JACKSONVILLE — Florida put a fight, held a fourth-quarter lead and had its chances until the final minutes. But the Gators could not get by No. 5 Georgia during a 24-20 loss Saturday at EverBank Stadium. The Bulldogs extended their winning streak in the series to five games, UF’s longest skid against Georgia since seven straight from 1978-83 amid the Herschel Walker Era.
Here are five things we learned:
Scared money is still scared money
Interim coach Billy Gonzales shifted responsibilities, trimmed the playbook and eliminated pre-snap motions to smooth out the clunky offensive operation of former coach Billy Napier.
Defensive-minded Georgia coach Kirby Smart noticed, as quarterback DJ Lagway and Gators (3-5, 2-3 SEC) nearly beat the Bulldogs (7-1, 5-1) for the first time since 2020.
“They simplified some things for the quarterback and tried to speed it up so he could go play and not have to shift motion,” Smart said. “He’s really talented, and he hit some shots on us.”
Yet, the Gators turned conservative at key moments in the red zone to cost themselves points, a continuing theme under Napier, who arrived from Louisiana with a reputation as a daring play caller who once claimed, “Scared money don’t make money.”
Florida interim head coach Billy Gonzales tweaked the Gators’ offense ahead of a 24-20 loss to No. 5 Georgia on Saturday. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Facing second-and-goal from the Bulldogs’ 6 during a 7-7 game, new play caller Ryan O’Hara — Napier’s longtime quarterback analyst — asked Lagway rush around the left end. But Georgia star linebacker CJ Allen easily chased down Florida’s quarterback after a 1-yard gain.
After a 1-yard rush up the middle by Lagway, UF settled for a 22-yard field goal by Trey Smack.
Florida later led 20-17 and faced third-and-2 at the Georgia 19 when O’Hara call a Lagway run around right end, where two Georgia defenders corralled him after a 1-yard gain and nearly forced a fumble. Following a lengthy review by officials, Florida ran tailback Jadan Baugh into the teeth of the defense for no gain with 7:54 to go.
Georgia answered with an 82-yard touchdown drive for the deciding points.
With nothing to lose and their rival on the ropes, the Gators chose an approach Napier pursued — ultimately to his peril.
Lagway flashed dual-threat ability
A holding call on left tackle Austin Barber negated a first-down reception by Baugh to the Georgia 44, but did not derail the Gators’ drive, as penalties had in the past. Instead, a careerlong 26-yard keeper by Lagway on the next play displayed a burst rarely seen from the 6-foot-3, 247-pound sophomore, kept alive a touchdown drive and tied the game at 17.
“Moved around a little bit better than I have in the past,” Lagway said. “Legs are starting to get back under me; starting to feel like myself again.”
A hamstring injury against Georgia in 2024 began a string of lower-body injuries for Lagway, including a strained calf before fall camp, as he lost confidence and a key element to his game.
Lagway finished 10 carries for 26 yards, but lost 13 on fumble he recovered and 3 yards on a rush around end. By providing a run threat, Lagway will give O’Hara options during the final four games.
“Any time you got a willing runner that opens up … and makes the defense defend you a little bit,” Gonzales said. “He’s big, strong and he’s plenty fast.”
Smack sets mark, continues to shine
Smack’s 54-yard field goal in the fourth quarter gave UF a 20-17 lead and broke the program record with nine 50-yard field goals, moving him out of tie for 2012 second-team All-America Caleb Sturgis.
Smack is now nine for 12 from 50 yards or more.
The Gators’ senior also added a 22-yarder for his 13th straight field goal and hit both extra-point attempt, making him a perfect 92 of 92 during his career.
“He’s a weapon,” Gonzales said. “Soon as you get over on the plus side (of the field), (special teams) coach Houston, he’s usually in my ear talking and letting us know where the kick line is. Any time you got a guy that can get points from distance, that gives us a security blanket.”
Florida interim head coach Billy Gonzales, left, encourages Florida defensive end Kamran James of Orlando during the Gators’ 24-20 loss to No. 5 Georgia on Saturday in Jacksonville. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Receiving corps suffers another loss
Starter Dallas Wilson left the game late in the first half and returned wearing a protective boot on his right foot. He missed four games and much of fall camp with a left foot injury.
The 6-foot-3, 216-pound true freshman burst onto the scene with three touchdowns in two games, including two during Florida’s 29-21 win Oct. 4 against Texas.
Out already to start Saturday were leading receiver Vernell Brown III and Aidan Mizell, the team’s fastest player.
Redshirt sophomore Tre Wilson picked up the slack with nine catches, including a 40-yard touchdown as he compiled 121 yards — more than he totaled all season before the game. But redshirt freshman TJ Abrams had a costly drop after he was forced into action.
Brown is expected to return soon, but Mizell has missed four games at various times while Dallas Wilson’s status is unclear.
On the wrong side in rivalry games
Saturday’s loss dropped Florida to 0-4 against Georgia since Napier arrived after the 2021 season. The Gators also are 1-3 against LSU, 1-2 against Florida State and 1-2 against Tennessee, with visits from the Seminoles (Nov. 29) and Vols (Nov. 22) to come.
Add an 0-2 record against Miami and UF is 3-13 against the school’s long list of rivals.
Florida’s next coach needs to flip the script.
Even Napier’s three fired predecessors fared far better. Dan Mullen’s teams were 10-6 in rivalry games, Jim McElwain was 5-7 and Will Muschamp 7-10.
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
