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    • Three takeaways from Florida's football loss to Georgia
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    Three takeaways from Florida's football loss to Georgia

    Kathleen William Posted on

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    JACKSONVILLE – Florida football has closed the gap on No. 2 Georgia in its third year under head coach Billy Napier.

    But thanks to third-string quarterback Aidan Warner, a preferred backup and Yale transfer, the Florida Gators couldn't muster enough resolve in a 34-20 loss to Georgia on Saturday at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville.

    Warner replaced starter DJ Lagway, who was carted off the field with 5:01 left in the second quarter with a hamstring injury when his shoe got stuck in the turf. Lagway returned to the sideline in the fourth quarter on crutches and his left leg heavily bandaged.

    Florida (4-4, 2-3 SEC) has lost its seventh game in its last eight meetings with UGA and now faces an uncertain future without Lagway, a five-star freshman phenom who is 2-0 as a starter Game went.

    UF tied the score at 20-20 with a 15-yard TD by running back Ja'Kobi Jackson with 7:29 left in the fourth quarter. But Georgia responded with a seven-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, capped by a 10-yard TD pass from quarterback Carson Beck to receiver Dominic Lovett.

    Warner threw an interception on UF's next possession, setting up a 4-yard TD from Dwight Phillips Jr. to extend the UGA lead to 34-20 with 3:03 left.

    Beck completed 25 of 40 passes for 309 yards for Georgia with two touchdowns and three interceptions. Georgia running back Trevor Etienne, who transferred from UF to UGA in the offseason, finished the game with 31 yards on seven carries before leaving in the first half with a rib injury.

    Here are three takeaways from the loss in Florida:

    Florida football can't overcome another devastating QB injury

    When Lagway left, Florida had a 10-3 lead. With Warner at quarterback, the Gators then scored 10 points. Warner completed 7 of 22 passes for 66 yards and one interception.

    Lagway wasn't Florida's only injury. Both cornerbacks — Devin Moore (knee) and Dijon Johnson — suffered game-ending injuries. UF had to use converted safety Trikweze Bridges and Cormani McClain at cornerback in the second half.

    Takeaways sparked Florida football in the first half

    Florida Football scored 10 points off two turnovers in the first half to take a 13-6 lead. Cornerback Devin Moore recorded the first interception, returning it 32 yards to Georgia's 43 yards. On the next play, Lagway connected with Aidan Mizell for a 44-yard TD pass for a 7-3 lead.

    Defensive back Aaron Gates' 30-yard interception return later in the second quarter set up a 32-yard field goal by Trey Smack that extended UF's lead to 10-3.

    Florida forced a third interception in the third quarter when linebacker Grayson hit Howard Beck as he released the ball and defensive end Jack Pyburn secured the helicopter throw. But the Gators were unable to get any points out of it, despite taking over from Georgia at 41st.

    Special teams mistake proves costly for Florida football

    With the score tied at 13, Florida kicker Trey Smack was ready for a 51-yard scoring attempt with 2:58 left in the third quarter that could have given UF the lead. But Smack, who made a 53-yard field goal attempt late in the first half, never had a chance to score the ball.

    Long snapper Rocco Underwood delivered a low snap that holder Jeremy Crawshaw couldn't hold on to, and the fumble rolled 31 yards into Florida territory. Jalon Walker got Georgia's equalizer back at the UF 36. Two plays later, Beck connected with Cash Jones for a 22-yard TD, giving Georgia a 20-13 lead with 1:27 left in the third quarter

    Kevin Brockway is the Florida beat writer for The Gainesville Sun. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow him on X @KevinBrockwayG1

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    Kathleen William
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