DJ Lagway was injured Saturday against Georgia. (Photo: Lorenzo Vasquez/UAA Communications)
Lagway Injured, Carted Off Field
Saturday, November 2, 2024 | Football
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Gators football team arrived at EverBank Stadium with a daunting task of dethroning the No. 2-ranked Georgia Bulldogs. That task got significantly more challenging in the second quarter.
For Florida freshman quarterback DJ Lagway, the contest Saturday against Georgia marked his third career start and arguably the most difficult matchup in his young career. His time in the rivalry game came to an abrupt end with a left leg injury late in the first half.
UF coach Billy Napier said Lagway suffered a "significant" hamstring injury as he departed the field for halftime.
After an impressive pair of drives to begin the second quarter, Lagway and the Florida offense strutted back onto the field with momentum, holding a 10-3 lead with five minutes left until the half. Lagway put the Gators up with a 43-yard touchdown pass to Aidan Mizell early in the second quarter.
After experiencing success with it the previous drive, the Gators intended to lean on their option run-game to dwindle the clock before halftime and possibly add to their lead.
Lining up at the 25-yard line, Lagway ran to the left and lost his footing, landing on the ground after only a minimal gain. He remained there as a startling hush came over the Florida crowd. Moments later Lagway was carted off the field and Florida's hopeful start seemed less sustainable.
The 19-year-old quarterback took the field against Georgia in his second consecutive game as a starter, a position he received after senior quarterback Graham Mertz tore his ACL on Oct. 12 at Tennessee.
In his last showing, Lagway only completed seven passes, but for 259 yards. On the season, he has 1,120 total yards for six touchdowns.
With Lagway behind center, Florida's offense had taken a jump in down-field productivity. In the freshman's two starts, the Gators completed 10 40-plus yard passes, a jump from only one in their other five contests.
The severity of Lagway's injury has yet to be determined following his departure. Florida took a 13-6 lead into halftime with walk-on transfer Aidan Warner at quarterback.
Warner, who played at Winter Park High, transferred to UF from Yale after last season.
For Florida freshman quarterback DJ Lagway, the contest Saturday against Georgia marked his third career start and arguably the most difficult matchup in his young career. His time in the rivalry game came to an abrupt end with a left leg injury late in the first half.
UF coach Billy Napier said Lagway suffered a "significant" hamstring injury as he departed the field for halftime.
After an impressive pair of drives to begin the second quarter, Lagway and the Florida offense strutted back onto the field with momentum, holding a 10-3 lead with five minutes left until the half. Lagway put the Gators up with a 43-yard touchdown pass to Aidan Mizell early in the second quarter.
After experiencing success with it the previous drive, the Gators intended to lean on their option run-game to dwindle the clock before halftime and possibly add to their lead.
Lining up at the 25-yard line, Lagway ran to the left and lost his footing, landing on the ground after only a minimal gain. He remained there as a startling hush came over the Florida crowd. Moments later Lagway was carted off the field and Florida's hopeful start seemed less sustainable.
The 19-year-old quarterback took the field against Georgia in his second consecutive game as a starter, a position he received after senior quarterback Graham Mertz tore his ACL on Oct. 12 at Tennessee.
In his last showing, Lagway only completed seven passes, but for 259 yards. On the season, he has 1,120 total yards for six touchdowns.
With Lagway behind center, Florida's offense had taken a jump in down-field productivity. In the freshman's two starts, the Gators completed 10 40-plus yard passes, a jump from only one in their other five contests.
The severity of Lagway's injury has yet to be determined following his departure. Florida took a 13-6 lead into halftime with walk-on transfer Aidan Warner at quarterback.
Warner, who played at Winter Park High, transferred to UF from Yale after last season.
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