Week 2 Preview: Florida Gators (0-1, 0,0) v. Samford Bulldogs (0-1, 0,0)

Freshman DJ Lagway gets the start, while Florida looks to put an end to its defensive woes.

Samford Offense

Key Players-#2 QB Quincy Crittenden (5-11 ,200, Jr.), #22 RB Micah Kelly (5-9, 209, Gr.), #12 Brendan Jenkins (6-1, 200, So.) #15 Iaan Cousin (5-11, 170, Gr.), #3 WR E. Jai Mason (6-1, 205, Sr.)

Matchups To Watch: Florida Secondary vs. Samford WR Trio, Florida Defensive Line vs. Quincy Crittenden

The Florida Gators have to play better on defense. Quarterback Quincy Crittenden is elusive and can present similar problems for the Florida defense that Cam ward did a week ago. Crittenden battled injuries for Samford in 2023 but in 2022 led them to the FCS national quarterfinals. Crittenden led the team in both rushing and passing in the Week 1 loss to West Georgia accounting for 307 yards passing and 90 on the ground with two touchdowns. Crittenden completed 24 passes to 10 different receivers last week for two touchdowns. Reigning Southern Conference Freshman of the Year Brendan Jenkins led the Samford pass catchers with four catches for 87 yards and a touchdown. Transfer receivers Iaan Cousin (Kennesaw State) and E. Jai Mason (N.W. Mississippi C.C.) also had solid days combining for eight catches for 120 yards. After Crittenden, Toledo transfer and Pascagoula, Mississippi native Micah Kelly was the lead back rushing for 42 yards on 10 carries. 

Samford moved the ball well at times against West Georgia and led by three going into the final quarter. In many ways they had far more to be positive about on offense than the Gators. On paper the Florida defense is far superior to West Georgia, unfortunately what the Gators have shown on defense under Billy Napier has left much to be desired. Florida will have to account for Crittenden’s ability to extend plays on passing downs where they have struggled in the past. If Florida is unable to get pressure and Samford is able to keep the sticks moving, Florida could find itself struggling to get a lesser opponent off the field. Should Florida find a way to get pressure and live in the Samford backfield, there is not much in the way of a rushing attack past the quarterback. 

DJ Lagway will make his first start vs. Samford (Chris Spears photo)

Samford Defense

Key Players-#32 LB Noah Martin (6-2, 232, Gr.), #33 LB Jaden Mosley (6-2, 208, Jr.), #29 S C.J Douglas (5-10, 195, So.), #24 S Edwin Dearmon (5-11, 200, Gr.)

Matchups to Watch: Florida Offense v. Florida Schematic Issues and Execution, Florida Offensive Line v. Samford Front Seven

Noah Martin is one of the Southern Conference’s and was selected as an FCS Preseason All-American. With 11 tackles against West Georgia Martin has recorded 41 tackles in his last three games. Fellow linebacker Jaden Mosley also recorded double digit tackles last week (10) as well as a sack and 1.5 tackles for loss. In the secondary safeties C.J Douglas and Edwin Dearmon have good size and are willing tacklers combining for 14 tackles against West Georgia.

Samford surrendered 212 yards to West Georgia and 271 through the air. That should give a Florida offensive unit that found tough sledding against a Miami defense a little confidence going into Saturday. Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on who you ask freshman DJ Lagway will be making his first start of his college career against Samford. While Lagway is most definitely the Gators future he will be at the helm of an offensive attack that presently has issues in every part of its existence. Napier and his offensive staff will have to find a way to get the running game going early against a vulnerable defensive front and allow Lagway to ease himself into his first college start. Martin will be looking to get after the Florida running backs and continue his streak of double-digit stops. Will Florida allow Lagway to let it fly or keep the passing game vanilla for a second week? 

The Skinny: Last week it was who knows? This week, we are about to find out. What will the story of this game be around 11pm Saturday night? Florida has spent the week talking about the embarrassment of the Miami loss, trying to support one another, and hopefully fixing some of the issues that plague this team because there is no way to fix it all in a week. In all honesty a win will do very little to restore faith in the “processes” that Billy Napier spoke so highly of earlier this year. A sub-par performance however would bring more doubters into the fold. The Florida Gators have very little room for error but plenty for improvement. A win at home will at least make a visit from the Aggies eight days from now worth a conversation. For Napier’s sake I hope it’s a big one.

Prediction: Florida 30 Samford 14

Florida Head Coach Billy Napier (Chris Spears photo)