CBS Sports weighs in with takeaways from Orange and Blue game

Here’s what one member of the national sports media thought of Florida’s Orange and Blue game on Saturday.

Florida football wrapped up its spring schedule on Saturday afternoon with its annual Orange and Blue game, an intrasquad scrimmage designed to get the Gators a game-day-like experience while giving the fan base a little bit of the same.

This year’s event ended in a 19-17 victory for the Blue team on a last-second field goal. Overall, the program looked healthy during the scrimmage with plenty of good play from both the offense and defense.

CBS Sports’ Will Backus took a look at the many spring games played this weekend, including Florida, and offered his takeaways from the exhibitions.

“Make no mistake: Florida’s offense belongs to Graham Mertz. After a very solid 2023 season, the veteran quarterback looked right at home operating the Gators’ offense in the spring game. He finished with a solid statline, completing 15 of 27 passes for 243 yards and one touchdown,” Backus begins.

“Though he had an interception, Mertz was comfortable working every level of the field and his veteran presence should pay dividends for an offense that’s breaking in a lot of new players elsewhere.”

“Still, it’s really hard not to get excited about DJ Lagway. The No. 1 quarterback in the class of 2024 enrolled at Florida early and made his debut in front of fans Saturday, playing opposite Mertz on the Orange team. Standing at 6-foot-3 and 241 pounds, Lagway cut an impressive figure before he even threw a pass,” Backus continues.

“He got to flash enticing versatility on his very first drive, moving the ball through the air and with his legs before capping things off with a 22-yard dart to wide receiver Aidan Mizell for a touchdown. Lagway had another impressive touchdown throw later, and despite an interception of his own, flashed the tremendous potential that had recruiting analysts buzzing.

“There’s tons of hope for Florida’s offensive future so long as Lagway is in a Gators uniform.”

Florida kicks off its 2024 regular-season schedule on Aug. 31 against the Miami Hurricanes inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

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