OGT-Florida vs Gators vs Samford 9/7/2024 7:00 pm SECN

Florida Gators (0-1, 0-0 SEC) vsC(0-1, 0-0 SoCon)
September 7 // 7 p.m. ET // Gainesville, Fla.
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Steve Spurrier-Florida Field (88,548


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Channel (DirecTV): stream only

Gator Sports Network from LEARFIELD
Play-by-Play: Sean Kelley
Analyst: Shane Matthews
Reporter: Tate Casey
Channel: Local Affiliates
SiriusXM Channel: 132 or 201

 

THE STORYLINE​

• Week 2 marks the fourth all-time meeting between Florida and Samford and the first since 2021 (UF 70, SU 52).

• With 122 combined points, the 2021 meeting was the highest-scoring game in the history of The Swamp.
• It was the second-highest scoring game in team history behind the 1913 season opener vs. Florida Southern (W, 144-0).

• Florida’s 717 yards vs. Samford ranks second all-time in program history (774 yards vs. West Texas State in 1982).
• Prior to the 2021 meeting, it had been 99 years since the Gators last played the Bulldogs on Oct. 28, 1922 (UF 57, SU 0).

• Going further back, Florida defeated Samford in consecutive seasons from 1921-22.

• In those two games, Florida topped Samford (then Howard College) by a combined margin of 91-0 (34-0, 57-0).

• In each of its last three FCS games since 2021, Florida has eclipsed 560 total yards while rushing for over 250 yards.

• Florida is 23-1 vs. FCS teams dating back to 1981, with the lone loss coming against Georgia Southern in 2013.

• The Gators have outscored their opponents in those 24 games by an average margin of 38.8 points.

• Florida has totaled 400-plus yards while passing for 200-plus yards in eight-straight games vs. FCS teams since 2014.

• The Gators have racked up 400-plus yards in 16 of its 18 games against FCS schools dating back to 1996.

• Florida had its NCAA-best, 34-game win streak in home openers snapped in Week 1 against Miami.

• The Gators have lost just three season openers since 1990, going 32-3 in that span (2017 vs. Michigan, 2023 at Utah).

• In Week 1, Florida had 20 Gators debuts and 10 collegiate debuts while seven defenders made their first starts at UF.

• Florida owns the No. 1 strength of schedule in the country, featuring eight Preseason AP Top-20 opponents.

• Last season, Florida ranked second nationally and first in the SEC in completion percentage (72.3%).

• This is the first meeting between Florida HC Billy Napier and Samford HC Chris Hatcher as head coaches (more in
‘Crossing Paths’ on Page 9).

• Dating back to the 2018 season, Napier ranks 14th in the FBS with 51 total victories. He has more wins than Mike Norvell
(50), Lane Kiffin (50), Sonny Dykes (48), Mark Stoops (48) and Mario Cristobal (48) in that time, among others.

• The Gators have won 13 of their last 18 games in The Swamp (including eight of 12), but are 2-16 in their last 18
contests outside The Swamp and 2-12 in their last 14 true road games.

• Florida boasts a 359-116-13 (.749) all-time record at The Swamp, holding the third-highest home winning percent-
age in the nation since 1990 with a 178-37 (.828) record.
» The Gators have outscored opponents, 8,034 to 3,517 in 215 games inside The Swamp since 1990, putting the
average outcome at 37.4 to 16.4 (21.0 points).

• Florida has scored in 449-consecutive games dating back to 1988 - an NCAA record and 53 games longer than any
other college football team in the history of the sport

 

