JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Florida Gators football team arrived at EverBank Stadium with the daunting task of dethroning the No. 2 ranked Georgia Bulldogs. That task became significantly more challenging in the second quarter.

For freshman quarterback from Florida DJ LawaySaturday’s game against Georgia marked his third career start and perhaps the toughest game of his young career. His time in the rivalry game came to an abrupt end late in the first half with a left leg injury.

UF coach Billy Napier said Lagway suffered a “significant hamstring injury” when he left the field on Saturday.


After an impressive pair of drives early in the second quarter, Lagway and the Florida offense stepped back onto the field with momentum, leading 10-3 with five minutes remaining until halftime. Lagway put the Gators ahead with a 43-yard touchdown pass Aidan Mizell early in the second quarter.

After experiencing success with it on the previous drive, the Gators planned to lean on their option run game to reduce the clock before halftime and potentially increase their lead.


Lagway lined up at the 25-yard line, ran to the left, lost his balance and landed on the ground after only a minimal gain. He remained there as a startling hush fell over the Florida crowd. Moments later, Lagway was carted off the field and Florida’s hopeful start seemed less sustainable.


The 19-year-old quarterback took the field against Georgia in his second straight game as a starter, a position he was given after senior quarterback Graham Mertz tore his ACL on October 12.


In his last outing, Lagway completed just seven passes, but for 259 yards. On the season, he has totaled 1,120 yards for six touchdowns.


With Lagway behind center, Florida’s offense had seen a leap in on-field productivity. In the freshmen’s two starts, the Gators completed 10 passes of more than 40 yards, a jump from just one in their other five games.


The severity of Lagway’s injury has yet to be determined after his departure. Florida took a 13–6 lead into halftime on a walk-on transfer Aidan Warner at quarterback.

Warner, who played at Winter Park High, transferred from Yale to UF after last season.