A nice finish, finally

DJ Lagway hands off to Jadan Baugh for one of his 38 carries Saturday night. Photo by Hanna White University of Florida.

By Carlton Reese

GatorBait Media

Finally, a night of joy in The Swamp. The nightmare of 2025 ended Saturday night and no one was concerned with the spurning of Lane Kiffin or the 4-8 record, or even that it was a bitter rival that Florida took care of on Senior Night. For one night, all that mattered was the Gators dominated an opponent and the cool vibes of Florida football and the passion that is the collegiate game pushed the bitter doldrums to the side of the road. At least for a night.

Florida crushed FSU, 40-21, no great feat given the state of the Seminoles’ program, but it was much needed, especially in the manner in which it transpired. If the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were 3-8 and facing the Miami Dolphins on the last game of the season, no one would care. But Florida football matters, no matter what the records are, especially when FSU comes to town. The Florida players which seemed to lay down a week ago against Tennessee brought their passion to the ballpark and were rewarded handsomely.

No one deserved that reward more than Jadan Baugh, who did not lay down against the Vols, but ran his butt off to the very end of what is best described as a humiliation. There was no reward for the effort last week – that reward came Saturday night in what was one of the greatest single performances by a Gator running back in the program’s history, and not just because of the statistics he piled up. Baugh delivered blow after a blow and wore down the Seminoles defense while he seemed to gain speed as the game wore on.

Baugh carried 38 times for 266 yards – the hard way, the Chuck Foreman way, bruising defenders in chunks of five and six yards of hand-to-hand combat. On Florida’s first play from scrimmage, he tore off a 21-yard run and that would be the last of his Tony Dorsett-type runs. After that, it was all Larry Csonka, just banging into defenders who will all have an unpleasant Sunday icing the wounds inflicted by Baugh.

If anyone deserved the standing ovation, it was Baugh and his maligned offensive line that helped plow the way for many of those yards. There was no secret to Florida’s game plan: Hand the ball off to Baugh and enjoy the ride. FSU knew what was coming, the 90,007 fans in attendance knew what was coming, yet Baugh could not be stopped.

The coup de grace came on Florida’s final drive, set up by a failed FSU onside kick recovered appropriately enough by Baugh. Down 34-21, FSU coach Mike Norvell went Urban Meyer on his own players, exhausting all three of his timeouts to prolong his own team’s misery and give Baugh time to catch his breath between plays so he could inflict more damage.

It was time to have some fun, and who could blame the Gators for milking every second and every point to be had. Florida would not lay down – this was it. Baugh carried every play on the drive and none were breakaways: 5, 7, 15, 2, 5, 6 and 4. On 4^th-and-3 from the FSU 12, Baugh tore through three tacklers en route to the end zone. Those three FSU defenders, left helpless and exhausted on the Florida Field turf, would be in their right mind to demand the immediate dismissal of their embattled coach for making them endure this punishment.

Baugh has been Florida’s Sisyphus all year, carrying the rock as a heavy burden with nothing to show for it. In this case, Sisyphus finally made it up the hill – Baugh eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the season and produced the second-best statistical day ever for a Florida running back. He deserved this night.

The Florida offensive line also deserved this night. Coming into the season, the unit was held as one of the top veteran units in the country, but as things went south the line incurred much blame. Seniors Jake Slaughter, Dameon George and Austin Barber made Baugh’s night possible and they earned their reward in their final game.

The way this season has gone, FSU’s arrival seemed the answer to a sick kid’s “Make A Wish” foundation request. “Can I get a win please and maybe a trip to Disney World?” Request answered: Here come the Seminoles, likely the worst team Florida played this year outside of Long Island.

You think Florida has problems? Just take a look at FSU. No one in Tallahassee wants Norvell there anymore, not even the people who guaranteed he would remain as coach there into next season. The only reason Norvell remains at FSU is because the bank account is about as healthy has its dwindling endowment. They just can’t afford to send him packing, so they’re stuck with him.

As for the Gators, today is the time to enjoy a win over the Seminoles and perhaps even relax now that you are no longer forced into liking Lane Kiffin. Hate away on that guy the way we always did – it actually feels pretty good. In due time, all the attention will be on the dismal failure that was 2025, all the negativity that comes with a 4-8 campaign when your season started with a top-15 ranking and playoff aspirations. But for now, it’s time have a little fun, smoke a victory cigar, and tease some of your filthy Nole friends who are now more down than you.

There used to be a saying, “eat drink and be merry for tomorrow you may be in Utah.” Well, tonight we should all eat drink and be merry for tomorrow we will be in the reality of the end of a losing season. What a nice finish, but be glad it’s finally over.