Florida football earns its first winning season since 2020 with victory over FSU

TALLAHASSEE — One by one, Florida football players lit victory cigars following UF’s 31-11 victory over rival Florida State Saturday night at Doak Campbell Stadium.

Offensive linemen Austin Barber and Brendan Crenshaw-Dickson returned to the field after the game, blowing the fragrant smoke into the night sky. Both raised their fists toward the Florida Gators fans who remained in the stands on a cold night in late November.

Not only did UF end a two-game losing streak against the rival Seminoles, but the Gators (7-5) also earned their first winning season since 2020 and their first winning campaign in three seasons under the direction of the head coach Billy Napier.

It seemed unlikely when Florida started the season 1-2 after a 33-20 home loss to Texas A&M on September 14, when rumors swirled that Napier would not last the entire season as UF coach .

“It was halfway through the season that everything came together,” Napier said. “I think the players did a good job of putting their blinders on in the first month, and didn’t allow excuses, didn’t allow blame, you know, and just went back to work.”

Now, Florida finds itself in position to close out with a top-10 recruiting class on National Signing Day next week, with promising quarterback DJ Lagway improving to 5-1 in as a starter and had wins over rivals LSU and FSU as a starter. a true freshman.

“It means a lot for the future of this program,” said Florida senior running back Montrell Johnson Jr., who surpassed 3,000 career yards with a 65-yard TD run in the fourth quarter . Myself included, I’ve established the platform to champion the guys of the future to come out and make this program great again.

How Florida football can build on momentum from FSU’s victory

After National Signing Day begins, Florida will prepare for its first bowl trip since 2022 and have a busy offseason in the transfer portal. UF’s current three-game winning streak matches its longest under Napier, last achieved Sept. 9-23 last year against McNeese, Tennessee and Charlotte.

Beating FSU represents another step in UF’s attempt to revive a program that struggled in its first two seasons under Napier.

“It was like a relief for my back,” Florida defensive end Tyreak Sapp said. “Two years, losing to these guys. It was a great group of guys that they put together. They finally made the team. It’s always going to be a challenge. It’s a rivalry game. We don’t have them we don’t like, and they don’t like him. So, for two years, this has been weighing on us.”

Sapp did his part, recording two of UF’s eight sacks as the Gator defense held an opponent under 17 points for the third straight game.

Offensively, Lagway wasn’t asked to do much, but he did enough, completing 14 of 22 passes for 133 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Florida led just 7-0 until Lagway connected with wide receiver Marcus Burke, giving UF a 14-0 lead with 25 seconds left in the first half.

“We didn’t have our fastball on offense,” Napier said. “You know, I think it was obvious there. We missed opportunities.”

Lagway returned to Burke after a miscommunication with Burke and receiver Chimere Dike led to his only interception earlier in the second quarter.

“It was huge for me to come back to Burke because he felt like he let everyone down,” Lagway said. “It was a team effort. We all had to be on the same page. It’s so great to come back to him on that drive and get that touchdown.”

The 6-foot-3, 239-pound Lagway will be used as a recruiting tool for transfers as much as anyone, as he has shown both composure and big-play ability in leading the L’s offense. ‘UF through six starts and 12 games this season.

“I’m definitely going to be involved in the transfer portal and the recruiting class, but the most important thing is keeping the guys we have here,” Lagway said. “That’s the most important thing. Just making sure everyone is locked in and we can add and build on that momentum we have at the end of the season.

Kevin Brockway is the Gainesville Sun’s Florida beat writer. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow him on X @KevinBrockwayG1