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GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 19: Elijhah Badger #6 of the Florida Gators catches a pass against DJ Waller Jr. #5 of the Kentucky Wildcats during the first half of a game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on October 19, 2024 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Flordia football defended its home field on homecoming last weekend, routing the visiting Kentucky Wildcats, 48-20, en route to the Gators’ fourth win in seven tries this season and second in four Southeastern Conference matchups.
Not only did the Orange and Blue tag a W in the win column, both the offense and defense looked solid on Saturday night. Freshman quarterback DJ Lagway, who made his first SEC start with Graham Mertz now out for the season, showcased his rocket-launcher arm; fellow freshman running back Jaden Baugh rushed for five touchdowns, tying the Florida single-game record held by Tim Tebow and Trey Burton.
The secondary also matched the team total for interceptions all last season in just one game, including a pick-six.
As a result of the Week 8 triumph, Florida saw its stock rise in many of the polls and rankings, including USA TODAY Sports writer Paul Myerberg’s re-rank of all 134 FBS schools.
Florida’s Week 8 re-rank position
Myerberg came away impressed with the win but still is a bit bearish on the Gators overall, lifting them 11 spots to No. 45 this week. That puts Florida between the No. 44 Tulane Green Wave and No. 46 Western Kentucky Colonels.
Billy Napier’s squad is ahead of four other SEC programs in the rankings, with the Arkansas Razorbacks (No. 53), Kentucky (No. 64), Auburn Tigers (No. 90) and Mississippi State Bulldogs (No. 107) lagging behind.
USA TODAY Sports Week 8 re-rank top 10
The Oregon Ducks claimed the top spot this week after the currently second-ranked Georgia Bulldogs dethroned the now-seventh-ranked…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/gators-jump-usa-today-sports-142743890.html
Author : Gators Wire
Publish date : 2024-10-21 14:27:43
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