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Graham Mertz leaves Miami game with apparent injury

Untitled designby:Nick de la Torre•08/31/24•

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida Gators starting quarterback Graham Mertz was sidelined late in the third quarter of Florida’s season-opening game against the Miami Hurricanes. Mertz was hit just after throwing, a pass that was intercepted just short of the end zone.

Mertz immediately showed signs of pain and Florida Senior Director of Sports Health, Paul Silvestri was quick to get out to the senior quarterback. After getting Mertz to his feet, Silvestri led the quarterback directly to the Florida locker room.

Mertz and the Florida offense was having little success against the Miami Hurricanes. Mertz was just 11-of-20 for 91 yards without a touchdown. The Gators’ offense had just 192 yards, with 71 of those coming on a single Montrell Johnson rushing touchdown in the second quarter. The Canes were leading the Gators 38-10 when Mertz was forced out of the game.

With Mertz unavailable, the Gators turned to true freshman DJ Lagway without Mertz. The five-star quarterback from Willis, Texas. Heisman-winning quarterback, Tim Tebow, spoke highly of Lagway before the game on Saturday.

Tebow joined The Paul Finebaum Show on Friday to discuss a number of topics, including Florida’s upcoming season. He shared that he is optimistic about the direction the program is headed under Billy Napier. DJ Lagway is a big part of that.

“DJ Lagway, our freshman quarterback. I think he’s extremely special,” Tim Tebow said. “It’s not to take away from Graham, because I think Graham is the leader of the team. But I think DJ can step in and help in a lot of areas and I think give d-coordinators a couple of nightmares.”

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