kentucky’s winning streak against Florida this Saturday. He faces a tall task in his first SEC start, but he’ll be surrounded by Gator fans in The Swamp for one of the biggest moments of his early career. The freshman must play with poise to secure a victory against a strong Kentucky defense. 

“I think he’s gonna work extremely hard and I’m gonna tell you he’s been preparing as if he’s one play away from being the guy the whole time,” Napier said at a press conference Monday.