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2024 Florida Football Postgame Notes
Florida 45, Mississippi State 28
Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field – Starkville, Miss.
QB TANDEM’S RECORD DAY POWERS OFFENSIVE BREAKOUT IN STARKVILLE

• Florida’s two-QB tandem of Graham Mertz and DJ Lagway finished a combined 26-of-28 (92.8%, UF
single-game record) for 277 yards, connecting with 10-different receivers.
o Mertz (218.0) and Lagway (191.2) both posted a QB rating above 190.
o Mertz threw the only two incompletions (19-of-21, 201 yards, three TDs) to post the third-
highest completion percentage (90.5%) by a Gator ever while Lagway went a perfect 7-
for-7 for 76 yards.

• In his first SEC road game, Lagway led two scoring drives starting inside UF’s 10-yard line, becoming
the first freshman QB to lead a pair of 90-plus-yard drives in a road SEC tilt since Jalen Hurts.

• Florida’s 17-point win is tied for the team’s largest margin of victory on the road against a Power 5
opponent under HC Billy Napier (2022 at Texas A&M).
o The win is tied for the third-largest margin of victory by the Gators over a P5 opponent in
the Napier era.

• The Gators won their third-straight game in Starkville and improved to 15-5 in the last 20 meetings in
the series against MSU.

• Mertz reached 75 total touchdowns for his career, passing for three scores (62 career passing TDs)
while rushing for one (13 career rushing TDs).

• Florida’s six touchdowns came from six different Gators in TE Arlis Boardingham, WR Marcus Burke,
TE Hayden Hansen, RB Ja’Keem Jackson, Mertz and last but not least, OL Austin Barber.
o It marked the first touchdown of Barber’s collegiate career – in his 29th game.
OFFENSIVE NOTES

• QB Graham Mertz started for the second-straight week, handling each of the first two drives, as well
as UF’s fourth and fifth possessions of the first half.
o Mertz rushed for a career-high 24 yards on the first two drives alone.

• Mertz opened 15-of-16 (94.0%) for 147 yards while chucking three TD passes to three different
receivers on UF’s first five drives of the first half.
o He connected with nine different receivers (t-season high) for a QB rating of 232.8 in the
first half.

• QB DJ Lagway entered for one play on UF’s second drive and handled the Gators’ third and sixth
possessions of the first half.
o Lagway also shined in the first half, going 4-of-4 for 49 yards to make the two-QB tandem a
combined 19-of-20 (95.0%) for 196 yards in the first half.

• With the performance, Mertz recorded his fourth game as a Gator (eighth of career) with three
passing TDs and first since Nov. 4, 2023 vs. Arkansas.
o Mertz has thrown a touchdown in 28 of his last 32 starts including 13 of his 14 UF starts.
o Mertz’s first TD pass of the day marked the 60th of his collegiate career, making him the
10th active FBS player (sixth in P5) to eclipse that threshold.

• Mertz rushed for his first touchdown since Nov. 11, 2023 vs. LSU.

• TE Arlis Boardingham put Florida on the board with his first TD reception of the season (fifth of
career).

• WR Marcus Burke caught his first-career TD reception to put Florida ahead, 14-7, in the second
quarter.
o Burke also set a career high with four receptions for 45 yards (t-team high).

• TE Hayden Hansen hauled in his first TD catch of the season (third of career) to extend the UF lead
to 21-7.

• RB Ja’Kobi Jackson rushed for a TD for the second-straight week.

• With 90 total yards, RB Montrell Johnson Jr. surpassed 3,000 career all-purpose yards.

• WR Aidan Mizell had a career-high five catches for 36 yards.

• RB Jadan Baugh ripped off a career-long 32-yard rush in the fourth quarter and finished with a
career-high 53 yards rushing on four carries (13.3 YPC)

• TE Tony Livingston made his first-career start and set career highs with three catches and 18 yards

 

2024 Florida Football Postgame Notes
Florida 45, Mississippi State 28

​

Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field – Starkville, Miss.
QB TANDEM’S RECORD DAY POWERS OFFENSIVE BREAKOUT IN STARKVILLE

• Florida’s two-QB tandem of Graham Mertz and DJ Lagway finished a combined 26-of-28 (92.8%, UF
single-game record) for 277 yards, connecting with 10-different receivers.
o Mertz (218.0) and Lagway (191.2) both posted a QB rating above 190.
o Mertz threw the only two incompletions (19-of-21, 201 yards, three TDs) to post the third-
highest completion percentage (90.5%) by a Gator ever while Lagway went a perfect 7-
for-7 for 76 yards.

