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DJ Laway and Jadan Baugh lead the Florida football attack in the SEC win against Kentucky

VaselineOctober 21, 2024

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DJ Laway and Jadan Baugh lead the Florida football attack in the SEC win against Kentucky

Homecoming is usually a time for the Gators to honor teams of past glories. On Saturday evening it was two 19-year-olds who took the Swamp into the past.

On college campuses, Homecoming is a way to honor and reopen doors for alumni.

Florida Football fulfilled that mission by commemorating the 1984 SEC Championship team.

Once this version of the Gators got going to close out homecoming week, it was all about the rookies.

Freshman quarterback DJ Lagway threw for 259 yards, and freshman running back Jadan Baugh ran for more than 100 yards and five touchdowns in the 48-20 victory.

It was the first time in program history that UF started a true freshman behind center and in the backfield. Not only that, but both Lagway and Baugh were backups this time last week.

They certainly didn’t look like the typical injury fill-ins.

Baugh tied a school record with his five scores, and Lagway averaged an astounding 34.9 points per game with a passer rating of 191.1.

Florida head coach Billy Napier called the assessment “winning football.”

Overall, Florida’s offense, led by the two 19-year-olds, was more efficient than ever in the Napier era.

UF’s 48 points were the most in an SEC game in Napier’s two and a half years. It converted on all seven red zone trips, including five touchdowns.

DJ Laway’s great playing skills

Baugh certainly deserves credit for completing those trips, and he had some big runs to set up the scores.

But a lot of the ‘setting up’ came from Lagoway.

His first pass was a 40-yarder to Trey Wilson to put UF in the red zone.

When Florida regained the lead for good, it came thanks to Lagway’s 50-yarder from Elijah Badger.

One-on-one matchups awaited Badger. He knows he can take advantage of that as a big play receiver. He just hoped Laway would do the same. He did that, especially in the mail.

“The post was crazy. He immediately put it in the bread basket,” Badger said. “My ankles hurt. When you looked at one of the posts, I burned my ankle.”

Lagway’s deep ball skills also helped keep UF’s offense aggressive in the second half — a problem two weeks ago against UCF.

“We said we had 30 minutes to go,” Badger said. ‘Attack, defense, let’s get out of here. That’s how we got out.”

The QB also ran for 46 yards. Napier believes Laway’s mobility and walking ability are being overlooked.

“The read element in the run game, and there are a few where they went over and he scrambled and was able to make a few plays,” Napier said. “He’s only going to get better.”

Jaden Baugh’s growing self-confidence

As for Baugh, he introduced himself to Gator nation during the Orange-Blue game when he rushed for 77 yards on 12 carries.

What you need to know about Jadan Baugh: Who is Jadan Baugh? What you need to know about Florida Football’s RB with 5 TDs vs. Kentucky

QB Aidan Warner believes that moment set the right pace for the freshman.

“Going from high school to college is a huge difference,” Warner said. “The fact that that spring game will probably carry over into the summer. His confidence is through the roof right now.”

Florida’s quest to establish the run game has never ended this season, but Baugh finally helped it come to fruition on Saturday. However, Napier credits all position groups for that.

“Not just the offensive line. The tight ends, receivers, obviously the quarterback in the middle of it as well,” Napier said. If we want to be a contender, we have to be very good on both sides.”

Florida fans might clamor for Baugh to get the full-time honor over Montrell Johnson, but Baugh has nothing but respect for the veteran.

“Hats off to Montrell because he brought me in, put his arms around me and told me I’m a good player, but I have to keep working,” Baugh said.

While the Gators relied on Lagway’s deep ball, Baugh still showed he could add an explosive element. Like his 27-yard touchdown.

“I tried not to go down. It just gave me more confidence to do what I did today,” Baugh said. “It gave me more confidence in my O-line. They played great today. I have no words for it, but they played great.”

Sunny days ahead for Florida?

Baugh recalled the conversions he had with Napier over the combination of him and Lagway.

‘I knew that DJ was here. It gave me more confidence that I wanted to be here too,” Baugh said.

With the two “babies” running the show and playing like they did on Saturday night…

Florida football is like Allstate.

In good hands.

Noah Ram covers Gainesville high school sports and University of Florida athletics for The Gainesville Sun and the USA TODAY Network. Contact him via email at [email protected] and follow him @Noah_ram1 on X/Twitter.