In a game under the lights in the Swamp on Saturday night, Florida football hosted the Kentucky Wildcats for its 2024 homecoming game. It was a wild first half, with the Gators leading 27-13 after 30 minutes of play.
To get things started and get the crowd energized was Gators legend running back John L. Williams who served as the game’s honorary Mr. Two Bits. The 1984 SEC Championship team was also honored as well.
Florida received the ball first and as true freshman quarterback DJ Lagway trotted out onto the field, chants of, “DJ Lagway!”, echoed throughout Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
First half overview
The Gators moved down the field in a hurry and with ease on their opening possession. Lagway’s first pass completion was to receiver Eugene Wilson III for a gain of 40 yards and Florida made it into the red zone, but couldn’t punch the ball into the endzone.
Instead, they were forced to attempt a 29-yard field goal which was drilled by Trey Smack to give the Gators an early 3-0 lead.
The Florida defense started out strong and was all over the field as they forced Kentucky to punt on their first two possessions. But, it was the same story for the offense in terms of the struggles to get touchdowns in the red zone.
Florida was marching down the field on their third offensive drive of the half, but as soon as they reached the 20-yard line, the offense stalled. Smack managed to knock in the 33-yard field goal to give Florida a 6-0 lead at the beginning of the second quarter.
Kentucky finally got their offense going on their third drive as quarterback Brock Vandagriff connected with receiver Barion Brown for a 45-yard touchdown. However, the game stayed tied 6-6 after Kentucky’s kicker missed the extra point.
With just over eight minutes to go in the first half, Lagway completed a 50-yard throw down the middle of the field to Elijhah Badger to put the Gators on Kentucky’s 7-yard line. That set up a touchdown run by Jadan Baugh to give Florida their first touchdown of the night and a 13-6 lead.
The following drive for Kentucky ended with an interception by defensive back Trikweze Bridges to set the Gators up with possession at midfield. But it didn’t matter because Lagway threw an interception two plays later.
But remarkably, Florida’s defense held their ground as Kentucky was inching towards the goal line and forced a turnover-on-downs. Florida was able to score a touchdown on the ensuing drive thanks to a 10-yard rushing touchdown by Baugh.
But things continued to go Florida’s way as Devin Moore picked off Vandagriff to set the Gators up with Baugh’s third touchdown of the first half.
Kentucky returned the kickoff immediately after the Gators scored for a 99-yard touchdown.
Florida’s first-half stats
Looking at the first-half stats for the Gators, Lagway was 4-for-11 with 152 yards passing. Lagway also had 40 rushing yards on seven carries.
Baugh really played a perfect first half of football, rushing for 88 yards and three touchdowns on 14 carries.
The Gators’ defense forced two interceptions and allowed just 159 total yards in the first half.
Let’s see if Florida can keep it going in the second half.
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