GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The return of veteran quarterback Graham Mertz gave the Gators a proven leader and a player coming off the best season of his career.
Mertz's homecoming was short-lived in the Gators' 41-17 loss to Miami on Saturday.
Mertz went down with a concussion with 35 seconds left in the third quarter, putting his status for next week's home game against Samford in question. Two Hurricanes hit Mertz as he dropped back to pass on the Miami 24, resulting in an interception.
After the game, Florida head coach Billy Napier said that Mertz suffered a concussion and explained that "he'll be in protocol." Napier said there will be more information in the coming week.
"We'll give an update when we meet with [media] Monday and Wednesday," Napier said.
Before his injury, the sixth-year senior completed 11 of 20 passes for 91 yards, struggling to eclipse the 100-yard mark through three quarters. The Florida offense had been up-and-down, with Mertz failing to connect on multiple deep shots to receiver Elijhah Badger. Miami constantly put Mertz under duress throughout the first half, forcing him to make decisions on a quicker timetable than he likely envisioned. Mertz was sacked twice before his game-ending hit.
It marked the second consecutive game Mertz had to exit with an injury. Mertz was hurt in his last start at Missouri in November, suffering a season-ending broken collarbone.
Florida center Jake Slaughter spoke about the offensive line's perspective when its quarterback gets injured.
"It hurts the pride. That's something that you can control that we need to control better," Slaughter said, adding the Gators' offensive line needs to "execute" in future games.
Mertz entered this season with lofty expectations, coming off his first campaign with the Gators, in which he threw for 2,903 yards, 20 touchdowns and three interceptions. He led the Southeastern Conference in completion percentage (72.3).
Mertz decided to return for his sixth season of college football and fifth as a starter. He was named a captain of the Gators squad as they faced Miami in the season opener.
The timetable for Mertz's return remains uncertain, but fellow Gators captain Shemar James said after the game that he hopes Mertz is back soon.
"I'll be praying for him, hoping he will get back,'' James said.
In the wake of Mertz's departure, highly-touted recruit DJ Lagway saw the field for the first time in his young career. Lagway was the No. 3-rated recruit and No. 1 quarterback in the 2024 recruiting class, according to 247Sports.
The 2023 Gatorade National Player of the Year, Lagway threw for 173 yards and two scores in Florida's spring game. Lagway opened the season behind Mertz on the depth chart, but his opportunity came earlier than expected.
As he trotted onto the field for the beginning of a new drive, the disheartened Florida crowd responded with a wave of cheers. Lagway's first drive as a Gator didn't do anything to strengthen the crowd, with Florida going three-and-out.
His second drive was much better.
A native of Willis, Texas, Lagway captivated the draining crowd with his first drop-back of the drive, completing a pass down the middle to receiver Eugene Wilson III for 11 yards. He followed that up with another completion to Wilson for 16 yards and began to push the Gators down the field. Five plays later, facing a critical third-and-12 in the red zone, Lagway scrambled for 16 yards, showing flashes of his touted mobility. The Gators scored soon after that.
It wasn't all roses for Lagway, though. In his final moment on the field Saturday, Miami defender Simeon Barrow tipped his attempted pass up the sideline, resulting in an interception.
Napier praised Lagway's performance under the surprising circ*mstances.
"I think he did a lot of good things," Napier said, emphasizing his quality second drive late in the game. Napier listed some of Lagway's better qualities, praising his "movement passes" and the plays he made with his feet.
Slaughter said Lagway's performance was no surprise.
"He and I were on the same winter offseason conditioning team," Slaughter said. " From the start, he had the mentality that he's ready to come in and start."
Slaughter said all that Lagway has done is work to improve and be ready to contribute.
The resounding message from Lagway's teammates and coach was one of pride and confidence in the newcomer's first game.
"I'm super proud of him," Slaughter said.
Napier emphasized Lagway's youth but noted he believes Lagway has "got a bright future."
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