The only thing Billy Napier is getting from Florida fans this season is criticism. The Gators haven’t won any games against ranked opponents this season. And just when the HC was set to face more heat, another unfortunate circumstance occurred, which ironically shielded him from intense scrutiny. 

In the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party, Billy Napier and the Gators fell in defeat to No. 2 Georgia in an intense battle. But it was DJ Lagway’s injury that saved the HC from even more wrath from fans with a 4-4 season. Many think it’s Lagway’s unfortunate incident that Florida fell in their latest game. One person wrote on X on November 3, “GG’s Florida! I really believe if we had DJ Lagway in this game we would’ve won !!!”

It may be a loss but it was an acceptable loss. After all, they’re playing against one of the top CFB programs. They could’ve made a national headliner but their freshman QB, their hope, became their downfall. DJ Lagway suffered a left hamstring injury and returned to the sidelines on crutches in the second half. A gloomy scenario after what happened to their main QB, Graham Mertz. 

Replacing Mertz who suffered a season-ending injury in the Week 7 23-17 OT loss to Tennessee, DJ Lagway began the game on a bright note. He completed 2 of 6 passes for 47 yards, which includes a 43-yard passing touchdown to Aidan Mizell. The 19-year-old Lagway also earned 18 yards on four carries. After he was carted off the field, walk-on freshman Aidan Warner filled his role, completing 7 of 22 passes for 66 yards and was sacked two times. What would you make of the 34-20 loss to Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs? Fans aren’t holding back their opinions.

Fans lament over DJ Lagway’s injury

Of all the other times, why on November 3? See how devastated Florida fans are starting with this: “Everyone in the entire country knows that if DJ Lagway doesn’t get injured the Florida Gators win this football game. But that’s not what happened. Tough pill to swallow but don’t really have a choice.” Now there’s nothing much anyone can do about it. 

Every disappointed fan has one thing in the back of their minds, with many voicing this particular thought — “If DJ Lagway was still playing we would’ve won.” And that wouldn’t have been an impossible scenario. In fact, Georgia, favored by 15.5 points, struggled against Florida in the first half. The Gators held a 13-6 lead at halftime. However, the game took a turn when Lagway left the field with a leg injury in the second half. So noting that, a fan wrote, “If Lagway doesn’t get hurt we win this game. DJ was seeing the field so well.” 

But it is what it is; as this person said, “Team played with enough effort just unfortunate circumstances.” With the QB issues and a tough November schedule ahead, including games against No. 6 Texas, LSU, and Ole Miss, the Gators’ future looks uncertain. The return of Lagway is still up in the air, leaving fans to wonder what the 4-4 team’s fate will be.