Florida gave Georgia all they wanted and more on Saturday.  However, like so many other times since 2022, the Gators faded in the 4th quarter due to some questionable play calls, sketchy QB play, and a defense that cracked at the worst time.

As I hoped, the offense came out with some added juice without the anchor that was Rural Meyer holding them down.  DJ Lagway was accurate early, and Tre Wilson came straight off of a milk carton to make some impact plays, including a 42 yard TD reception after a Lagway scramble to tie the game at 7.  It was a nice response to Georgia’s opening TD drive, and provided a peek at how close this game would turn out to be.  Florida had another nice drive on it’s next possession to take a 10-7 lead before the 1st quarter ended, with a clutch 54-yard FG bomb from Trey Smack.  Then, both offenses were pretty much shut down until the Bulldogs scored just before halftime, set up by a short punt.  By then the Gators had less than 30 yards rushing, and they had to make some adjustments during the break.  After Georgia scored on their first possession of the 3rd quarter to take a 17-10 lead, you could feel the momentum swing their way, and the Gators needed to respond.  And eventually they did, tying the game at 17 midway through the quarter with a more balanced drive that saw the running game start to have an impact.  After getting the ball back following a bad Bulldog punt, Florida took the lead 20-17.  And here’s where the game was decided.  After the Gator defense got the ball back, Florida executed one of it’s best drives of the season, a methodical mix of quick passes and tough runs to drive inside the UGA 30-yard line with just under 7 minutes to play.  And then……the wheels fell off.  After Lagway was stopped just short on 3rd down and 3, interim coach Billy Gonzales seemed to suddenly become possessed by the ghost of Billy Napier.  I was fine giving the ball to your best player – Jaden Baugh – on 4th down, but I absolutely hated the bunch formation, which made it too easy for the Bulldogs to stuff him on the carry.  And just like that, everything changed.  Georgia drove right down the field for the go-ahead TD.  Florida tried to respond, but Lagway grossly underthrew J Michael Sturdivant on a broken play, wiping out a potential long pass completion down to the Bulldog 25-yard line.  That was followed by a missed read on a 4th down pass, and the game was essentially over.  Georgia ran out the clock and Florida never touched the ball again.

The Gator defense played well in spurts throughout the game, but never could make the key stop to secure the win.  Allowing an opening TD drive was disappointing, as QB Gunnar Stockton passed at will for an easy score.  The defense responded well after that, stopping the Bulldogs most of the rest of the half, until……giving up the go-ahead TD right before the half.  After letting the Bulldogs stretch their lead to 7 on the first possession of the second half, the defense again stiffened until the failed Gator 4th-down run, and after that simply could not get off the field.  Too many 3rd-down conversions allowed – collapsing at precisely the worst time.  There were some heroic efforts from a handful of the linemen and LBs, and even the Edge rushers finally showed up for a few sacks and key stops.  But there’s just enough lack of experience and elite talent to get close, but not quite to, the finish line against good competition.

It was a solid effort, and with a few better coaching decisions and more consistent execution from Lagway, the upset was there for the taking.  Instead, it became a trick instead of a treat the day after Halloween, and the Florida football program remains haunted after another failed coaching tenure.  Lagway’s play has been far short of the hype and NIL payments he has received, and the criticism is growing louder……much of it warranted.  Despite the documented injuries, his judgement and reading of coverages has been poor throughout 2025, and it has directly cost Florida wins over USF, LSU, and now Georgia.  Will we see Gonzales go to the bullpen to perhaps find a spark with another QB, or even light a fire under Lagway?  It’s doubtful, but it should have happened already earlier in the season.  We’ll see how well the staff can rally the team to play a good game at Kentucky.  My fear, though, is that the players may be on the verge of losing focus and intensity, and the rest of the season turns even uglier.