Lagway injured, carted off the field

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Florida Gators football team arrived at EverBank Stadium with the daunting task of dethroning the No. 2 ranked Georgia Bulldogs. This task became significantly more demanding in the second quarter.

For Florida freshman quarterback DJ LagwaySaturday’s contest against Georgia was his third career start and arguably the most difficult matchup of his young career. His time in the rivalry game ended abruptly when he injured his left leg late in the first half.

UF coach Billy Napier said Lagway suffered a “serious hamstring injury” when he left the field on Saturday.


After two impressive drives early in the second quarter, Lagway and Florida’s offense strutted back onto the field with momentum, taking a 10-3 lead with five minutes left before halftime. Lagway gave the Gators the lead with a 43-yard touchdown pass Aidan Mizell Early in the second quarter.

After having success with this in the previous round, the Gators looked to use their option run game to run out the clock before halftime and potentially extend their lead.


As he lined up at the 25-yard line, Lagway ran left, lost his footing and ended up on the ground with only a minimal lead. He stayed there as a surprising hush fell over the Florida crowd. Moments later, Lagway was carted off the field and Florida’s hopeful start appeared less sustainable.


The 19-year-old quarterback took the field against Georgia in his second straight game as a starter, a position he was given after senior quarterback Graham Mertz tore his cruciate ligament on October 12th.


In his last appearance, Lagway only completed seven passes for 259 yards. This season he has totaled 1,120 yards for six touchdowns.


With Lagway behind center, Florida’s offense had taken a leap in downfield productivity. In the freshman’s two starts, the Gators completed 10 passes for 40 yards, an increase from just one in their other five contests.


The severity of Lagway’s injury following his departure is yet to be determined. Florida took a 13-6 halftime lead on a walk-on transfer Aidan Warner at quarterback.

Warner, who played at Winter Park High, transferred to UF from Yale after last season.