JACKSONVILLE — Florida proved it could compete against the nation’s best with a new head coach, but the Gators will have to wait to find the right man to beat Georgia.
Interim coach Billy Gonzales stepped in for Billy Napier and nearly led Florida past its longtime SEC rival. But the No. 5 Bulldogs prevailed 24-20 Saturday in Jacksonville.
The Gators (3-5, 2-3 SEC) had their chances to pick up their first win against Georgia since 2020, back when Gonzales coached receivers for Dan Mullen.
As a reported crowd of 76,131 at EverBank Stadium looked on, a near-fumble by quarterback DJ Lagway left UF facing fourth-and-1 from the Bulldogs’ 18 while clinging to a 20-17 lead.