The Florida Gators’ season has been defined by frustrating moments and missed opportunities, with several key plays highlighting the team’s struggles.
Cam Ward’s 24-yard TD Pass to Xavier Restrepo
The season opener against Miami quickly became a nightmare for the Gators. Despite some optimism after Montrell Johnson’s 71-yard touchdown run cut Miami’s lead to 17-10, Florida’s defense faltered, allowing Cam Ward to connect with Xavier Restrepo for a 24-yard touchdown just before halftime, extending Miami’s lead to 24-10. The Hurricanes scored again early in the second half, pushing the score to 31-10, effectively sealing the blowout.
DJ Lagway’s 41-yard Touchdown Pass vs. Samford
Even though it came against an overmatched Samford team, DJ Lagway’s 41-yard touchdown pass to Aidan Mizell showcased the kind of explosive playmaking Florida’s offense had been missing. Up 21-7 in the third quarter, Lagway’s deep throw signaled a shift toward a more vertical passing game, something the Gators lacked under Graham Mertz. The performance hinted at Lagway’s potential, proving the big play was not just a one-off.
THROW IT ANYWAY @DerekLagway
💻 https://t.co/hB4MreiMiV pic.twitter.com/Q9pCPQRe6D
— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) September 8, 2024
Marcel Reed’s 73-yard TD Pass to Cyrus Allen
Following a loss to Miami, Florida’s defensive struggles continued against Texas A&M. The Gators fell behind 20-0 by halftime, giving up several lengthy drives. Though Florida managed to cut the deficit to 20-7 after halftime, a complete breakdown in the secondary allowed Marcel Reed to find Cyrus Allen for a 73-yard touchdown, quickly restoring a 27-7 lead. The Gators’ defensive issues persisted, ultimately leading to a 33-20 defeat.
Fourth-and-1 Stop Against UCF
The first four weeks of Florida’s season were marked by defensive struggles, with a soft coverage approach that often failed to stop opponents on third and short. After a bye week, the defense became more aggressive, highlighted by a crucial fourth-and-1 stop against UCF. On the play, Jack Pyburn disrupted KJ Jefferson’s attempt to run up the middle, helping the defense rally to stop UCF short. The Gators followed that up with other key defensive plays, including a goal-line stand against Kentucky.
#Gators get a huge 4th down stop, shutting down Knights QB KJ Jefferson on a 4th and 1
Offense will take over at the UCF 43, with DJ Lagway in at QB pic.twitter.com/5t7v4N2abQ
— Noah Ram (@Noah_ram1) October 6, 2024
Ten-Second Run-Off Against Tennessee
Late-game execution cost Florida dearly in a loss to Tennessee. With no time left in the first half, Florida lined up for a field goal but was penalized for having 12 men on the field. The infraction led to a ten-second run-off, ending the half without any points. The mishap echoed similar issues from the previous season, where clock management and procedural mistakes proved costly. The Gators ultimately fell to Tennessee in overtime.
Throughout these moments, Coach Billy Napier’s emphasis on the process has come under scrutiny. While he speaks of focusing on preparation, recurring execution issues have prevented Florida from achieving meaningful success. Until these mistakes are corrected, skepticism about Napier’s ability to lead the Gators to higher levels of success will persist.
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