REPORT: Two truths and a lie for Florida Football after losing to Georgia

It is nearly impossible to give Florida Football a fair assessment following their game in Jacksonville on Saturday. Although DJ Lagway was injured, the Gators also have issues that we have often witnessed.

In light of that, the Gators have two facts and a myth before their game against Texas this week.

Truth: Florida Had A Real Chance To Win If DJ Lagway Stays Healthy

Yes, while Georgia also dealt with injuries, the impact of DJ Lagway’s absence was particularly significant, as no other player’s replacement had as steep a drop-off on Saturday.

In the four drives Lagway started and finished, the Gators managed to score 10 points, experiencing only one three-and-out. However, after Lagway’s injury, Florida struggled, going three-and-out on six of their next eight drives with Aidan Warner as quarterback.

Though there’s no certainty Florida would have won with Lagway, he could have helped sustain drives and kept the defense from tiring. If he maintained an average of 2.5 points per drive, it’s reasonable to believe Florida might have stayed competitive and potentially turned the game around.

Truth: There Is Always “Something” That Prevents Billy Napier From Winning

If moral victories were counted as real wins, Billy Napier’s record as Florida’s coach could be 22-11 instead of 15-18. However, for Napier, there always seems to be a critical mistake blocking the path to actual victories, which shouldn’t still be happening in his third year.

Against Tennessee, it was a mishandled field goal attempt at the end of the half that cost Florida an extra three points. Last season, there were several similar moments: the infamous “double number” penalty, a mismanaged field goal against Arkansas, a failed 4th and 17, and a botched double reverse flea flicker. Even in Napier’s first season, crucial errors like Anthony Richardson’s pick-six against Kentucky and Xzavier Henderson’s muffed punt in the end zone against Vanderbilt undermined potential wins.

 

 

This time, another unforced error prevented Florida from taking a second-half lead, as a field goal attempt veered wildly, traveling 30 yards backward and setting Georgia up for a go-ahead touchdown.

The issue lies in Napier’s emphasis on Florida being a process-driven program. But repeatedly, the team’s execution on the field doesn’t reflect mastery of the basics, forcing fans to hold their breath over plays that a well-coached JV team would routinely execute.

Lie: Aidan Warner Is The Best Option If Lagway Is Hurt

Many Gator fans were surprised when Aidan Warner was chosen as the third-string quarterback over Clay Millen, especially given their different backgrounds in the transfer portal. Millen, who started for Colorado State in 2022, posted stats comparable to Graham Mertz, while Warner hadn’t played a single snap at Yale.

It’s possible Warner genuinely earned the spot over Millen, which is why he got the first opportunity to challenge Georgia’s defense. However, at some point, a coach must assess what’s unfolding on the field and consider alternative options, as the situation can’t get much worse.

In the second half, five of Florida’s first six drives ended in three-and-outs. The one drive with some success was a ten-play series in which Warner managed just two completions for 13 yards.

If Millen was available and healthy, Napier had little reason not to give him a chance for a drive or two, as the results couldn’t have been any worse.