True freshman quarterback DJ Lagway was admittedly nervous running out of the tunnel for the first time as Florida’s starting quarterback on Saturday. The Gators rallied around Lagway all week, supporting the rookie as he prepared for his big moment vs Samford in week two.
“Before the game, I just let him know, ‘All the plays he made in high school, this offense revolves around you. You’re a leader, and go out there and do what you do, and we’re going to be there around you,” sophomore receiver Eugene Wilson said on his message to Lagway.
It didn’t take long for Lagway to settle into Florida’s offense. On just his second pass of the game, the 6’3, 239-pound quarterback connected with Elijhah Badger on a 77-yard bomb down Florida’s sideline, a pass that traveled over 50 yards in the air.
“It’s just easy. He’s a big dude, and he’s not just big, but he’s strong, too. So, you know, he just got the little flair,” Wilson said on why Lagway throws a good deep ball.
Lagway’s best pass of the night came late in the third quarter. With the pocket collapsing, Lagway was able to step up and rifle a 41-yard pass to Aidan Mizell, who recorded his first collegiate touchdown on the play.
“He was out there playing backyard ball,” Wilson said on Lagway. “That ball to Mizell, that jump was crazy because he, like, stepped up and, to be honest, I was wide-open on the play. He just scrambled up, flicked it up like he knew it was headed down there somewhere, and he just stood right there in the pocket. That play was unbelievable.”
Lagway continued racking up chunk plays to just about everyone but Wilson, who was without a catch in the entire first half. Florida made a conscious effort to get their star receiver the ball in the second half as he finished with six catches for 141 yards, highlighted by an 85-yard jet touch pass touchdown.
“I happened to see a little opening,” Wilson said on his touchdown catch. “Seen it out of the corner of my eye, I would be able to hit a little stick. With that distance between us two, I would be able to hit that second gear, and that’s what happened.”
Lagway finished with 456 passing yards, the single game passing record for a Gators freshman quarterback. His ability to accurately throw the deep ball and push the ball down the field could change Florida’s offense completely.
“It opens it up, threatening everybody deep. You want to lock everything up,” Wilson said.
With Lagway’s electrifying performance comes a QB controversy. Wilson made is very clear postgame; the Gators will support whoever is starting next week.
“At the end of the day, it’s whatever it takes to win,” Wilson said on where UF goes at QB. “Graham’s coming back, you know he’s going to put on, do what he do. If DJ, you know, stay on that front row, he’ll still do what he do. Either way, everybody’s going to support each other. We’re trying to win.”
Florida will take on Texas A&M inside the Swamp at 3:30 pm est on Saturday, September 14th.