Florida uses late INT to beat Mississippi State 23-21

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA—The Florida Gators led by a lot, then by a little. And toward the end, it looked like a loss was coming. But with 21 seconds left, embattled coach Billy Napier received a gift.
Thanks to an interception by UF defensive lineman Michai Boireau, the Gators thwarted a last-minute drive and escaped with a homecoming win Saturday night in the Swamp over Mississippi State, 23-21.
Will this be Napier’s last game as UF coach? If so, he’ll leave Gainesville with a 22-23 overall record. Of his wins, this was among the most dramatic.
The Gators (3-4, 2-2 in the SEC) led 23-14 after a 53-yard field goal by Trey Smack with 6:49 left. But the Bulldogs (4-3, 0-3) rallied and cut it to 23-21 on a 2-yard run by Davon Booth with 2:32 remaining.
UF went three-and-out and MSU got the ball back with a chance to win. The Bulldogs drove to the Florida 29 before Boireau stepped in front of a Blake Shapen pass and sent the Ben Hill Griffin Stadium crowd into a frenzy.
UF finished with 452 yards. Running back Jadan Baugh set a career-high with 150 yards on 23 carries. Quarterback DJ Lagway was 20 of 34 for 280 yards but threw two interceptions.
Gators Online was on the scene at the Swamp to provide coverage of Saturday’s game. We encourage you to join the discussion with other Gators fans on Swamp Talk, our message board community.
FOURTH QUARTER
*After a UF punt, MSU takes over at the MSU 27 with 1:39 left. The Bulldogs have one timeout.
*MSU has scored again, this time on a 2-yard TD run by Davon Booth. It was an 11-play, 67-yard drive. SCORE: UF 23, MSU 21; 2:32
*Trey Smack has just booted a critical 53-yard field goal for the Gators. The drive was eight plays for 40 yards. That was Smack’s second made kick from 50-plus yards today. SCORE: UF 23, MSU 14; 6:49
*The Gators currently have 421 yards.
*MSU won’t quit. The Bulldogs just went 65 yards in five plays and scored on a 2-yard run from Davon Booth. SCORE: UF 20, MSU 14; 11:57
*This is Jadan Baugh’s third 100-yard game and fourth of the season.
*The Gators got a 1-yard touchdown run on a direct snap to KD Daniels. The drive covered 93 yards on 11 plays. SCORE: UF 20, MSU 7; 13:41
THIRD QUARTER
*Gators RB Jadan Baugh has a new career-high today. His old best with 107 yards vs. Texas.
*MSU got to the t0 but that’s it. After a punt, there is 4:01 left in the quarter with UF at the Gators’ 7.
*With 8:24 left in the third quarter, UF leads 334-239 in total yards.
*UF drove to the MSU 42 but ultimately had to punt. The drive covered 30 yards on five plays, but then the Gators couldn’t get any further.
*Now, the UF defense has forced a three-and-out.
*The Gators start the half by going three-and-out.
SECOND QUARTER
*MSU drove to the UF 23 but had to settle for a 41-yard field goal, but it was missed.
*Trey Smack’s 54-yard field goal caps an 11-play, 49-yard drive: SCORE: UF 13, MSU 7; 3:08
*The Gators have forced a fumble by Brien Taylor and it was recovered by UF’s Jayden Woods at the Florida 16 with 8:39 left in the half.
*Gators QB DJ Lagway was just picked off by Brylan Lanier at the MSU 4. He had thrown five straight completions.
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*UF just forced a quick three-and-out. Brendan Bett picked up a sack on third down. Gators ball at the UF 22 with 12:44 left in the half.
*After stopping MSU on fourth down, UF just went 69 yards on six plays and took its first lead of the day on a 19-yard touchdown run by Jadan Baugh. SCORE: UF 10, MSU 7; 14:15
FIRST QUARTER
*Linebacker Jaden Robinson just made a big fourth-down stop at the UF 31. Gators ball with 1:36 left in the quarter.
*Gators quarterback DJ Lagway has started the game 3 of 9 for 38 yards.
*The Gators can’t pick up a first down and will punt with 5:07 left in the quarter.
*MSU quickly gained 30 yards on its second drive, but the Gators got a sack from Kamran James and Brien Taylor on third down. After a punt, it’s UF ball at the Gators 10 with 5:46 left in the first quarter.
*Florida just went 58 yards in 11 plays but couldn’t find the end zone. Tight end Hayden Hansen dropped a sure touchdown on third down. Trey Smack’s 24-yard field goal has UF on the board. SCORE: MSU 7, UF 3; 8:55
*A 2-yard TD run for Kamario Taylor caps an eight-play, 75-yard drive by MSU to open the game. The big play was a 48-yard reception. SCORE: MSU 7, UF 0; 12:18
*Florida kicks off. The Gators will receive the ball to begin the second half.
How to watch the Florida Gators vs Mississippi State Bulldogs
Date: Sat. Oct. 18
Time: 4:15 p.m. ET
Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Steve Spurrier-Florida Field (88,548), Gainesville, Fla.
TV: SEC Network
Stream: Cox 68/1068[HD], DirecTV 611 [HD]
Radio: SiriusXM Channel: 190 or 208 [Gator Network]
On The Call — SEC Network
Play-by-Play: Dave Neal
Analyst: Fozzy Whitaker
Reporter: Morgan Uber
On The Call — Gator Sports Network from LEARFIELD
Play-by-Play: Sean Kelley
Analyst: Shane Matthews
Reporter: Tate Casey
Betting Lines
BetMGM, On3’s official partner, lists Florida as a 9.5-point favorite (-110 for UF). The over/under is 50.5 (-105 for UF). The money line is -350 for the Gators and +280 for Texas A&M.