TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – He’ll hear a different chant tonight at Doak Campbell Stadium, with a much different tone than the “DJ lag-way, DJ lag way” anthems that rained down on him at The Swamp this season .

Not that Gators true freshman quarterback DJ Lagway will notice.

“To be honest, it’s such a team sport. I really don’t pay attention to that, man,” Lagway said. “It’s all about the Gators.” No player is bigger than the program, than the brand. That’s how I see it.”

Lagway leads Florida (6-5) against Florida State (2-9) for its first taste of the bitter Sunshine Showdown in the state on Saturday night. Florida is on a two-game winning streak and is bowl eligible. The Seminoles snapped a six-game losing streak a week ago and are trying to avoid their first season with just two wins or fewer in 51 years.

(Read our comprehensive “Opening Kickoff” preview here)

The two programs are going in opposite directions, but they have one thing in common: both have true freshmen at quarterback. While Lagway has recharged the Gators and FSU Luke Kromenhoek became the first Seminoles freshman to score three touchdowns in his first career start a week ago against Charleston Southern.

Saturday night’s match will mark the first time in the rivalry’s history that both teams will field a true freshman quarterback.

“I’m kind of over the DJ being a freshman,” Gators head coach said Billy Napier said this week.

 

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Lagway made his first career start in September, when Graham Mertz suffered a concussion in the season-opening loss to Miami. He responded by throwing for 456 yards in a 45-7 win over Samford. Mertz returned and started the next four games, but had to sit out the season due to a knee injury at Tennessee.

Lagway took over and led the Gators to a win over Kentucky before suffering a left hamstring strain in a loss to Georgia. He missed the 49-17 loss at Texas, but in the two games since, Lagway led the Gators to wins over No. 21 LSU and No. 9 Ole Miss to revive Florida’s season.

Lagway is expected to be the fifth quarterback in the last five meetings with Florida State to start for the Gators. Kyle Trask started in 2019, Emory Jones in 2021, Anthony Richardson in 2022 and Max Brown a season ago. The Gators have lost their last two games against the Seminoles and Lagway can give Napier its first win in the rivalry with a strong showing.

“He’s made progress all year,” FSU coach said Mike Norvell said. “He plays with more confidence. He has made great progress. In the end he plays his best ball of the year here.”

Lagway is 4-1 as Florida’s starter and has a chance to become the Gators’ first true freshman quarterback to ever win in Tallahassee. Treon Harris (2014) and Wayne Peace (1980) remained empty.

Kromenhoek is now a player the Gators know. Napier worked him out on campus and offered him a scholarship. However, the 6-foot-1, 200-pound freshman from Savannah, Georgia, ended up with the Seminoles. Kromenhoek moved up the rankings following an injury to the starter DJ Uiagalelei and backup Brock Glenn fought.

The Gators rank 67th nationally in passing offense (226.9 ypg), while FSU ranks 115th (184.0 ypg). Whichever team can run the ball more effectively will likely see better performance from their quarterback. The Gators rank 79th nationally in rushing (148.8 ypg), while FSU ranks 129th (89.1 ypg).

Florida’s resurgent defense was also crucial to the Gators’ turnaround. Florida has 20 tackles for loss and 10 sacks in the last two games, which could spell trouble for Kromenhoek.

Florida State has surrendered 41 sacks on the season and ranks 130th nationally. The Gators moved to 23rd nationally with 30 sacks after six sacks against LSU and four in the win over Ole Miss. Defensive player Tyreak Sapp has a team high six.

Florida-Florida State traditionally offers something unexpected, and Saturday night will likely offer the same. However, Lagway and Kromenhoek will undoubtedly play an important role.

Coverage begins at 7 p.m. on ESPN2 with the crew of Jay dude on play-by-play, Rocky Boiman Providing analytics and Ashley Stroehlein on the edge. The Gators Sports Network broadcast from Learfield will air with pregame coverage beginning at 4 p.m. and ending at 4:00 p.m Sean Kelley And Shane Matthews in the cabin, with Tate Casey Reporting from practice.

For GSN stations click here. The game will be rebroadcast Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. on the SEC Network.

Finally, follow FloridaGators.com senior writer Scott Carter (@GatorsScott) for commentary and analysis during the game. FloridaGators.com will provide full coverage of the game late Saturday night and follow-up content on Sunday.