QUICK FACTS​

General Information
Location: Gainesville, Fla.
Enrollment: 60,567
Interim President: Dr. Kent Fuchs
Athletic Director: Scott Stricklin
Conference: Southeastern (SEC)
Nickname: Gators
Colors: Orange (PMS 172) & Blue (PMS 287)
Stadium (Capacity): Steve Spurrier-Florida Field
at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (88,548)
Surface: Grass
Press Box Number: (352) 378-9590
Football History
All-Time Record: 758-445-40 (116 years)
First Season of Football: 1906
National Championships: 3 (‘96, ‘06, ‘08)
SEC Championships: 8
(‘91, ‘93, ‘94, ‘95, ‘96, ‘00, ‘06, ‘08)
Bowl Games: 48 appearances (24-24)
2021 Record: 6-7 (2-6 SEC)
2022 Record: 6-7 (3-5 SEC)
2023 Record: 5-7 (3-5 SEC)
2024 Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Billy Napier
Co-Offensive Coordinator / Offensive Line:
Rob Sale
Defensive Coordinator: Austin Armstrong
Co-Offensive Coordinator / Tight Ends: Russ
Callaway
Executive Head Coach, Co-Defensive Coordi-
nator / Inside Linebackers: Ron Roberts
Associate HC - Offense / Running Backs:
Jabbar Juluke
Assistant Coach / Defensive Line: Gerald
Chatham
Assistant Coach / Wide Receivers:
Billy Gonzales
Assistant Coach / Secondary: Will Harris
Assistant Coach / Edge / Alumni: Mike Peterson
Assistant OL Coach: Jonathan Decoster
Director of Strength & Conditioning:Ty

 

UNFINISHED BIZ FOR MERTZ, LAGWAY DEBUTS -​

• After leading the SEC with a program-record 72.9% completion percentage last season (third nationally),
QB Graham Mertz started 5-of-6 for 42 yards in Week 1 vs. Miami, but went just 6-for-14 on his final 20 pass
attempts to finish 11-for-20 (55.0%) with 91 yards and one touchdown.

• Week 1 vs. Miami was Mertz’s first game at Florida in which he did not throw a touchdown pass.

• It was also Mertz’s first UF game with a completion percentage below 62.0% while his 83.2 rating marked his
first game as a Gator below 137.0.

• Mertz’s 11-game streak completing at least 62.0% of his passes with one passing touchdown was snapped
(70.5%, 82.4%, 79.2%, 87.5%, 83.3%, 83.3%, 62.5%, 71.0%, 62.0%, 68.0%, 67.0%, 55.0%).

• True freshman 5-star QB DJ Lagway made his UF debut in the fourth quarter and showed flashes, finishing
3-for-6 passing for 31 yards and one interception while rushing for 20 yards on four carries.

• Mertz has thrown just three interceptions across his last 373 passes.

• Across his last seven games dating back to last season, Mertz has thrown for 1,774 passing yards (253.4 YPG),
162 completions, a 67.8% completion percentage, 14 touchdowns and two interceptions.

• Mertz has started all 44 games he has played since 2020, ranking t-second among active FBS QBs in games
played in that span behind only FSU’s DJ Uiagalelei.

• Last season, Mertz ranked sixth in the FBS and second in the SEC behind Jayden Daniels in TD-INT ratio (6.7),
owning 20 touchdowns and three interceptions.

• Mertz’s 157.8 passer rating in 2023 was the highest rating by a UF quarterback since Trask’s 180.0 in 2020
(second-highest since Tim Tebow in 2009), ranking 10th all-time in single-season program history.

• Mertz ranked fourth in single-season program history with 261 completions in 2023.

• Mertz set a program record by going 239-consecutive pass attempts without an interception from Week 5 at
Kentucky to Week 12 at Missouri last season, breaking Tim Tebow’s previous mark of 203 from 2007-08.

• Mertz opened the campaign with six-consecutive performances with a completion percentage above 70.0%
(first Gator to ever do so) and accomplished the feat in eight of 11 games last season.

• In Week 6 vs. Vanderbilt, Mertz (30-for-36, 83% comp.) joined Tim Tebow (2010 vs. Cincinnati*) as the only
Florida quarterbacks to complete 80.0% of his passes or better on 35 attempts or more since 1996.

 

JOHNSON JR. OPENS DOAK WALKER CAMPAIGN HOT -​

• Fresh of leading the UF backfield in carries (152) and net rushing yardage (817) for the second-straight year
last season, RB Montrell Johnson Jr. started 2024 off with a bang with 106 yards on 11 carries and one TD.

• Johnson Jr. averaged 9.6 YPC, ranking eighth in the FBS and second in the SEC (minimum 10 carries).

• Representing UF’s first TD of the season, Johnson Jr.’s 71-yard TD in the second quarter vs. Miami is the
sixth-longest rush in the FBS so far this year.

• Johnson Jr. eclipsed 2,500 career rushing yards and 2,000 all-purpose yards at UF in Week 1.