• In his first SEC road game, Lagway led two scoring drives starting inside UF’s 10-yard line, becoming
the first freshman QB to lead a pair of 90-plus-yard drives in a road SEC tilt since Jalen Hurts.

• Florida’s 17-point win is tied for the team’s largest margin of victory on the road against a Power 5
opponent under HC Billy Napier (2022 at Texas A&M).
o The win is tied for the third-largest margin of victory by the Gators over a P5 opponent in
the Napier era.

• The Gators won their third-straight game in Starkville and improved to 15-5 in the last 20 meetings in
the series against MSU.

• Mertz reached 75 total touchdowns for his career, passing for three scores (62 career passing TDs)
while rushing for one (13 career rushing TDs).

• Florida’s six touchdowns came from six different Gators in TE Arlis Boardingham, WR Marcus Burke,
TE Hayden Hansen, RB Ja’Keem Jackson, Mertz and last but not least, OL Austin Barber.
o It marked the first touchdown of Barber’s collegiate career – in his 29th game.
OFFENSIVE NOTES

• QB Graham Mertz started for the second-straight week, handling each of the first two drives, as well
as UF’s fourth and fifth possessions of the first half.
o Mertz rushed for a career-high 24 yards on the first two drives alone.

• Mertz opened 15-of-16 (94.0%) for 147 yards while chucking three TD passes to three different
receivers on UF’s first five drives of the first half.
o He connected with nine different receivers (t-season high) for a QB rating of 232.8 in the
first half.

• QB DJ Lagway entered for one play on UF’s second drive and handled the Gators’ third and sixth
possessions of the first half.
o Lagway also shined in the first half, going 4-of-4 for 49 yards to make the two-QB tandem a
combined 19-of-20 (95.0%) for 196 yards in the first half.

• With the performance, Mertz recorded his fourth game as a Gator (eighth of career) with three
passing TDs and first since Nov. 4, 2023 vs. Arkansas.
o Mertz has thrown a touchdown in 28 of his last 32 starts including 13 of his 14 UF starts.
o Mertz’s first TD pass of the day marked the 60th of his collegiate career, making him the
10th active FBS player (sixth in P5) to eclipse that threshold.

• Mertz rushed for his first touchdown since Nov. 11, 2023 vs. LSU.

• TE Arlis Boardingham put Florida on the board with his first TD reception of the season (fifth of
career).

• WR Marcus Burke caught his first-career TD reception to put Florida ahead, 14-7, in the second
quarter.
o Burke also set a career high with four receptions for 45 yards (t-team high).

• TE Hayden Hansen hauled in his first TD catch of the season (third of career) to extend the UF lead
to 21-7.

• RB Ja’Kobi Jackson rushed for a TD for the second-straight week.

• With 90 total yards, RB Montrell Johnson Jr. surpassed 3,000 career all-purpose yards.

• WR Aidan Mizell had a career-high five catches for 36 yards.

• RB Jadan Baugh ripped off a career-long 32-yard rush in the fourth quarter and finished with a
career-high 53 yards rushing on four carries (13.3 YPC)

• TE Tony Livingston made his first-career start and set career highs with three catches and 18 yards​

 

• WR Andy Jean made his season debut.

• The Gators rushed for a season-high 226 yards, eclipsing 200-plus yards for the first time this season
and 12th time in their last 29 games.

• The Gators have punched in a rushing touchdown in 11-consecutive games and in 24 of 29
contests since 2022.

• In 22 of 29 games in the Napier era, Florida has registered at least one passing touchdown.

• The Gators have rushed for 100-plus yards three of four games this season and in 23 of their last 29
contests since 2022.

• Florida scored 30 points for the 15th time since 2022.

• The Gators eclipsed 400 yards of offense for the second time this season and 14th time since the
start of 2022.

● The Gators eclipsed 500 yards for the seventh time in the Napier era.
o This is the 18th time in Florida’s last 52 games that the Gators have totaled 500-plus yards.

● By totaling 23 more yards than Mississippi State, the Gators have out-gained their opponents in 15
of their 29 games since 2022.

DEFENSIVE NOTES
● Florida forced a three-and-out on MSU’s opening drive, allowing zero total yards thanks to a
combined tackle-for-loss from LB Shemar James and DB Sharif Denson.

● Denson finished with a career-high 2.5 TFLs and seven tackles (five solo) highlighted by his first-
career sack and forced fumble.
o Denson and LB Grayson Howard logged their first-career pass breakups.

● Howard also posted his first-career fumble recovery on the first play of the fourth quarter.


● LB Jack Pyburn recorded his third-career TFL in addition to a career-high six tackles.

