The Florida Gators deserve some respect for the season they have just ended.
DJ Lagway and the Florida team concluded the season with a commendable performance, showcasing resilience despite the challenges.
Lagway rebounded from a challenging first half, completing 305 yards and one touchdown in Florida’s decisive 33-8 win over Tulane in the Gasparilla Bowl.
“I was playing bad football, not taking care of the ball,” Lagway said. “Seeing plays I thought I could make, just forcing it. The second half, my guys rallied around me.”
Lagway demonstrated moments that suggest Florida has a positive outlook for its future with him leading the offense, though he also made some less favorable decisions with the ball.
Trey Smack set a Gasparilla Bowl record by successfully kicking four field goals for the Gators (8-5), who secured their fourth consecutive victory with a late touchdown run from walk-on running back Anthony Rubio, son of U.S. Senator Marco Rubio.
Tulane (9-5), competing without starting quarterback Darian Mensah, was outgained by a total of 529 yards to 194 and did not score until Ty Thompson connected on a touchdown pass in the final minute of the game.
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A true freshman who played a pivotal role in Florida’s recovery from a 3-3 season start, Lagway completed 22 of 35 passing attempts, although he was intercepted twice, contributing to the Gators leading 6-0 at halftime. In the latter part of the game, Lagway misplayed a snap on a fourth-and-one situation, but running back KD Daniels was able to recover the ball and advance it for a 25-yard touchdown.
Rubio, a 5-foot-9 redshirt freshman from Miami who had not yet participated in a college game, took the field in the fourth quarter. Positioned behind 449-pound defensive lineman Desmond Watson, he gained 8 yards on his initial carry and concluded a nine-play drive with a 9-yard run, extending Florida’s lead to 33-0.
Watson, a 6-foot-5 senior wearing jersey number 21, achieved a 1-yard gain for a first down on his only career carry.
“A lot of fun, he did a great job,” Gators head coach Billy Napier said. “The guys rallied around him, all of those were successful plays.”
Initially, he was designated primarily as a blocker or a decoy in the passing game. Watson was thrilled when a play was introduced that allowed him to have a chance to carry the ball.
“It feels great,” Watson said. “Since I entered college, every time I go on the Internet, someone says I should be in a package to get the ball, especially since I wear number 21, a running back number. I never looked into it, and I never went to coach Napier about it, but I feel like he saw it also. A great moment to finish my career as a Florida Gator like that.”
The Gators achieved five victories in seven games following a challenging start to the season, with a significant portion of their success occurring after Athletic Director Scott Stricklin assured that Coach Napier would remain with the team until 2025. Quarterback Lagway took on the starting role after Graham Mertz sustained a season-ending knee injury in October.
“I can do it all,” Watson added.
Tulane, having experienced a defeat in its last three games, competed without Mensah, who recently entered the transfer portal. He has chosen to further his career at Duke after contributing to the Green Wave’s appearance in the American Athletic Conference championship game, where they faced Army.
A defeat in the regular-season finale against Memphis resulted in Tulane’s exclusion from the Top 25 rankings.
Thompson, who joined Tulane from Oregon in 2024, had the opportunity to make his first college start, which may also mark his final appearance for the Green Wave. He has entered the transfer portal with the goal of finding a team that is interested in having him as a full-time starter; however, he has not entirely discounted the possibility of returning to Tulane.
In the game, Tulane managed to avoid a shutout when Thompson connected with Mario Williams on a 16-yard touchdown pass. The Green Wave quarterback completed 11 of 29 passes for a total of 125 yards, including three interceptions.
Florida will commence the upcoming season at home against LIU, while Tulane will host Northwestern. Both teams are scheduled to begin their games on August 30.
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