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Florida benches starting quarterback DJ Lagway against Kentucky, Tramell Jones takes over

FaceProfileby: Thomas Goldkamp5 hours ago
DJ-Lagway-Florida-Gators
Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) against the South Florida Bulls prior to the game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. (Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images)

Florida has benched starting quarterback DJ Lagway in a game against Kentucky. Lagway did not appear to be injured but was struggling mightily in the contest.

The second-year quarterback had gone just 11-of-19 passing for 83 yards and a touchdown, but he had thrown three interceptions. He previously had a game against LSU in which he threw five interceptions.

So before things could get any worse, with Florida trailing Kentucky 31-7 in the contest, the Gators lifted DJ Lagway. In came backup Tramell Jones, a freshman.

Going into the game, Jones had gone 12-of-18 passing for 131 yards and two touchdowns. He has not thrown an interception this season, though he’s rarely been in pressure spots like he will be entering the Kentucky game in the second half.

For his part, DJ Lagway has now thrown more interceptions than touchdowns. He has 11 touchdown passes on the season, against 12 interceptions. Florida simply hasn’t gotten enough out of him of late, and so the Gators opted to look for a spark in Jones.

Florida playmaker opts out

It didn’t take long for the bad news to start rolling in on Saturday night, even before DJ Lagway got off to an exceptionally poor start in the game. A midseason opt-out will certainly sting.

Florida has been decimated by injuries at the receiver position, but it’s also been hurt by the aforementioned opt-out. The SEC Network broadcast crew revealed Saturday night that receiver Tank Hawkins has opted to sit out the rest of the season.

Hawkins has already appeared in four games for Florida this season, appearing against Long Island, South Florida, Mississippi State and Georgia. He has logged just two catches for 16 yards.

“They’re without three key receivers, including Eugene Wilson III, who is out due to foot surgery,” broadcaster Tom Hart said on the call. “And Tank Hawkins is protecting his redshirt. He’s played four games and doesn’t want to play anymore.”

So DJ Lagway was already working with a depleted receiving corps before he even took the field on Saturday night. Still, his play was enough to earn him some time on the pine, while Jones will get a chance to breathe some life into the offense.