The Florida Gators delivered a statement victory in their heated rivalry game against Florida State, forcing five fumbles and riding an explosive ground attack to a 31-11 win on Saturday. Running back Montrell Johnson led the charge with 99 rushing yards, including a 65-yard touchdown, while freshman quarterback DJ Lagway tossed two touchdown passes to give head coach Billy Napier his first triumph over the Seminoles in three tries.
Florida’s defense turned in a performance for the ages, recording eight sacks and 14 tackles for loss. The Gators’ ferocious front not only disrupted Florida State’s rhythm but also capitalized on the Seminoles’ mistakes. Four fumbles were stripped by the defense, while a muffed punt added to the Seminoles’ woes. Florida capitalized on these turnovers, converting two of them into 10 points with short-field opportunities.
The Gators (7-5) racked up 235 rushing yards, with Johnson and freshman phenom Jadan Baugh leading the way. Baugh added 81 yards on the ground as Florida averaged 6.5 yards per carry in the first half, building a commanding lead early.
Lagway, continuing his impressive freshman campaign, completed 14 of 22 passes for 133 yards. He connected with Marcus Burke on a 4-yard touchdown and Tony Livingston on an 8-yard score. The Gators’ balanced attack kept the Seminoles’ defense on its heels throughout the game.
On the defensive side, Florida’s front seven suffocated the Seminoles, holding them to a mere 79 yards in the first half and 239 total yards. The Seminoles managed just 2.5 yards per play before halftime, and their lone touchdown came on a late 1-yard run by Lawrance Toafili in the fourth quarter.
The victory capped an impressive November for Florida, which also featured wins over ranked opponents LSU and Ole Miss. The Gators, who started the season 3-3, finished 7-5 and look poised to carry momentum into bowl season.
“This was a complete team effort,” Napier said postgame. “Our defense was relentless, our offense executed, and it’s a great feeling to finally get that win over Florida State.”
The postgame celebration reflected the significance of the victory. Players, coaches, and support staff were seen outside the locker room smoking victory cigars, savoring their first win over the Seminoles since 2019.
The Seminoles (2-10) endured a historically poor season, losing all three of their rivalry games — against Miami, Clemson, and Florida — by double digits. They failed to surpass 300 offensive yards in any of their 11 games against FBS opponents, marking their worst offensive season in decades.
“This is a tough pill to swallow,” said Florida State head coach Mike Norvell. “We have a lot of work to do in the offseason to get this program back to where it belongs.”
In addition to his game-breaking 65-yard touchdown, Montrell Johnson reached a career milestone, surpassing 3,000 rushing yards. He became just the sixth player in Florida history to achieve the feat, adding another highlight to a decorated collegiate career that began at Louisiana.
The Gators demonstrated their resilience and physicality, capping off a brutal schedule with three impressive wins. Their ability to dominate the trenches and force turnovers will be crucial heading into bowl season.
The Seminoles’ double-digit loss season was their first since 1974, a stark reminder of how far the program has fallen. Norvell faces a daunting task to rebuild and restore the storied program’s reputation.
As the Gators celebrated a hard-fought win, they also sent a message: Florida is once again a force to be reckoned with in college football’s most heated rivalries.