● DB Trikweze Bridges notched his third-career forced fumble and first as a Gator.
o Bridges led Florida with a career-high 10 tackles.

● DB Jason Marshall Jr. reached 26 career pass breakups with two breakups tonight.

● DT Caleb Banks had a six-yard TFL in the third quarter.

● With today’s fourth-quarter fumble recovery with MSU in the red zone, the Gators have produced
at least one turnover in 20 of 29 games in the Napier era.

● The Gators recorded three sacks in tonight’s game.
o Since the start of 2021, Florida has out-sacked its opponents by a plus-14 margin.
o Florida’s 209 sacks since 2018 season ranks third in the SEC and 13th nationally.
SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES

● P Jeremy Crawshaw punted two times for an average of 42.0 yards including a long of 43.

● LS Rocco Underwood recorded a tackle (fourth of career) on Florida’s first punt to hold K. Coleman
Jr. to a zero-yard return.

● WR Chimere Dike returned a punt for a career-long 35 yards in the first half.

● K Trey Smack drilled a 47-yarder to put the Gators ahead three scores with 2:34 remaining in the
fourth quarter.
o Smack improved to 3-for-3 on FG attempts this season.

EXPLOSIVE PLAYS (16)
● QB Graham Mertz: 16-yard rush, first quarter

● RB Montrell Johnson Jr.: 12-yard rush, first quarter (lost fumble)

● RB Ja’Kobi Jackson (from Mertz): 15-yard reception, second quarter (illegal block in back)

● WR Marcus Burke (from Mertz): 20-yard TD reception, second quarter


● TE Hayden Hansen (from Mertz): 35-yard TD reception, second quarter

● QB DJ Lagway: 13-yard rush, second quarter

● RB Montrell Johnson Jr.: 11-yard rush, second quarter

● RB Treyaun Webb: 11yard rush, second quarter

● WR Elijhah Badger (from Lagway): 27-yard reception, second quarter

● RB Ja’Kobi Jackson: 10-yard TD rush, second quarter

● RB Montrell Johnson Jr.: 10-yard rush, third quarter

● WR Aidan Mizell (from Mertz): 15-yard reception, third quarter

● WR Chimere Dike (from Mertz): 28-yard reception, third quarter

● WR Marcus Burke (from Lagway): 15-yard reception, fourth quarter

● RB Jadan Baugh: 32-yard rush, fourth quarter

● RB Jadan Baugh: 10-yard rush, fourth quarter

SERIES UPDATES
● Today’s game represented the 56th all-time meeting between Florida and Mississippi State and 13th
meeting in Starkville.

● With tonight’s victory, the Gators improve to 35-19-2 (.643) in the all-time series vs. Mississippi State
and 6-7 (.462) in Starkville.

● Florida has won 15 of the last 20 meetings since 1982 including three consecutive meetings in
Starkville.
• HC Billy Napier improves to 1-0 against Mississippi State HC Jeff Lebby.

THE STREAK
● Florida has scored in 452-consecutive games -- an NCAA record and 53 games longer than any
other college football team in history.
o The Gators broke Michigan’s record of 365 games (1984-2014) vs. LSU on Oct. 7, 2017.
o The last time Florida was shut out was on Oct. 29, 1988 vs. Auburn (L, 16-0).

GAME DETAILS
● Florida Game Captains: #1 DE Justus Boone, #17 WR Chimere Dike, #89 TE Hayden Hansen

● Coin Toss: Florida won the toss and deferred, Florida defended the north endzone.

● Attendance: 49,655

 

1st 03:39 UF - Boardingham,Arlis 3 yd pass from Mertz,Graham (Smack,Trey kick) 13 plays, 84 yards, TOP 06:17 7 0
1st 00:21 MSU - Booth,Davon 1 yd run (Ferrie,Kyle kick), 9 plays, 62 yards, TOP 03:09 7 7
2nd 10:56 UF - Burke,Marcus 20 yd pass from Mertz,Graham (Smack,Trey kick) 7 plays, 65 yards, TOP 02:46 14 7
2nd 09:02 UF - Hansen,Hayden 35 yd pass from Mertz,Graham (Smack,Trey kick) 2 plays, 44 yards, TOP 00:34 21 7
2nd 01:17 UF - Jackson,Ja'Kobi 10 yd run (Smack,Trey kick), 10 plays, 91 yards, TOP 02:59 28 7
2nd 00:23 MSU - Shapen,Blake 3 yd run (Ferrie,Kyle kick), 6 plays, 75 yards, TOP 00:54 28 14
3rd 06:38 MSU - Mosley,Jordan 13 yd pass from Shapen,Blake (Ferrie,Kyle kick) 13 plays, 76 yards, TOP 06:43 28 21
3rd 03:37 UF - Mertz,Graham 1 yd run (Smack,Trey kick), 8 plays, 75 yards, TOP 03:01 35 21
4th 08:24 UF - Barber,Austin 0 yd run (Smack,Trey kick), 10 plays, 93 yards, TOP 05:49 42 21
4th 04:26 MSU - Daniels,Johnnie 10 yd run (Ferrie,Kyle kick), 12 plays, 75 yards, TOP 03:58 42 28
4th 02:34 UF - Smack,Trey 47 yd field goal 6 plays, 21 yards, TOP 01:50 45 28

