Florida Gators

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The so-called "noise in the system," as Ron Zook used to call it, is what it is. And it's not going away anytime soon. 
 
In the interim, however, allow the Florida Gators (0-1) to take a break from the external buzz for a few hours Saturday night to immerse themselves in a different kind of distraction; an actual football game against FCS-classified Samford (0-1) at Spurrier/Florida Field, one they need both to win and to execute far better than what they put on tape last week in an ugly season-opening home loss against Miami.
 
Memo to UF fans: You're welcome to join this much-needed respite, if you wish.
 
[Read senior writer Scott Carter's comprehensive "Opening Kickoff" preview here]
 
It's not as if the easiest game on the nation's hardest schedule of the 2024 college football season is without intrigue. In the process of losing 41-17 last weekend, the Gators also lost sixth-year starting quarterback Graham Mertz to concussion protocol, meaning heralded true freshman DJ Lagway, the 2023 Gatorade National Player of the Year out of Willis, Texas, will be elevated to QB1. The 6-foot-3, 239-pound Lagway will become the first true freshman to start at quarterback at Florida since Treon Harris against East Carolina in the Birmingham Bowl that capped the 2014 season. 
 
Lagway relieved Mertz in the fourth quarter last week and went 3-for-6 for 31 yards and an interception, but also led a nine-play, 58-yard touchdown drive. 
 
And don't be surprised if redshirt junior Clay Millen, the transfer quarterback from Colorado State, gets a series or two, either.  While who's taking the snaps will be the chief story line, it's far from the only one. The Gators have a lot of things to fix after managing just 261 yards of total offense (71 of them on a second-quarter rushing touchdown by tailback Montrell Johnson Jr.) against the Hurricanes, going 1-for-9 on third down and reaching the red zone just once. 
 
The issues on the defensive side of the ball were multiple, as well. Miami cranked out 529 yards of total offense, including 385 through the air, scored on six of its first eight possessions (with drives of 84, 70, 58, 75, 75 and 86 yards) and led 38-10 midway through the third quarter. That was with three starters in the secondary – Sharif Denson, Asa Turner and Devin Moore – who aren't expected to be available Saturday. 
 
The charge for the Gators will be executing, making plays, experiencing some positive things on the field, and thus removing themselves further from the UM debacle. Only games can make that happen. 
 
It's worth noting, however, that the last time Samford, out of the Southern Conference, came to the "Swamp" it was anything but a feel-good affair. Oh, the Gators won and had a stat day, to be sure, with quarterback Emory Jones breaking Tim Tebow's single-game total-offense record by amassing 550 yards, including 464 and six touchdowns through the air. The team's 717 yards was the second-most in program history. 
 
Florida, though, had to come back from a 14-point first-half deficit after the Bulldogs cranked out 530 yards, including 416 passing, before leaving town with 70-52 loss, with 42 of those points coming in the first half – the most ever scored before intermission by a visitor in the 119 years of UF football. 
 
That Samford team finished 4-7.
 
This one lost its opener last weekend 38-29 at West Georgia, a program that was playing its first game after moving from Division II to FCS. The game was a virtual tie on the stat sheet, with the Bulldogs out-gaining the Wolves 465 to 456. Samford dual-threat junior quarterback Quincy Crittendon put up Cam Ward-like numbers in throwing for 307 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, while rushing for 90 yards and two scores. West Georgia, though, dinged Samford for 271 yards passing, 185 yards rushing and converted eight of 16 third downs. 
 
As starting debuts go, this one should be to Lagway's liking. He should have lots of chances to make plays.
 
But above all else, it's a chance for the Gators to go play and begin the process -- with next week's Southeastern Conference opener against Texas A&M on the horizon -- of redirecting the narrative of the 2024 season. 
 
Coverage starts at 7 p.m. on ESPN+ and SEC+, with the crew of Clay Matvick on play-by-play and former Gators assistant coach Steve Addazio providing analysis. The Gators Sports Network from Learfield broadcast will air with pregame coverage beginning at 4 p.m. and eventually give way to Sean Kelly, Shane Matthews and sideline reporter Tate Casey on the call. For stations, click here. 
 
The game will be re-aired Wednesday at noon on the SEC Network.
 
Finally, follow senior writer Scott Carter (@GatorsScott) for commentary and analysis throughout the game. FloridaGators.com will have complete post-game coverage from the game late Saturday night and follow-up content Sunday, also.