• Johnson Jr. rushed for 100-plus yards for the ninth time in his career and for the seventh time as a Gator.

• Johnson Jr.’s 28 career rushing TDs rank first among active SEC players and sixth in the FBS. He owns 30
multi-purpose TDs (18 at UF: 16 rushing, two receiving).

• Johnson Jr. is tied for seventh in the SEC (t-sixth among RBs) with 16 rushing touchdowns since 2022,
including t-first among active SEC rushers.

• Johnson Jr. finished with six total touchdowns (five rushing, one receiving) while adding 236 receiving
yards on 30 grabs in 2023.

• Florida has punched in a rushing TD in eight-consecutive games and in 22 of 26 contests since 2022.

 

EUGENE ‘TRE’ WILSON III’S SOPHOMORE STANDOUT -

• WR Eugene Wilson III led UF with seven receptions, eight targets and 50 yards in Week 1.

• It was the fifth time in his last eight games that Wilson caught at least seven passes.

• Since Week 4 vs. Vandy last season, Wilson III is averaging 7.0 catches and 60.5 YPG with six TDs (eight games).

• In the last
six games, he has produced 420 yards on 48 catches including five TDs.

• Wilson III led all FBS true freshmen in receptions per game (6.1) in 2023 while ranking second in catches
(61), t-second in receiving TDs (six), fourth in receiving YPG (53.8) and seventh in receiving yards (538).

• Wilson III became the first Florida true freshman to eclipse 500 receiving yards since Antonio Callaway in
2015, who holds the UF freshman receiving record with 678 yards.

• Wilson III paced UF in receiving yardage three times last season (Weeks 3, 10 & 13) including a career-high
90 yards on eight catches and two touchdowns (career high) vs. Arkansas in Week 10.

• Wilson III became the first true freshman receiver at Florida to record multiple touchdowns in a contest
since Riley Cooper recorded three vs. Western Carolina on Nov. 18, 2006.

• Against Georgia in 2023, Wilson III set a UF freshman record with a career-high 11 receptions.

 

- THE 2024 RECEIVING ROOM -​

• The Gators returned four of its top-five receivers from 2024 in terms of receptions AND yardage: Eugene Wilson III
(61 for 538), TE Arlis Boardingham (26 for 289), WR Kahleil Jackson (21 for 251) and RB Montrell Johnson Jr. (30
for 236).

• Of those to catch multiple touchdown passes for Florida last year, three of four were freshmen: Wilson III (6),
Boardingham (4) and TE Hayden Hansen (2).

• Boardingham caught one pass for four yards in Week 1 while Jackson finished with one grab for 13 yards.

• Transfer wide receivers Elihjah Badger and Chimere Dike made their Gators debuts in Week 1.

• Badger caught a 19-yard pass on Florida’s first drive and has now recorded a reception in 27-straight games, a
streak that ranks 10th in the FBS.

• In his first game after transferring from Arizona State, Badger finished second on the Gators with three
catches and 43 yards.

• Badger now owns 144 career catches, 1,675 yards 10 receiving TDs and three rushing TDs.

• Dike also hauled in one pass for 11 yards.

• In addition to Badger, Florida brought in Wisconsin transfer Dike, who was a 2022 All-Big Ten Honorable Men-
tion. Dike played in 44 games over four seasons at UW, tallying 97 receptions, 1,478 yards and nine TDs.

• Four-star RS freshman wideouts Aidan Mizell (2 games, 2 catches, 25 yards) and Andy Jean (4 games, 6
catches, 97 yards) look to take a major step forward in their second year with the program.

• True freshman receivers Tank Hawkins (No. 241 recruit per 247Sports) and TJ Abrams (No. 366 recruit per On3)
provide youthful depth at the position, as both represent consensus four-star recruits.

 

- BOLSTERING THE BACKFIELD -​

• Florida has rushed for 100-plus yards in 21 of their last 26 games dating back to last season.

• RB Treyaun Webb scored his third-career rushing TD in Week 1.

• RB Jadan Baugh and RB KD Daniels made their collegiate debuts as true freshmen in Week 1.

• Primed to serve as Johnson Jr.’s primary backup, sophomore Webb rushed 26 times for 163 yards and one
touchdown in 2023 while pacing UF with 6.3 yards per carry. He also added four catches for 18 yards.

