No. 2 Georgia beats Florida Gators 34-20

Florida fought. Scratched. Clawed. And … led No. 2 Georgia in the second half Saturday.

But in the end, the Gators couldn’t overcome significant injures, including one to starting quarterback DJ Lagway, or a potent Bulldogs offense. And despite a pretty valiant effort by Billy Napier’s team, it was Georgia that came out on top at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla.

Final score: Georgia 34, Florida 20.

The Gators fall to 4-4 overall and 2-3 in the SEC. Georgia is 7-1 and 5-1. The Bulldogs now have beaten Florida four straight seasons and are 3-0 against Napier.

With the loss, Napier falls to only 1-10 in rivalry games at Florida.

With 5:01 left in the first half and Florida leading 10-3, Lagway grabbed his hamstring after a running play to the left in which he gained 3 yards. He did not return to the game.

“He’s got a hamstring (injury),” Gators coach Billy Napier said in his halftime interview with ABC. “Pretty significant one. But he’s a tough kid. … I can promise you one thing. This team will rally behind him.”

With Graham Mertz, who began the season as Florida’s starting quarterback, already out for the year with a knee injury, the Gators turned to redshirt freshman walk-on Aidan Warner when Lagway went down. He led the Gators on two scoring drives, one that tied the game at 20-all in the fourth quarter.

But down the stretch, Florida couldn’t keep up.

Gators Online provided updates from the game below. Additionally, we encourage you to talk about the Cocktail Party with Florida fans in Swamp Talk, the Gators Online message board community.

FOURTH QUARTER

-After the turnover, Georgia quickly capitalized with a Dwight Phillips 4-yard touchdown run. SCORE: Georgia 34-20, 3:03.

-Florida quarterback Aidan Warner just threw a pick and Georgia will take over deep in Florida territory with 3:47 left.

-Georgia just responded with a 75-yard seven-play drive to go back in front. Quarterback Carson Beck hit Dominic Lovett for a 10-yard touchdown. SCORE: Georgia 27-20, 4:01.

-A stunning 55-yard, five-play drive has Florida back in a tie. Ja’Kobi Jackson just scored on a 15-yard run through the teeth of the Georgia defense. Gators QB Aidan Warner had a key completion on the drive. SCORE: 20-20, 7:29.

-After another three-and-out forced by Florida, Georgia will have to punt from its own 17. The Gators have the ball at the Florida 46 with 9:58 left. The Florida defense has come up big thus far in the fourth quarter with a couple big stops.

-Both teams just had offensive drives that stalled to start the quarter. George now takes over after a Florida punt at the Dawgs 12.

THIRD QUARTER

-After a botched field goal attempt from Florida, Georgia quickly capitalized and now again has the lead following a 22-yard touchdown pass from Carson Beck to Cash Jones. SCORE: Georgia 20-13, 1:30.

-Georgia now has 322 yards to 161 for Florida.

-Following an eight-play, 83-yard drive, Georgia has tied it up on a 2-yard touchdown run from Nate Frazier. SCORE: 13-13, 7:01.

-The Gators couldn’t do anything after the turnover and had to punt.

-Florida linebacker Grayson Howard pressured Georgia quarterback Carson Beck and he threw his third interception of the day. This time, linebacker Jack Pyburn came up with the pick. The Gators take over at the 50.

-The Gators just went three-and-out to start the third quarter. Georgia takes over at its own 29.

SECOND QUARTER

-A 53-yard field goal by Trey Smack has put the Gators back ahead by a touchdown. The drive covered 40 yards on eight plays, mostly runs but redshirt freshman walk-on QB Aidan Warner had a couple big completions. SCORE: Florida 13-6, 0:03.

-After taking over on the Florida 48 following a punt, the Dawgs had to settle for a 53-yard field goal from Peyton Woodring. SCORE: Florida 10-6, 0:43.

-The Florida defense produced another stop late in the first half and the Gators got the ball after a punt at the UF 6 with 1:32 left.

-With Graham Mertz, who began the season as Florida’s starting quarterback, already out for the year with a knee injury, the Gators turned to redshirt freshman walk-on Aidan Warner when Lagway went down.

-Lagway hurt his hamstring on a running play and they are taking him away on a cart. There is 5:01 left in the half.

-The Florida defense just had its best series of the day, forcing a quick three-and-out. The Gators will take over at their own 25 with 5:14 left in the half.

-The underdog Gators now are ahead by a touchdown after a 10-pay, 37-yards drive results in a Trey Smack 32-yard field goal. SCORE: Florida 10-3, 7:22.

-The Gators just intercepted Beck for a second time as he again threw an ill-advised pass. Aaron Gates got the interception and returned it 30 yards to the Florida 49.

-Lagway is now 2-of-4 passing for 47 yards and a touchdown. That was Beck’s ninth interception of the season.

-One play after the turnover, Lagway — on play-action — hit receiver Aidan Mizell for a 43-yard touchdown and Florida suddenly has the lead. SCORE: Florida 7-3, 13:42.

-With the Florida defense struggling, Beck made what can best be described as a dumb throw into double coverage and Devin Moore intercepted it.

FIRST QUARTER

-The Gators just went three-and-out on their second series and a false start on third down didn’t help. Lagway threw high and incomplete to end the series. He’s now 1 of 3 for 4 yards.

-Georgia now has 120 total yards to only 17 for Florida following that Dawgs field goal.

-Georgia just capped a 13-play, 83-yard drive with a Peyton Woodring 23-yard field goal. Dawgs quarterback Carson Beck had a solid series and now is 8 of 13 for 91 yards. SCORE: Georgia 3-0, 2:10.

-Florida’s first drive ends with a punt. The Gators picked up a first down but only 17 yards.

-With Montrell Johnson Jr. hurt, Ja’Kobi Jackson got the start at running back for Florida.

-Georgia reached the Florida 43 on its first drive after gaining 32 yards and two first downs, but then the Gators forced a punt after QB Carson Beck was just long on a third-down deep throw. Excellent hold for Florida to start the game.

-The Gators won the toss, elected to defer to second half.

-Kickoff is set for just after 3:50 p.m. ET.