WHAT HAPPENED: Quarterback of Florida Graham Mertz threw three touchdowns, ran for another and led the Gators to a 45-28 road victory and the first Southeastern Conference win of the 2024 season. Mertz, a sixth-grader in his second UF season after transferring from Wisconsin, completed 19 of 21 passes (90.5 percent) for 201 yards, with all three of his TDs coming in the first half to set the tone for a team – as well as coach Billy Napier — desperately needs something positive after two lopsided home losses to its two top-ranked conference opponents earlier this month. UF finished the game with 503 yards of offense (a balanced 226 in the running game, 277 through the air), topping the host Bulldogs’ 480 yards (on 31 first downs), with a whopping 240 yards on the ground. Mertz, who completed 15 of 16 passes for 147 yards in the first half, scored touchdowns from three yards to tight end Arlis Boardingham20 to wide receiver Marcus Burke and 35 to the tight end Hayden Hansen to give the Gators a 21-7 lead early in the second quarter. He shared quarterback duties with a true freshman DJ Lagwaywho completed all seven of his passes for 76 yards and scored a touchdown. Lagway’s second series was a 10-play, 91-yard run that ended with a 10-yard touchdown run by Ja’Kobi Jackson And gave the visitors a 28-7 lead towards the end of the first half. The Bulldogs reduced the gap to 14 when quarterback Ben Shaping (13 of 21 for 140 yards, 1 TD) finished a quick six-play, 75-yard, 54-second drive with a 3-yard run 23 seconds before the end of the period to make it 28-14 at halftime. The game became even closer after Shapen engineered another long scoring drive that ended with a 13-yard pass to Jordan Mosley on MSU’s first possession of the second half. Mertz countered with an eight-play, 75-yard run (aided by a couple of defensive penalties) and finished the march with a 1-yard run for a 35-21 lead with just under four minutes left in the third quarter. A goal-line stand by the Florida defense got the ball back to the Gators less than a minute into the fourth quarter. Lagway then led his second 90-plus yard run (that 10-play, 93 yards) and finished it himself with a 6-yard run for the first rushing TD of his career and a 42-21 lead. The Bulldogs scored on a 10-yard run by Johnny Daniels with 4:26 to play, while the Gators added a 47-yard Trey Smack Field goal with 2:34 remaining. UF got 68 yards rushing, the highest of the game, from senior tailback Montrell Johnson, Jr. and had 10 different receivers catching passes, led by Aidan Mizell five for 36 yards. The victory was only the third for Florida in the last 15 away games.

WHAT IT MEANS: With everything going on, the Gators desperately needed a win to stop the bleeding. Mississippi State is obviously not a good team, but UF went on the road and despite all the adversity and distractions, was able to post a win in the SEC column.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: While Lagway may be the Florida Gators’ favored quarterback (and the future at the position), Mertz is currently the better one and gives them the best chance of winning.

AMAZING STATISTICS: Together, Mertz and Lagway scored 26 of 28 goals. That’s 92.9 percent, which is probably a team record for a single game.

Next: Florida (2-2, 1-1) has the first of two off dates next weekend. The Gators will return to action on Oct. 5 at home against out-of-state opponent UCF (3-0, 1-0), which had a Saturday off. While the Gators sit out the week, the Knights will host Deion Sanders and Colorado in a Big 12 Conference game. Mississippi State (1-3, 0-1) plays at No. 1 Texas next week.