DJ Lagway lights up the Swamp with 456 yards passing and 3 TDs in 45-7 rout of Samford
Florida quarterback DJ Lagway (2) looks for room to run against Samford safety C.J. Douglas (29) and linebacker Gavin Morris, right, during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/John Raoux]
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Highly touted freshman DJ Lagway threw for 456 yards and three touchdowns in his first collegiate start, and Florida beat lower-division Samford 45-7 to give embattled coach Billy Napier a brief reprieve following a season-opening debacle. Lagway completed his first seven passes while filling in for Graham Mertz (concussion) and showed why he was the consensus No. 1 QB recruit in the country last year. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound Texan connected on six passes that gained at least 30 yards. The Gators accomplished that a mere 14 times last season. Lagway broke the school record for passing yards by a freshman. He topped Chris Leak’s mark of 268 set in 2003 against Kentucky.
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Florida running back Montrell Johnson Jr. (1) tires to get past Samford cornerback Xavier Lanier (4) on a run during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/John Raoux