ESPN broadcast: Graham Mertz has earned the opportunity to be on the field despite DJ Lagway's presence
Graham Mertz or DJ Lagway? It seems to be the former after Saturday’s performance against Mississippi State.
Because really, when do two-quarterback systems work in college football? It’s pretty rare and ESPN’s Dusty Dvoracek said Mertz earned the right to start and be the sole quarterback of the offense.
In the 45-28 win, both played well, but Mertz, a veteran, seemed like he owned the moment and should remain the starter. It seemed like play-by-play man Dave Pasch agreed.
“I just I wonder, though, you know, we talked about this earlier, looking big picture if Florida’s really going to turn it around and make a bowl game at some point, do you have to decide on a quarterback,” Pasch asked. “Because, as we’ve seen throughout the history of football, two quarterback systems rarely work when it’s two guys that are coming in. I mean, it’s different if you have one guy coming for one play, it’s different.”
Dvoracek agreed, while conceding that Chris Leak and Tim Tebow are a rare example of it working. Ironically, they did it at Florida and won a title. Mertz and Lagway are in a bit of a different situation.
“I wonder if the role of DJ Lagway is a little more shrunk, a little more limited,” Dvoracek said. “We’ve seen him come in, be utilized as a runner, red zone situations. He is 6-foot-3, 240. He’s got that big frame, that athleticism, but clearly Billy Napier wants to continue for him to grow and mature, and he sounds like he’s dedicated to keeping this somewhat status quo moving forward. But I agree. I think Graham Mertz, he’s earned the opportunity to be on the field. He’s going to give your team the best chance to win.”
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Mertz finished the game 19-of-21 passing for 201 yards, three touchdowns, 24 rushing yards and one touchdown on the ground. Lagway did not alternate every series, but rather every third series before Mertz was practically on autopilot.
Lagway was seven-of-seven passing for 76 yards and ran for 22 yards.