• Webb is one of seven FBS sophomore running backs to post over 6.2 YPC on at least 25 carries last season.

• Webb ran four times for 70 yards (17.5 YPC) in Week 6. He scored his first TD vs. McNeese in Week 2 on a career-high
71 yards and became the first Gators true freshman running back to score since Trevor Etienne vs. UK in 2022.

• True freshman RBs Baugh (No. 342 recruit per On3) and KD Daniels (No. 168 recruit per On3), along with Coaho-
ma CC transfer RB Ja’Kobi Jackson, figure to slot in on the depth chart behind Webb.

• Jackson started nine games at CCC in 2022, leading the team in rushing yards (661), TDs (7) and YPG (73.4)

 

- SLAUGHTER HIGHLIGHTS O-LINE PLAY -​

• OL Fletcher Westphal made his collegiate debut while OL Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson and OL Devon Manuel
made UF debuts in Week 1 vs. Miami.

• Florida has allowed 59 sacks in 26 games under HC Billy Napier, which ranks 10th in the SEC.

• As a member of the Preseason Rimington Trophy Watch List, C Jake Slaughter returns after rating as the No.
9 center in the FBS last season (out of 295) with a 77.8 grade, per PFF. He played a grand total of 622 snaps.

• Slaughter ranks 47th out of 247 centers through Week 1 with a 68.7 grade in 2024, highlighted by an 84.0
pass blocking grade. He did did not allow a single QB hit or hurry in Week 1.

• Slaughter allowed two sacks in the 2023 season opener at Utah, but has not allowed a single sack since then.
He allowed just two QB hits all year long, both of which came in the final two weeks of the year.

• Across the last four seasons (2021-24), Florida’s 73 sacks allowed is the 39th-fewest in the FBS and fourth-
least in the SEC. During that span, the Gators have out-sacked opponents by a plus-nine margin (82-73)

 

- OFFENSIVE GRAB BAG -​

• Over the last five seasons (2020-24), Florida ranks 13th in the P5 and sixth in the SEC with 447.3 YPG.

• Since 2018, UF ranks ninth in the P5 in passing efficiency (151.9) and 15th in TD-INT ratio (2.87).

• The Gators have totaled 500-plus yards in five of the last 23 games and in 17 of their last 50 contests.

• In Week 12, the Gators eclipsed 400 yards for the 12th time since the start of 2022 (fifth of 2023). Florida has
amassed 400-plus total yards 29 times in its last 48 games including 42 of the last 67 contests.

• With 261 yards at Missouri, UF rushed for 200 yards 17 times since 2021 including 11 occasions in the Napier era.

• Florida has scored 40 points eight times in 39 games from 2021-24 including four times in the Napier era.

• Florida has scored 30 points 19 times in 39 games from 2021-24 including 13 times in the Napier era

 

- FIRSTS FOR THE FLORIDA D -​

• To start the 2024 season, seven players made their first starts for the Gators with five making their first
collegiate starts in DB Sharif Denson, ILB Grayson Howard, DB Ja’Keem Jackson, EDGE Kamran James and
EDGE T.J. Searcy.

• Howard led the team in tackles with six total (three solo), including a solo stop on 3rd down at Florida’s
five-yard line to hold Miami to a field goal.

• Howard earned a PFF grade of 80.5 in Week 1, the highest among Gators defenders.

• K. James finished with a career-high four tackles (three solo) and recorded his first-career quarterback
hurry that led to LB Shemar James’ first-career interception in the first quarter.

• Transfers DL Joey Slackman and DB Asa Turner were the other two starters for UF alongside Howard for a
grand total of three transfers in the starting lineup.

• Turner is one of 10 current FBS players to earn a start in six-consecutive seasons.

• Additionally, the defensive side featured seven new faces highlighted by four true freshmen (ILB Aaron
Chiles, DL LJ McCray, ILB Myles Graham and DL Michai Boireau) and three transfers (DB Trikweze Bridges,
DB DJ Douglas and EDGE George Gumbs Jr.).

• Both Boireau and Chiles logged their first-career tackles and ended with three total each.

• McCray also collected his first collegiate tackle.

