GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The steady drum beat that reverberated throughout Gator Nation all week finally reached its outro on Thursday night.
Gators coach Billy Napier delivered the final thump on his in-season radio show, confirming the return of quarterback DJ Lagway from a Grade 2 hamstring strain.
“It’s good to get some of these guys back,” Napier said. “There’s good energy in the building. I think the quarterback is the biggest piece of the puzzle.”
Lagway was injured in the second quarter against Georgia two weeks ago and missed last week’s 49-17 loss at Texas, replaced by walk-on redshirt freshman Aidan Warner. However, with No. 21 LSU (6-3, 3-2) set to visit Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Saturday afternoon, Florida (4-5, 2-4) will have the services of Lagway in its attempt to become bowl-eligible over the final three games of the regular season. The Gators host LSU and Ole Miss, then play at Florida State to close the season. They must win two of their final three to earn a bowl berth.
Lagway replaced injured starter Graham Mertz earlier this season and led the Gators to an impressive 28-point victory over Kentucky on Oct. 19. The Gators were leading then-No. 2 Georgia when Lagway dropped to the turf in Jacksonville and was carted off the field.
In his absence, the Gators struggled for yards with Warner (21 of 50, 228 yards, 0 TD, 3 INT) directing the offense.
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The sight of Lagway being carted off the field two weeks ago appeared to spell doom, but the 19-year-old freshman warmed up last week at Texas but did not play. He progressed throughout the week in practice and was removed from the team’s injury report on Thursday.
“It turned out to be a little less significant,” Napier said. “He has just gotten a little bit better each day. He’ll be a little bit different type of player.”
Lagway is completing 60.9% of his passes (56 of 92) for 1,071 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions. He has added 114 yards rushing as the type of dual-threat quarterback that has given LSU fits this season (see Marcel Reed, Jalen Milroe).
Milroe rushed for 185 yards and four touchdowns against LSU a week ago. It will be worth watching Lagway’s ability to run Saturday as he returns to the field from the…
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