Gators ride wave of momentum to a 33-8 Gasparilla Bowl win

TAMPA, FLORIDA — The Florida Gators, left for dead by many after starting 1-2 three months ago, just produced an eight-win season. The latest victim: Tulane.

Billy Napier’s team beat the Green Wave 33-8 on Friday in the Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Florida, 8-5, closed the season with four straight wins. Meanwhile, Tulane is 9-5 after dropping three in a row.

The Gators, 10.5-point favorites, were the better team from the start. But they led only 6-0 at the half before taking control in the final 30 minutes.

Florida true freshman quarterback DJ Lagway shook off a rough beginning to complete 22 of 35 passes for 305 yards, 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions. Trey Smack kicked four field goals. And running back Jadan Baugh rushed for 70 yards.

But the story was the Florida defense.

Without starting QB Darian Mensah, who is transferring to Duke, Tulane’s offense did very little and finished with only 194 total yards to 529 for the Gators. Florida picked off three passes.

The Gators now lead the all-time series with Tulane, 14-6-2. Florida has won 12 straight in the series. The teams haven’t faced each other since 1984.

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FOURTH QUARTER

-Florida’s bid for a shutout ends with 29 seconds left as Ty Thompson hit Mario Williams for a 16-yard score. SCORE: Florida 33-8, 0:29

-Florida running back Anthony Rubio just scored on a 9-yard run. He had five carries for 30 yards on the drive. SCORE: Florida 33-0, 1:11

-Florida now is over 500 yards.

-It appears Lagway’s day is complete.

-Ty Thompson just threw his third interception — this time it was grabbed by freshman Florida linebacker Myles Graham. There’s 5:54 left but this game is over.

-Freshman running back KD Daniels just picked up a Lagway fumble and ran 27 yards for a touchdown. Florida is now ahead and has an edge in total yards of 475-143. SCORE: Florida 26-0, 6:29

-The Gators just got another fourth-down stop. Tulane now is 1 of 4 on fourth down in this game.

-Smack’s fourth field goal of the game has the Gators firmly in control. It was good from 30 yards. Florida’s drive covered seven plays and 35 yards. A touchdown run by Jadan Baugh was wiped away by a holding penalty. SCORE: Florida 19-0, 13:03

THIRD QUARTER

-Florida just forced a turnover on downs and the Gators are back in business at the Tulane 47.

-The Gators have finally found the end zone. Lagway just hit tight end Tony Livinginston, a Tampa native, for a 7-yard touchdown to complete a seven-play, 60-yard drive. SCORE: Florida 16-0, 4:03

-Tulane has only 98 yards of offense for the game with 7:25 left in the third quarter.

-Tulane quarterback Ty Thompson was just incepted by Florida’s Alfonzo Allen at the Gators 40. The ball hit his receiver in the hands, but then bounced high into the air and Allen grabbed it.

-The Gators scored again, this time on a 24-yard Smack field goal. The drive covered 10 plays and 59 yards with the highlight being a 38-yard completion from Lagway to Chimere Dike. But inside the 10, the Florida offense struggled. SCORE: Florida 9-0, 9:11

-The Florida defense forced a quick three-and-out to begin the second half.

SECOND QUARTER

-Florida leads in total yards 247-46 with 2:00 left in the first half.

-A 71-yard Florida drive just ended with Lagway throwing an interception in the end zone. He’s been picked twice today, both on throws over the middle.

-A 44-yard Trey Smack field goal has Florida ahead by six. The Gators’ drive covered 54 yards in nine plays. But a couple Florida penalties were costly. SCORE: Florida 6-0, 9:12

-Tulane missed a 35-yard field goal that would have tied it.

FIRST QUATER

-Lagway was intercepted at the Florida 35 by Tulane’s Kevin Adams. Tulane ball at the Florida 24 with 47 seconds left in the first quarter.

-Tulane picked up 32 yards and two first downs on Drive No. 2, but the series stalled near midfield. The Gators take over after a punt at their own 10.

-The Gators have 77 yards, Tulane has 0 with 7:48 left in the first half.

-Trey Smack just booted a 34-yard field goal to put the Gators in front. The drive covered 64 yards on nine plays. SCORE: Florida 3-0, 7:48

-Tulane attempted a flea flicker on its opening play but Ty Thompson’s deep pass was intercepted by Gators defensive back Trikweze Bridges at the Florida 24.

-The Gators picked up a first down on Drive No. 1 but couldn’t do anything after that. The Wave put pressure on Lagway during numerous plays and the Gators had to punt.