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The Florida football team will get a closer look at its future at quarterback on Saturday when it hosts FCS opponent Samford at The Swamp.

Freshman DJ Lagway, a five-star recruit and 2023 Gatorade High School Player of the Year, made his first career start for the Florida Gators against the visiting Bulldogs.

Florida State University quarterback Graham Mertz remains in concussion protocol, although Florida coach Billy Napier said over the radio Thursday that the sixth-year veteran has made progress in lifting weights and throwing routes against the air.

The 6-foot-3, 230-pound Lagway has been practicing with the first offense all week. Mertz suffered a concussion in the third quarter of UF's 41-17 loss to Miami in the season opener. Before his injury, he had completed 11 of 20 passes for 91 yards and an interception. Lagway replaced him and completed 3 of 6 passes for 31 yards and 20 rushing yards, leading UF to its only sustained touchdown drive in the fourth quarter.

“I think he has good relationships with people his age and people older than him,” Napier said. “This guy has been through some struggles and I think this will serve him well.”

Florida (0-1) has lost six straight games since the 2023 season and is seeking its first win since a 41-39 victory over South Carolina on Oct. 14, 2023.

WATCH FLORIDA FOOTBALL VS SAMFORD ON HULU (FREE TRIAL)

Samford (0-1), an FCS school under 10-year coach Chris Hatcher, is coming off a 38-29 loss to West Georgia last week. The Bulldogs are led by dual-threat quarterback Quincy Critttendon, who threw for 307 yards and 2 TDs and ran for 90 yards and 2 TDs against West Georgia.

Under the terms of the contract, Samford will receive a starting fee of $525,000 for the game against the Gators.

Florida takes a 7-0 lead over Samford with a 1-yard touchdown run by Montrell Johnson Jr., his second touchdown run of the season. But the big hit came from freshman DJ Lagway, who completed a 77-yard pass to wide receiver Elijhah Badger to the Samford 3-yard line. Lagway completed 2 of 2 passes for 83 yards to start the game. Florida 7, Samford 0 with 2:53 left in the first quarter.

team 1 quarter 2nd quarter 3rd quarter 4th quarter Score
Florida 7 x x x 7
Samford 0 x x x 0

Florida ends the first quarter with the ball and a 7-0 lead over Samford. UF outscored Samford 119-72.

Florida's football team suffered an early turnover when cornerback Jason Marshall forced a fumble that was recovered by defensive back Aaron Gates at Samford's 43-yard line. But after driving 26 yards, Florida lost the ball at Samford's 17-yard line when running back Treyaun Webb was stopped on a 4th-and-1 run and failed to gain any ground. Florida 0, Samford 0 in the first quarter.

Updated injury report for the Florida football team.

Injury update for Florida Football: Nine players out for UF vs. Samford

  • Date: Saturday, September 7
  • Time: 7pm ET
  • Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Steve Spurrier-Florida Field (also known as The Swamp)
  • Series record: Florida leads 3-0
  • Last meeting: Florida defeats Samford 70-52 (November 13, 2021)

Florida has lost six straight since the end of the 2023 season under controversial third-year coach Billy Napier. The Gators are expected to hold their own against an FCS opponent.

Predicting the final result: Florida 41, Samford 7

There are no lines and odds as Florida faces an FCS opponent.

In addition to Mertz, Napier said safety Asa Turner and cornerback Devin Moore are out this week. Defensive back Sharif Denson and defensive lineman Joey Slackman did not practice the first three days of this week and are questionable.

Florida junior wide receiver Kahleil Jackson is out for the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ACL on Friday.

According to Weather.com, the forecast for the Florida-Samford game at kickoff in Gainesville is 26 degrees and a north-northeast wind at 5 mph. The chance of rain is 23%.

Tickets for the Florida football game are available through Ticketmaster or secondary markets such as StubHub, Vivid Seats and SeatGeek.

SEE FLORIDA FOOTBALL TICKETS FOR EVERY GAME THIS SEASON

  • August 31: Miami (N, 41-17)
  • September 7: Samford
  • September 14: Texas A&M
  • September 21: at Mississippi State
  • 28 September: Bye
  • October 5: UCF
  • October 12: in Tennessee
  • October 19: Kentucky
  • October 26: Bye
  • November 2: Georgia (Jacksonville)
  • November 9: in Texas
  • November 16: LSU
  • November 23: Ole Miss
  • November 30: at Florida State
  • Record: 0-1
  • August 31: in West Georgia (N, 38-29)
  • September 7: in Florida
  • September 14: Alabama State
  • 21 September: Bye
  • September 28: at Furman
  • October 5: VMI
  • October 12: at ETSU
  • October 19: Mercer
  • 26 Oct.: in the Citadel
  • November 2: Wofford
  • November 9: Tennessee Tech
  • November 16: In Chattanooga
  • November 23: Western Carolina
  • Record: 0-1

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