Quarterback DJ Lagway was pulled at halftime in Saturday's loss at Kentucky. (Photo: Madilyn Gimme/UAA Communications)
Gators Notebook: Lagway Opens Ole Miss Week As QB1, More Tidbits
Monday, November 10, 2025 | Football, Scott Carter
Share:
By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Sophomore quarterback DJ Lagway, who started the season considered by many a potential Heisman Trophy candidate, finished Saturday's 38-7 loss at Kentucky on the bench.
Lagway, who threw three interceptions in the first half, was pulled by Gators interim head coach Billy Gonzales at halftime in favor of freshman backup Tramell Jones Jr. Gonzales addressed Florida's quarterback situation on Monday as the Gators (3-6, 2-4) prepare to face No. 6 Ole Miss (9-1, 5-1) on Saturday in Oxford, Miss., saying Lagway remained the first-team quarterback heading into Monday's practice.
"It was my decision to take him out of the game at that point,'' Gonzales said. "We were struggling. It's not all on him, and I told him that. As a coach, it's our responsibility if someone's struggling, help them out or take them out so they're not in that position to have to keep fighting through that."
Lagway was 11 of 19 for 83 yards, a touchdown and three interceptions in the first half, putting Florida in a 24-7 hole at halftime. After his third interception, a dejected Lagway walked to the sideline and took a seat on the bench.
Jones finished 9-for-17 for 60 yards in his first appearance since the season-opening victory over Long Island. The Gators did not score with Jones on the field. Lagway threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Jadan Baugh in the first quarter to put the Gators ahead, 7-3. It was all downhill from there for the Gators as Kentucky scored 21 points in the second quarter to take control.
Lagway's benching and season-long struggles – he has 11 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions -- raised questions about the plan at quarterback against Ole Miss.
"There's competition everywhere, and there should be competition," Gonzales said. "I say competition is great for everybody."
Baugh said the Gators continue to have confidence in Lagway as the young quarterback seeks to improve coming off an injury-plagued offseason.
"The situation happened for a reason," Baugh said. "Lag is a good player, obviously. We seen a lot of flashes from Lag. If you look back on the game, on the second or third drive, he made a pass to J. Michael [Sturdivant] and it was like, 'Oh my God, that's insane.' He's just gotta keep his head into it, honestly. It's been a rough season, and having to deal with a lot of things being a top quarterback, there's a lot of pressure. So, getting him to understand that we're still here, we're here fighting for him, so that's all it is."
WILSON OUT
Gonzales said junior receiver Eugene Wilson III is scheduled to have ankle surgery on Wednesday and will miss the rest of the season. Eugene Wilson III
Wilson was injured in the loss to Georgia and did not play on Saturday against the Wildcats. Wilson's sophomore season was cut short by a genetic hip condition that required surgery.
Gonzales said Wilson suffered a high-ankle sprain against the Bulldogs and is having a procedure called a "tightrope" surgery to repair the injury.
"Tough son of a gun," Gonzales said. "Came back in the second half and just battled. I've not seen a lot of people be able to do what he did, be able to come back and play in that second half with the injury that he had."
Wilson had his best game of the season against the Bulldogs, finishing with nine receptions for 121 yards. Wilson, who played at Gaither High in Tampa, had 61 catches for 538 yards and six touchdowns as a freshman. However, in the past two seasons, he has managed only 46 receptions, 505 yards and four touchdowns.
NO QUIT
The Gators' worst loss to Kentucky since Bear Bryant was UK's coach 75 years ago made the rounds on social media. So, there was a perception that the Gators quit playing hard.
Gonzales shot down those notions on Monday. He said he watched film of the game on Sunday and met with the coaching staff to gauge whether they saw any evidence regarding lack of effort.
"That was my main concern,'' Gonzales said. "As I got on the airplane, I watched both sides, offensively and defensively. And then I came back in when I got home in the morning, I came back in early, watched it again, offensively and defensively, to see if anybody was quitting and to see if anybody was loafing.
Florida Football | Jadan Baugh Media Availability | Ole MissFlorida Football | Jadan Baugh Media Availability | Ole Miss
Monday, November 10
Florida Football | Interim Head Coach Billy Gonzales Media Availability | Ole MissFlorida Football | Interim Head Coach Billy Gonzales Media Availability | Ole Miss
Monday, November 10
Florida Football | Devin Moore Media Availability | Ole MissFlorida Football | Devin Moore Media Availability | Ole Miss
Monday, November 10
Jadan Baugh Media Availability 11-10-25Jadan Baugh Media Availability 11-10-25
