Florida looks to close out regular season with a 3rd straight win and first vs FSU since ’21
Florida looks to close out regular season with a 3rd straight win and first vs FSU since ’21
Florida quarterback DJ Lagway (2) throws a pass against Mississippi during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Florida State defensive back Shyheim Brown (1) celebrates with fans after an NCAA college football game against Charleston Southern, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Colin Hackley)
Florida quarterback DJ Lagway (2) and teammates Trikweze Bridges (7), Aidan Mizell (11) and Jadan Baugh (13) celebrate their 24-17 win against Mississippi in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Florida State running back Kam Davis (3) carries the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Charleston Southern, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Colin Hackley)
Florida running back Montrell Johnson Jr. (1) rushes for a 9-yard touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Florida State quarterback Brock Glenn (11) runs against Charleston Southern during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Colin Hackley)
Florida quarterback DJ Lagway (2) throws a pass against Mississippi during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Florida quarterback DJ Lagway (2) throws a pass against Mississippi during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Florida State defensive back Shyheim Brown (1) celebrates with fans after an NCAA college football game against Charleston Southern, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Colin Hackley)
Florida State defensive back Shyheim Brown (1) celebrates with fans after an NCAA college football game against Charleston Southern, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Colin Hackley)
Florida quarterback DJ Lagway (2) and teammates Trikweze Bridges (7), Aidan Mizell (11) and Jadan Baugh (13) celebrate their 24-17 win against Mississippi in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Florida quarterback DJ Lagway (2) and teammates Trikweze Bridges (7), Aidan Mizell (11) and Jadan Baugh (13) celebrate their 24-17 win against Mississippi in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Florida State running back Kam Davis (3) carries the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Charleston Southern, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Colin Hackley)
Florida State running back Kam Davis (3) carries the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Charleston Southern, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Colin Hackley)
Florida running back Montrell Johnson Jr. (1) rushes for a 9-yard touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Florida running back Montrell Johnson Jr. (1) rushes for a 9-yard touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Florida State quarterback Brock Glenn (11) runs against Charleston Southern during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Colin Hackley)
Florida State quarterback Brock Glenn (11) runs against Charleston Southern during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Colin Hackley)
Florida (6-5) at Florida State (2-9), Saturday, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN2)
BetMGM College Football Odds: Florida by 14 1/2.
Series record: Florida leads 37-28-2.
What’s at stake?
Florida coach Billy Napier seeks his first win against Florida State. Napier is 2-10 against the Gators’ five rivals, including consecutive losses to the Seminoles. Florida, which is bowl eligible after back-to-back victories against ranked opponents (LSU and Ole Miss), can close the regular season on a three-game winning streak and gain more traction before national signing day. The Seminoles are trying to somewhat salvage their worst season since finishing 1-10 in 1974.
Key matchup
Florida RBs Montrell Johnson, Jaden Baugh and Ja’Kobi Jackson vs. FSU’s rushing defense, which ranks last in the Atlantic Coast Conference and 106th nationally. The Seminoles are giving up 180 yards a game on the ground. The Gators, meanwhile, have topped 200 yards just once this season.
Players to watch
Florida: DL Caleb Banks and Tyreak Sapp dominated the last two games, combining for 10 1/2 tackles for loss against the Tigers and the Rebels. Banks controlled the middle of the line and totaled 4 1/2 TFLs while Sapp applied constant pressure from the edge and notched six.
Florida State: Luke Kromenhoek is the Seminoles’ third true freshman to start at quarterback against Florida in the last 40 years. James Blackman is the most recent one, helping Florida State beat the Gators in 2017. Kromenhoek completed 13 of 20 passes for 209 yards and three touchdowns, while adding 31 rushing yards, in his first college start last week against Charleston Southern.
Facts & figures
Lawrance Toafili has 413 yards rushing this season and 1,852 for his career. The senior is 19th on Florida State’s all-time rushing list. … Seminoles PK Ryan Fitzgerald and P Alex Mastromanno are finalists for the Lou Groza and Ray Guy awards, respectively. Fitzgerald has made all 12 of his field-goal attempts, and Mastromanno leads the nation at 49.1 yards a punt. ... Florida is 4-1 with freshman DJ Lagway starting. Lagway will be Florida’s fifth true freshman QB to start against FSU. Lagway leads all FBC QBs with a 97.3 passer rating on throws traveling 20 or more yards. ... The Gators have scored in 459 consecutive games dating to 1988, an NCAA record.
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