ChompTalk.com

For the first time in history, the Florida Gators started a true freshman at quarterback and running back against an SEC opponent on Saturday, and the pairing did not disappoint.

Florida (4-3, 2-2 SEC) thrashed the Kentucky Wildcats (3-4, 1-4) 48-20 on Saturday night in front of a sold-out crowd at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on homecoming week.

Quarterback DJ Lagway and running back Jaden Baugh both put on dazzling displays to lead the charge in Florida’s highest-scoring game of the season thus far.

“Some of those young players are really good,” said the Gators’ third-year head coach Billy Napier after the game. “Both those kids are incredible people, too. Humble, talented and stepped up. We’re without Graham. We’re without Montrell. Not only did they play well, they were lights out.”

With Montrell Johnson Jr. out with a lower-body injury he sustained the week prior, Baugh had a night to remember in his first career start. He totaled 106 yards on the ground on 22 carries with five scores. This tied a school record for rushing touchdowns in a game with only Tim Tebow and Trey Burton as the others who have amassed five scores on the ground in one contest for the Gators.

Baugh had his way with the defensive front of Kentucky that had given up fewer than 90 yards per game on the ground and just four rushing touchdowns total coming into the week.

While all five of his scores came within 10 yards of the goal line, Baugh showed off his burst with a game-high 27-yard gash that brought Florida out from the shadow of their goalpost.

Most of the scoring from Baugh was set up by the fireworks display that was put on by Lagway and his elite arm. In his second career start and first in a conference game, there seemed to be no nerves for the five-star who has been handed the keys to the program following Graham Mertz’s season-ending ACL tear against Tennessee.

While he was not asked to throw the ball too often against the Wildcats, Lagway rose to the occasion when he was. Lagway finished 7-for-14 in the air with 259 yards and an interception. An average of 37 yards per completion is something that Florida fans have been waiting to see in the Billy Napier era, which has been dominated by short, low-risk throws.

Lagway definitely took some risks on Saturday but more often than not, they paid off. On the opening drive, while rolling to his left, Lagway heaved a perfect ball that was caught by Eugene Wilson III who made his way to the red zone. This set up a field goal to open the scoring.

The freshman phenom’s favorite target on the night was Arizona State transfer, Elijhah Badger. The pair connected three times, once for 40 yards, one time for 50 and another for 58 as the Kentucky secondary was no match for the speed of Badger and ball placement of Lagway.

The QB also completed two passes to Wisconsin transfer Chimere Dike with the longest being 44 yards downfield. This was the second time this season Lagway has completed five passes of at least 40 yards with the other coming in his only previous start against Samford. He is the only quarterback in the last 20 years to have that many 40+ yard completions in a game for the Gators, and he’s now done it twice.

If Lagway and Baugh can continue to show off that kind of talent and ability the rest of this season and beyond, there is a lot to be excited about in Gainesville. While this year hasn’t gone the way some Florida fans would’ve hoped so far, there is no doubt that the future is bright in the backfield for the Gators.