Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway and his team capped off a rollercoaster season with a resounding 33-8 win over Tulane in the Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl on Friday afternoon. The freshman quarterback overcame early struggles to deliver a strong performance, throwing for 305 yards and a touchdown while leading Florida to its fourth consecutive victory.
Trey Smack set a Gasparilla Bowl record with four field goals, and Florida’s defense dominated, holding Tulane to just 194 total yards. Walk-on running back Anthony Rubio, son of U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, added a memorable late touchdown, sealing the Gators’ eighth win of the season and their most lopsided bowl victory since 2018.
Lagway, who took over as the starting quarterback in October after Graham Mertz’s season-ending knee injury, continued to show glimpses of his immense potential. Despite a mistake-filled first half, which included two interceptions and a missed opportunity in the red zone, Lagway bounced back to finish 22-of-35 passing. His poise and big-play ability helped the Gators outgain Tulane 529 yards to 194.
“DJ is a special talent, and tonight was another step in his growth,” head coach Billy Napier said. “He’s the reason we’ve been able to turn this season around.”
One of the night’s most unexpected highlights came when Lagway fumbled a snap on a fourth-and-1 play, only to see running back KD Daniels scoop up the ball and dash 25 yards for a touchdown.
Rubio, a redshirt freshman who had yet to appear in a college game, entered in the fourth quarter and delivered an unforgettable debut. Running behind 449-pound defensive lineman Desmond Watson—who lined up in the backfield as a lead blocker—Rubio carried the ball three times, including a 9-yard touchdown run that extended Florida’s lead to 33-0. Watson also delighted the crowd with a 1-yard run for a first down on the only carry of his career.
“I’ve dreamed of moments like this my whole life,” Rubio said. “To get a chance to contribute and score in a bowl game—it’s surreal.”
Tulane (9-5), which entered the game reeling from back-to-back losses, played without starting quarterback Darian Mensah. The Green Wave’s offense sputtered under backup Ty Thompson, who completed just 11 of 29 passes for 125 yards and three interceptions.
Thompson, a transfer from Oregon, managed to avoid a shutout in the final minute with a 16-yard touchdown pass to Mario Williams. The loss marked Tulane’s third straight, capping a disappointing end to a season that began with championship aspirations.
Lagway’s performance, combined with Florida’s strong finish to the season, has Gators fans optimistic about 2025. While the freshman quarterback’s decision-making remains a work in progress, his raw talent and leadership have been key in Florida’s turnaround.
Thompson struggled in his first college start, raising questions about the Green Wave’s quarterback situation heading into 2025. With both Mensah and Thompson in the transfer portal, Tulane may need to rebuild its offense.
Florida (8-5) will open the 2025 season at home against Long Island University on Aug. 30, while Tulane (9-5) hosts Northwestern on the same date.
For the Gators, the Gasparilla Bowl was more than just a victory—it was a statement. After a tough start to the season, Florida closed the year on a high note, setting the stage for a promising future under Napier and Lagway.
