Former Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz dominated for the Florida Gators in their win over Mississippi State on Saturday.
Mertz, who returned to the Gators’ lineup a week ago against Texas A&M, completed 19 of his 21 throws for 201 yards and three passing touchdowns vs. the Bulldogs in Starkville. He also rushed three times for 24 yards and a touchdown.
The output vs. Mississippi State is Mertz’s best game of 2024 by a landslide. He finished with 195 yards, one touchdown and one interception vs. the Aggies on Sept. 14 in his first appearance after suffering a concussion in Week 1 against the Miami Hurricanes;
Mertz’s breakout performance in Week 4 is somewhat surprising considering the back-and-forth in Florida’s quarterback locker room this season. The former Badger opened as the starter after a spectacular 2023 season performance in Gainesville. The concussion against Miami, however, opened the door for five-star true freshman D.J. Lagway. The Texas native filled in for Mertz in Week 2 against Samford and totaled 456 yards and three touchdowns.
Florida QB Graham Mertz at halftime vs. Mississippi State:
🐊 15-16 C/ATT
🐊 147 YDs
🐊 3 TDs pic.twitter.com/RPc3T3pFfV
— On3 (@On3sports) September 21, 2024
While some deemed Lagway’s performance as evidence for Mertz to remain on the sideline for the remainder of the season, Florida head coach Billy Napier affirmed that both Mertz and Lagway would see the field for the rest of the 2024 slate.
Nonetheless, Mertz played like a true Division I starter on Saturday. He will receive another opportunity to flash his skill set against the UCF Knights on Oct. 5.
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Publish date : 2024-09-22 00:40:00
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