45 28

 

Saturday, September 21, 2024
FINAL: Florida 45, Mississippi State 28

Chris Harry / Senior Writer
A quick wrap of the Gators' victory over the Bulldogs in their SEC road opener Saturday.

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THE QUICK SLANT
FLORIDA 45, MISSISSIPPI STATE 28

WHAT HAPPENED: Florida quarterback Graham Mertz passed for three touchdowns, rushed for another and led the Gators to a 45-28 road victory and first Southeastern Conference win of the 2024 season. Mertz, the sixth-year veteran in his second UF season after transferring from Wisconsin, completed 19 of 21 passes (90.5 percent) for 201 yards, with all three of his TDs coming in the first half to set the tone for a team — as well as Coach Billy Napier — in desperate need of something positive following two lopsided home losses against both its high-major conference opponents earlier this month. UF finished with 503 yards of total offense (a balanced 226 rushing, 277 through the air), besting the host Bulldogs' 480 (to go with 31 first downs), with a whopping 240 coming on the ground. Mertz, who was 15-for-16 for 147 yards in the first half, fired touchdowns of three yards to tight end Arlis Boardingham, 20 to wide receiver Marcus Burke and 35 to tight end Hayden Hansen to stake the Gators to a 21-7 lead early in the second quarter. He shared quarterback duties with true freshman DJ Lagway, who completed all seven of his passes for 76 yards and ran for a score, his fumble into the end zone recovered by offensive lineman Austin Barber. Lagway's second series was a 10-play, 91-yard drive that ended with a 10-yard touchdown run by Ja'Kobi Jackson and pushed the visitors in front 28-7 late in the first half. The Bulldogs cut the margin to 14 when quarterback Blake Shapen (13 of 21 for 140 yards, 1 TD) finished off a quick six-play, 75-yard, 54-second drive with a 3-yard run with 23 seconds to play in the period to make it 28-14 at the half. The game got even closer after Shapen engineered another long scoring drive, capped by a 13-yard pass to Jordan Mosley on MSU's first possession of the second half. Mertz countered with an 8-play, 75-yard drive (aided by a couple defensive penalties) and finished the march with a 1-yard sneak for a 35-21 lead with just under four minutes remaining in the third quarter. A goal-line stand by the Florida defense turned the ball back to the Gators less than a minute into the fourth period. Lagway then led his second drive of more than 90 yards (this one 10 plays, 93 yards) and finished it himself with a 6-yard scoring run for the first rushing TD of his career and a 42-21 lead. The Bulldogs got a 10-yard scoring run from Johnnie Daniels with 4:26 to go, while the Gators added a 47-yard Trey Smack field goal with 2:34 remaining. UF got a game-high 68 yards rushing from senior tailback Montrell Johnson Jr. and had 10 different receivers haul in passes, led by Aidan Mizell's five for 36 yards. The win was just the third for Florida in its last 15 road games.

Redshirt sophomore tight end Hayden Hansen gets a celebratory lift after scoring his first touchdown of the season, a 35-yard strike from Graham Mertz, during the first half Saturday.
WHAT IT MEANS: The Gators, with everything going on, badly needed a victory to stop the bleeding. Mississippi State, obviously, is not a good team, but UF went on the road and amid all the adversity and distractions put one in the SEC win column.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: While Lagway may be the favored Florida quarterback (and the Gators' future at the position), Mertz is the better one right now and gives them the best chance to win.

STAGGERING STATISTIC: Mertz and Lagway combined to go 26-for-28. That's 92.9 percent, which is believed to be a single-game team record.

UP NEXT: Florida (2-2, 1-1) has the first of two open dates next weekend. The Gators will return to action Oct. 5 at home against cross-state foe UCF (3-0, 1-0), which was idle Saturday. While the Gators will be sitting out the week, the Knights will play host to Deion Sanders and Colorado in a Big 12 Conference game. Mississippi State (1-3, 0-1) plays at No. 1 Texas next week.


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