It was a forgettable start to the 2024 season for the Florida Gators and former Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz.
The team fell 41-17 to No. 19 Miami, while the former Badger left the game late in the third quarter with a head injury. His afternoon ended with only 11 completions on 20 attempts for 91 yards and an interception.
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Florida head coach Billy Napier said postgame that Mertz was diagnosed with a concussion. The hit came as he was sandwiched between two Miami defenders after he had released a pass — a pass that went on to be intercepted.
The afternoon was a disastrous start to what lines up to be a rough season for the Gators. Napier has expressed confidence in the veteran quarterback throughout the offseason. That confidence may not matter with the team off to an 0-1 start with games still remaining against No. 20 Texas A&M, No. 15 Tennessee, No. 1 Georgia, No. 4 Texas, No. 13 LSU, No. 6 Ole Miss and No. 10 Florida State.
It’s hard to see any light at the end of the tunnel for the Gators in 2024.
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Five-star true freshman D.J. Lagway took over for Mertz after his injury and played the entire fourth quarter. Lagway’s college debut finished with 3/6 passing for 31 yards and one interception, plus 20 rushing yards on four carries.
Next up for Florida is a home game against Samford before the gauntlet schedule continues. It will be worth monitoring whether Mertz is cleared in time to play.
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