GAINESVILLE, Fla. — With two defenders closing in and a strained left hamstring to protect, DJ Lagway’s only option was to step up and let it fly.
The Florida freshman quarterback’s 36-yard completion to Elijhah Badger was a thing of beauty and arguably the most important play in the team’s season. It set up Ja’Kobi Jackson’s 1-yard scoring run and put the Gators ahead for good in the fourth quarter of a 27-16 victory over suddenly reeling No. 21 LSU on Saturday night in the Swamp.
“Elite play,” Florida coach Billy Napier said. “God blessed that young man.”
Lagway returned after missing most of Florida’s past two games and delivered enough clutch plays for the Gators to earn their first victory over the Tigers since 2018.
Jadan Baugh’s 55-yard scoring scamper with 3:48 remaining essentially sealed it and put Florida (5-5, 3-4 Southeastern Conference) on the verge of becoming bowl eligible.