 

- NEW GATORS HIGHLIGHTED 2023 DEFENSE -
​

• It was a group of true freshmen that earned multiple postseason honors after their first collegiate season.

• Four Gators highlighted by three defenders in S Jordan Castell, EDGE Kelby Collins, EDGE T.J. Searcy and
WR Eugene Wilson III were named to the SEC All-Freshman Team selected by the conference coaches.

• The Gators had the most players on the postseason freshman conference team.

• HC Billy Napier has totaled six SEC All-Freshman honors with four on defense (LB Shemar James in 2022).

• It marked the first time since 2012 that four Gators freshmen have been named to the Freshman All-SEC team.

• Castell was the third Florida selection by CFN to receive All-American honors and is the sixth in the last two
seasons. He also earned recognition as an ESPN Freshman All-American.

• The Athletic tabbed Collins a Second Team Freshman All-American.

• Collins played in all 12 games and secured 23 tackles, 1.5 sacks, four QBHs, one PBU and one forced fumble.

• Collins was the fourth-highest-graded UF DL in pass rush (62.4) and third-highest in run defense (70.7) per PFF.

 

- CASTELL IMPRESSIVE FROM DAY ONE
​

• UF true freshman S Jordan Castell began his legacy among Gator Nation in his first season.

• Playing in all 12 games, he started the last 11 contests of the campaign. In his first start vs. McNeese in
Week 2, he tallied three tackles and played the most snaps among defensive players (27).

• The first-year player finished as the team-leader in tackles with 60 total; 30 assisted and 30 solo.

• He also added 1.5 tackles-for-loss (-11 yards), three pass breakups and one interception.

• Castell’s season performance in tackles ranked tied for 35th in the SEC and fourth among true freshmen,
trailing Alabama’s Caleb Downs (99), South Carolina’s Jalon Kilgore (76) and Texas A&M’s Taurean York (66).

• He collected a trio of postseason honors in being named Freshman All-SEC, ESPN All-America and CFN
Freshman All-America Honorable Mention.

• Castell was also named to the FWWA (Football Writers Association of America) Midseason Freshman
All-America Watch List.

• The Orlando native played the most defensive snaps on the team with 660 and was one of two UF players
(Jason Marshall Jr. / 651) to play 600-plus snaps.

• There were only 51 total defensive plays that Castell did not play.

• He accumulated a total of 751 snaps played in 2023 (51 on special teams), marking the only defensive
player to play in 700-plus snaps.

• According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Castell finished with a 75.7 grade, ranking fifth among FBS true
freshman and second in the SEC behind Alabama’s Caleb Downs.

• His Week 3 performance in the 29-16 victory over No. 11 Tennessee earned him a pair of weekly honors in
SEC Freshman of the Week and Shaun Alexander National Freshman of the Week.
» He had his first of two double-digit tackle games with a team-high 10 tackles and one pass breakup.

• Against Arkansas, Castell recorded his first-career interception to end Arkansas’ last drive of the first
quarter and also finished with a career-high 11 tackles

• He was the first UF true freshman to register an interception since Marshall Jr. vs. Florida State in 2021.

 

- THE YOUTH MOVEMENT -​

• The 2023 Florida defense featured a majority of underclassmen (two seasons or fewer) making an impact.

• Then-freshman S Jordan Castell finished as the team-leader in tackles with 60 while LB Shemar James
ranked second with 55 and Bryce Thornton seventh with 34.

• James (5.5) ranked second in TFLs while true freshmen EGDE T.J. Searcy (3.5) and S Bryce Thornton (3.5) tied
for sixth. RS freshman DL Jamari Lyons (2.5) placed 10th.

• Searcy was UF’s best tackler with a 87.5 PFF grade, as he did not miss a tackle across 250 defensive snaps.

• Freshmen CB Ja’Keem Jackson and Castell were third on the team in pass breakups with three each.

• The duo of Castell (660 snaps) and James (395 snaps) ranked first and seventh in total defensive snaps.
• A combined 56 starts came from players in their second season or less with eight coming vs. Arkansas in
Week 10 and seven in the season finale vs. No. 5 Florida State.

• 24 starts were made by true freshmen on both offense and defense - Castell (11), Eugene Wilson III (7),
Thornton (4), OL Knijeah Harris (1) and LB Jaden Robinson (1).

