When Lagway threw his third interception of the night, which was returned for a defensive touchdown, Florida fan’s hopes of an upset in Death Valley crumbled just over halfway through the third quarter. And although the Gators’ defense stood strong through four quarters, the team couldn’t overcome Lagway’s five interceptions.
“I played horrible football today,” Lagway said. “I’ve never had a performance like that in my life, so it’s kind of hard to process it, but at the end of the day, it’s all about how you bounce back.”
A major point of discussion prior to Florida’s highly-anticipated 2025 season was the health of sophomore quarterback DJ Lagway. Lagway missed most of the offseason due to three separate injuries, ramping up his participation just weeks before the season opener.
The sophomore quarterback crashed and burned early against Louisiana State (3-0, 1-0 SEC), leaving UF (1-2, 0-1 SEC) stumbling and its defense out on the field far too often.
The tale of Florida’s struggles thus far has been written by offensive miscues and undisciplined penalties. Although the Gators ended the first half with 188 yards of total offense, 22 more than LSU, Florida found itself trailing 13-10 as penalties and interceptions became common in key moments.
Just as UF knocked on the door of the redzone at LSU’s 43, an offensive holding call against junior tight end Hayden Hansen brought back a 7-yard Baugh run. This halted UF’s momentum and led to Lagway’s first interception three plays later.
The undisciplined penalties carried into Florida’s next drive as an offensive holding penalty on junior offensive lineman Knijeah Harris erased a 87-yard touchdown reception by sophomore running back Jadan Baugh.
“A lot of our holding penalties tonight and in the past have been when the pocket is clean early in the down, and then the quarterback extends or escapes,” Napier said. “Those are the tough ones on the OL.”
The Gators’ defense kept them in the game early. They allowed just 45 yards of total offense in the first quarter and forced three straight three-and-outs. Although LSU was forced to punt during three consecutive drives for the first time this season, the Tigers found a way to keep pace with Florida and came up with big defensive stops of their own in the first quarter.
Lagway’s second interception of the game came just before the end of the half and put the Tigers in excellent position to knock a 45-yard field goal through the uprights and take a 13-10 lead before the half.
However, Napier displayed unwavering confidence in Lagway and explained that bad days are a part of the game.
“DJ is our quarterback, he’s one of the best quarterbacks in the country,” he said.
UF’s only positive takeaway from the first half was a 10-yard touchdown pass from Lagway to redshirt sophomore receiver Aidan Mizell, and its offense remained stagnant in the second half. Lagway continued to miss open receivers and make questionable decisions, throwing three more interceptions.
“That’s my responsibility, being a leader on offense, helping him,” Napier said. “Any time your team makes mistakes, it’s a direct reflection of coaching and we need to do better in that regard.”
Florida’s defense continued to shine late in the game, as junior defensive back Dijon Johnson snagged his first career interception deep in UF territory, but the Gators’ offensive struggles didn’t wane.
“He’s had a very unique offseason.” Napier said. “We all understand the dynamic here, we know this was his fourth week of full practice… He’s not going to use that as a crutch. This is not a young man that’s looking for excuses.”
Although Florida’s defense shined in its 10-point loss, forcing seven punts and holding LSU to 50 yards less than UF on offense, Lagway’s struggles were evident.
Florida will look to turn around its poor start to the season against an undefeated Miami team in Coral Gables Saturday Sept. 20.
“I’ve seen how hard DJ has worked, first person in the facility last one to leave, so I still believe in him,” sophomore linebacker Myles Graham said following the game. “This is not going to phase us, man, we bounced back last year.”
Contact Curan Ahern at cahern@alligator.org. Follow him on X at @CuranAhern.
Curan is a third-year journalism-sports & media major who currently serves as the football beat reporter for The Alligator, now in his third semester with the paper. When not at his computer screen writing, Curan enjoys spending time outdoors, hanging with friends, family and pets, and watching the Patriots lose (no, he doesn't miss Brady).
