The Florida Gators (3-4, 2-1 SEC) took down the Mississippi State Bulldogs (4-3, 0-3 SEC) 23-21 Saturday night after an improbable final frame.
After totaling seven penalties — two of which were pass interference and came in the last nine minutes — and nearly giving the Bulldogs enough time to kick a game-winning field goal, the Gators eked by with a win after sophomore defensive lineman Michai Boireau made a game-saving interception with 21 seconds remaining and Mississippi State within field goal range.
Here are the top reasons why Florida won:
Ron Roberts’ final play call
On the final play of the game, Boireau, normally glued to the defensive line, dropped back in coverage and intercepted Mississippi State quarterback Blake Shapen. Gators defensive coordinator Ron Roberts drew up the play and elected to have the 349 pound lineman to drop back.
“Ron made a terrific call there,” head coach Billy Napier said. “Knowing the ball is coming out quick, they've been throwing inside, breaking routes … really good call in that situation.”
At the Florida 29-yard line, the Bulldogs were poised to kick a field goal, sending the team back to Mississippi with their first SEC win. However, the Gators took advantage of the questionable decision to throw the ball within field goal range when the Bulldogs only needed to drain the clock.
Boireau had one tackle heading into the game’s final drive but made the right play when his name was called.
“I knew when I dropped back and seen that ball come towards me, I knew what I had to do,” he said.
Alfonzo Allen Jr.’s standout performance
The Florida defensive back room was depleted heading into Saturday’s matchup but became even thinner quickly.
Sophomore cornerback Cormani McClain and junior safety Jordan Castell were ruled out prior to kickoff. Then, junior defensive back Sharif Denson and senior cornerback Devin Moore exited the contest after the pair sustained injuries.
Allen, who made his season debut Saturday, recorded 15 total tackles and helped lead the Gators’ secondary, which struggled against Mississippi State wide receivers Brenen Thompson and Anthony Evans III, who both logged over 100 yards.
“At the end of the day, we have to execute on the field,” Allen said. “That’s what we preach a lot. Execution, taking extra reps, making sure we go over it, watch over film. So we executed tonight and that’s the outcome we got.”
The lack of available depth in the secondary led to three freshmen having to step up. J’Vari Flowers, Ben Hanks III and Lagonza Hayward all saw action.
“We've been coaching them, we've been developing them so that they can be ready when they get this opportunity. So hats off to that crew for stepping up and making some plays,” Napier said postgame. “Hard work pays off.”
Jadan Baugh’s career-high night overcame penalty issues
Florida’s sophomore running back finished the contest with 150 rushing yards and a touchdown. Baugh’s previous career-high came earlier this season against Texas, when he posted 107 yards on the ground.
“I feel like when it comes to offense, we have to take our time, understand the plays, understand what's going on, get momentum,” Baugh said. “I feel like the defense stuck to it. They got the momentum. We just had to come around.”
The ball carrier’s performance helped overcome Florida’s issue with penalties, but even he was held back at one point by a holding call in the first half. With 7:24 remaining in the second quarter, Baugh scored a 60-yard touchdown run, but wide receiver Eugene Wilson committed a holding penalty.
“As I was growing up, my pops and my moms told me keeping your composure is everything. Dealing with something like that, getting a holding call,” Baugh said. “Keeping my composure and keeping the team's composure, keeping their heads together, pushing, pass it, finishing the right way.”
While the holding call was costly, Baugh managed to change the game in more ways than one. In addition to his efficiency in the run game, he added two receptions for 21 yards. Eight of his touches moved the chains, playing a large role in the Gators’ 25 first downs.
UF committed seven penalties for 60 yards, matching the Bulldogs’ total. Many were self-inflicted.
With 13:41 remaining in the fourth quarter, Florida was charged with an illegal substitution penalty after having 12 men in the huddle ahead of a two-point conversion. The attempt would have extended the lead to 14 points, but the team settled for an extra point due to being forced back five yards.
The following Gators’ drive ended in a Trey Smack 53-yard field goal, putting Florida ahead 23-14. Florida was forced to kick the deep attempt due to an offensive pass interference penalty called on freshman wide receiver Dallas Wilson just three plays prior.
Much to the Gator faithful’s dismay, Florida was charged with another pass interference call, this time on the defensive side. Junior linebacker Jaden Robinson was caught holding Bulldogs Ayden Williams in the back of the end zone. The penalty set up Mississippi State to score two plays later, cutting into Florida’s lead.
Contact Riley Orovitz at rorovitz@alligator.org. Follow her on X @rileyorovitz
Riley is a sophomore sports journalism student and is the swim & dive beat reporter for Fall 2025 in her first semester with The Alligator. In her free time, she may be watching past Miami Dolphins or Florida Panthers highlights or hanging out with her friends.