• Castell started at safety in each of the last 11 games as fellow true freshman Thornton started alongside him
four times, signifying Florida’s first game starting two true freshmen at safety in the last 25 years (Week 6 vs.
Vandy). The duo started again vs. Arkansas along with first-year Robinson.

• The 15 combined starts by Castell and Thornton were the most in the FBS by true-freshman DBs.

• Florida’s true freshman DBs accounted for 1,759 total snaps - again the most in the FBS.

• Then-freshman CB Aaron Gates made his collegiate debut and made two crucial plays at South Carolina - a
tackle to stop a two-point conversion and an interception on the lateral on the last play of the game.

• The debut by Gates marked the 11th out of 12 Class of 2023 defensive players to play last season and the 17th
out of 21 total signees to appear in a game.

• Eight of the 12 played in all 12 games while the class totaled 1,969 defensive snaps.
» The eight players were: EDGE Kelby Collins, Castell, CB Sharif Denson, EDGE Kamran James, CB Dijon
Johnson, Robinson, Searcy and Thornton

 

- 2023 DEFENSIVE HIGH POINTS -​

• In Week 1 at No. 14 Utah, the Gators held the Utes to just 38 total yards in the second half - Florida’s lowest
total in a half since giving up just 18 vs. Vanderbilt on Nov. 9, 2019.

• In the Week 2 home opener vs. McNeese, UF held the Cowboys to 46 rushing yards - fewest since 44 vs. South
Carolina in 2022. Florida also held McNeese to 66 passing yards - fewest since Charleston Southern in 2018.

• In Week 2, UF had its best defensive performance (112 yards) in 86 games (Sept. 17, 2016 vs. North Texas - 53).

• Florida held No. 11 Tennessee to its fifth-fewest points (16) in the Josh Heupel era. The Gators also hold the
mark for third-fewest in the head coach’s tenure with 14 points allowed in 2021.

• Against Vanderbilt, the Gators held the Commodores to 64 total rushing yards. It marked the third time of
the 2023 campaign that Florida held an opponent to under 100 rushing yards and fifth of the Napier era.

• Florida limited FSU to 85 total yards including 13 rushing yards and 9:18 possession time in the first half. The
Florida defense did not allow a first down in the first quarter while surrendering just seven total yards.

• Florida has produced 202 sacks since 2018, which is tied for second in the SEC and 13th in the FBS

 

- SMACK & CRAWSHAW = GAMECHANGERS -​

• P Jeremy Crawshaw set the single-season program record with 48.9 yards per punt last season and was
named an AP All-SEC Second Team selection. He is the NCAA’s active leader in net punt average at 46.7.

• In five punts in the 2024 season opener, Crawshaw averaged 47.6 yards per punt with three inside the 20-yard
line, two of 50-plus yards and a long of 61 yards.

• The 46.7 yards per attempt moved Crawshaw to the all-time program leader in career average punting
yardage, passing Johnny Townsend (46.2) and Tommy Townsend (44.8).

• He has punted 136 times in his career for an average of 46.7 per attempt, 13 60-plus yards, 57 50-plus yards, 54
inside the 20-yard line and 49 for fair catches.

• Freshman RB Jadan Baugh highlighted his collegiate debut with a 35-yard kickoff return, which marked
Florida’s longest kickoff return since 2022.

• K Trey Smack took over place-kicking duties in Florida’s 29-16 win vs. No. 11 Tennessee in Week 3 of last
season and went on to be named a 2023 Lou Groza Award Semifinalist, making 17-of-21 FG attempts (81.0%)
highlighted by a pair of 54-yarders.

• Smack made all FG attempts vs. Charlotte [23, 23, 27, 36, 54] and drilled seven touchbacks on seven attempts.
He became the first Gator to make five field goals in a single game since Eddy Pineiro in 2017.

• He was also perfect in kickoffs for three-straight weeks with 13-consecutive touchbacks vs. Tennessee and
Charlotte, then again vs. No. 1 Georgia, going 4-for-4.

• Smack recorded 56 touchbacks in 70 attempts for an average of 63.4 yards and was a perfect 29-for-29 on XPs last year.

 

All game data and more here
UF NOTES WEEK 2 SAMFORD (PDF) - Florida Gators