TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Montrell Johnson ran for 99 yards, including a 65-yard touchdown, and Florida recovered five fumbles in a 31-11 win over Florida State on Saturday.
Jadan Baugh added 81 yards as Florida racked up 235 rushing yards, while DJ Lagway had two touchdown passes to give coach Billy Napier his first victory over the Seminoles in three tries.
Florida recorded eight sacks, 14 tackles for loss and grabbed four fumbles — a fifth came on a muffed Florida State punt — in a defensive effort that was among the team’s best this fall.
“Defensively we were really lights out,” Florida coach Billy Napier said. “We had a season high in TFLs and sacks. We created some takeaways and were able to take advantage of those.”
Florida benefitted from short field situations. The Gators scored a touchdown after recovering a fumble at the Florida State 14 and tacked on a field goal after recovering a fumble at the Seminoles’ 12.
Lagway completed 14 of 22 passes for 133 yards, including a 4-yard touchdown pass to Marcus Burke and an 8-yard pass to Tony Livingston.
The Gators (7-5) wrapped up an impressive stretch to finish November, knocking off ranked opponents in LSU and Ole Miss and picking up a victory over Florida State after starting the season 3-3.
Outside the Florida locker room, players, coaches and support staff were seen smoking victory cigars to cap a celebration three years in the making over their rivals. When asked if Napier enjoyed a cigar, he smiled and said, “Absolutely.”
Florida’s defense held Florida State to 79 first-half yards, in which the Seminoles were held to just 2.5 yards per play. The Seminoles (2-10) finished with 239 offensive yards, falling below the 300-yard mark in all 11 games against FBS defenses in 2024.
Lawrance Toafili had a 1-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter for Florida State.
The Seminoles dropped all three rivalry games (including Miami and Clemson) by double digits.
“Extremely disappointed in today,” Florida State coach Mike Norvell said. “Made too many mistakes throughout the course of the game. Turned the ball over five times. Too many negative plays. … It’s a disappointing ending to an awful season. That’s the best way I can put it.”
MONTRELL JOHNSON FOR 3,000
Johnson became the sixth Florida player to surpass 3,000 rushing yards on Saturday. He came into the game with 2,990 rushing yards in his career at Louisiana and Florida.
“It means a lot to me, but I just feel like going out the right way, that means more to me,” Johnson said.
TAKEAWAY
Florida: The Gators averaged 6.5 yards per carry in the first half and picked up a dominating, first rivalry win over Florida State to finish off an impressive last three weeks in what was arguably the nation’s toughest schedule.
Florida State: The Seminoles suffered their first season with double-digit losses since 1974, which is two years before Bobby Bowden arrived.
UP NEXT
Florida: Regular season ends, awaits bowl announcements on Dec. 8.
Florida State: Regular season ends.
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Florida State and Florida players scuffle at midfield after an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Colin Hackley)
Florida State and Florida players scuffle at midfield after an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Colin Hackley)
After a chaotic end to the regular season in college football, the matchups are set for championship week. Here’s a look at the showdowns coming up in the Power Four and Group of Five. All championship games are Dec. 7 except in the American Athletic, Conference USA and Mountain West, which will be played Dec. 6.
No. 9 SMU (11-1, 8-0 ACC, No. 9 CFP) vs. No. 12 Clemson (9-3, 7-1, No. 12 CFP) at Charlotte, North Carolina
What to know: The Mustangs completed a sweep of their first ACC schedule with a 38-6 win over California, making them the only team in their new league that didn’t lose a conference game; SMU has a 17-game conference winning streak dating to its days in the American Athletic. Clemson, which advanced to the title game after Miami lost at Syracuse, will be seeking its eighth ACC crown in the past 10 years.
No. 1 Oregon (12-0, 9-0 Big Ten, No. 1 CFP) vs. No. 4 Penn State (11-1, 8-1, No. 4 CFP) at Indianapolis
What to know: The Nittany Lions have been one of the quietest one-loss teams all season but get a chance for a big win and a higher CFP seed with a victory in this one. They will face the last unbeaten team in college football in the Ducks, who finished the regular season without loss for the first time since 2010.
No. 14 Arizona State (10-2, 7-2 Big 12, No. 16 CFP) vs. TBD at Arlington, Texas
What to know: The Sun Devils rode Cam Skattebo (177 yards and three touchdowns) in a big win over rival Arizona to land a title game berth after perhaps the wildest of all power conference races. Their opponent was not settled until late Saturday.
No. 3 Texas (11-1, 7-1 SEC, No. 3 CFP) vs. No. 6 Georgia (10-2, 6-2, No. 7 CFP) at Atlanta
What to know: The Longhorns have national title hopes but first get a chance to win a championship in their first year in the SEC. They will also get a chance to avenge their only loss of the season against the resilient and dangerous Bulldogs, who advanced after an epic overtime win against Georgia Tech.
No. 25 Army (10-1, 8-0 AAC) vs. No. 18 Tulane (9-3, 7-1, No. 17 CFP) at West Point, New York.
What to know: The Green Wave's loss to Memphis over the weekend likely cost the league any hope of a playoff bid but both teams are going to the postseason regardless. Army still has its annual showdown with Navy before a bowl game, too.
Jacksonville State (8-4, 7-1 CUSA) vs. Western Kentucky (8-4, 6-2) at Jacksonville, Florida
What to know: The C-USA title game pits two teams in a rematch six days after facing each other. WKU handed the Gamecocks their first league loss, 19-17 on Saturday night, and will have to beat them again for the title.
Ohio (9-3, 7-1 MAC) and Miami (Ohio) (8-4, 7-1) at Detroit
What to know: The two Ohio schools met earlier this season, with the RedHawks beating the visiting Bobcats 30-20. Ohio has won seven of its last eight.
No. 11 Boise State (11-1, 7-0 MWC, No. 11 CFP) vs. No. 21 UNLV (10-2, 6-1, No. 22 CFP) at Boise, Idaho
What to know: The Broncos bring a 10-game winning streak into the championship game, have won 11 straight at home and are on the verge of making the College Football Playoff behind Heisman Trophy candidate Ashton Jeanty. They have made the Mountain West title game three straight seasons. This one is a rematch of the title game a year ago won by Boise State and a regular-season matchup in October, a 29-24 Broncos win.
Louisiana-Lafayette (10-2, 7-1 Sun Belt) vs. Marshall (9-3, 7-1) at Troy, Alabama
What to know: The Ragin' Cajuns earned a spot in the championship for the fifth time in the seven-year history of the game. Marshall beat James Madison 35-33 in double overtime to clinch a spot for the first time in program history.
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Georgia running back Nate Frazier (3) celebrates his game-winning score against Georgia Tech in overtime in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Athens, Ga. Georgia won in eight overtime periods. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Penn State tight end Tyler Warren (44) hurdles Maryland defensive back Kevis Thomas (25) during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
