FINAL: Gators 31, Florida State 11 — UF Clinches Winning Season

FLORIDA 31, FLORIDA STATE 11

What Happened

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — DJ Lagway passed for two scores, Montrell Johnson Jr. ran for one, and Florida's defense recovered five Florida State fumbles on Saturday night to beat the Seminoles, 31-11, at Doak Campbell Stadium. Florida (7-5) clinched a winning season by beating FSU (2-10) for the first time since 2021, and sent the Seminoles to their first 10-loss season in 50 years.

The Gators put the game out of reach early in the fourth quarter when Johnson, the senior tailback who followed head coach Billy Napier from Louisiana to Florida, raced 65 yards for a touchdown and 24-3 lead. Johnson finished with 99 yards on 10 carries and eclipsed 3,000 career rushing yards.

Meanwhile, Lagway finished 14 of 22 for 133 yards, two TDs and one interception to become the first true freshman Gators quarterback to ever win in Tallahassee. Lagway threw a 4-yard TD pass to Marcus Burke in the second quarter to put the Gators up, 14-0. His final scoring pass was an 8-yard toss to Tony Livingston late in the fourth quarter.

The Gators struck first when edge rusher Jack Pyburn sacked FSU freshman quarterback Luke Kromenhoek, forcing a fumble that was recovered by teammate D'Antre Robinson at the Seminoles' 14. Running back Ja'Kobi Jackson took over from there, running for 13 yards to FSU's 1, and then strolling into the end zone for a 1-yard TD and 7-0 Florida lead with 2:28 left in the first quarter.

Pyburn's sack and Robinson's fumble recovery not only led to Florida's first score, it set the stage for what was about to happen over and over. Florida recovered five FSU fumbles and registered eight sacks on a night the Seminoles managed only 239 yards of total offense. Florida gained 368 yards and outscored FSU 14-0 in points off turnovers.

Florida's best offensive drive came in the second quarter when the Gators stretched their lead to 14-0 with 25 seconds left in the first half on Lagway's 4-yard pass to Burke. The Gators drove 80 yards on nine plays, consuming 2:31 off the clock. Lagway was 4-for-4 for 60 yards on the drive, including a pair of throws to receiver Chimere Dike that combined for 46 yards. 

FSU scored its first points on a 39-yard field goal by Ryan Fitzgerald to cap a nine-play, 42-yard drive on the Seminoles' first possession of the second half. The Seminoles' only other score came on a 2-yard run by Lawrance Toafili with less than four minutes remaining.

After Fitzgerald's field goal made it 14-3, Rocco Underwood recovered a muffed punt by Seminoles punt returner Lawayne McCoy at FSU's 12. Trey Smack added a 30-yard FG to put Florida up 17-3 with 6:27 remaining in the third quarter.

The Gators' lead was never seriously threatened in the second half as the defense put constant pressure on Kromenhoek, recording a season-high sack total. 

What it Means

Florida clinches a winning season for the first time in Napier's three seasons and snaps a streak of three consecutive losing seasons dating back to 2021. Meanwhile, the Gators snapped a two-game skid against FSU and won for the first time in Tallahassee since 2018. More than anything, the Gators held onto the momentum they gained from victories over LSU and Ole Miss at home.

In the Spotlight

In the first matchup between true freshman quarterbacks in the rivalry's history, Lagway outperformed Kromenhoek. Lagway wasn't as sharp as he has been, but he finished the regular season with a 5-1 record as Florida's starter. Meanwhile, Kromenhoek went 15 of 28 for 140 yards in his second career start.

Staggering Statistic

The Gators finished the regular season on the road, but they brought their pass rush with them. Florida, after totaling 10 sacks in the back-to-back wins over LSU and Ole Miss, sacked the Seminoles eight times on Saturday. For those counting at home, that is 18 sacks in the last three games. Florida totaled 20 sacks through its first nine games. You want more? The Gators accumulated 36 tackles-for-loss in the last three games.

Up Next

Could the Gators crack the AP Top 25 for the first time this season after a third consecutive victory? Meanwhile, the Gasparilla Bowl, Gator Bowl and Music City Bowl have been mentioned as postseason possibilities, but the bowl picture remains fluid in the first year of the 12-team College Football Playoff. The bowl schedule will be finalized by Sunday, Dec. 8.