The University of Florida football team rebounded from a dismal start, capturing the Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl with a resounding 33-8 victory over Tulane. The win marked the program’s fourth consecutive win to finish the season with an 8-5 record, their best since 2020.
The game featured several career-firsts, including walk-on safety Alfonzo Allen and true freshman linebacker Myles Graham recording their first interceptions, while true freshman KD Daniels scored his first touchdown on a 27-yard scamper. Walk-on running back Anthony Rubio also secured his first career touchdown late in the contest. Defensive tackle Desmond Watson, weighing 449 pounds, made his first rushing yard.
Bowl games often feature players not seen frequently during the regular season due to injuries, opt-outs, or coaching staff decisions. Florida utilized this opportunity, playing various players throughout the game. The Gators took an early lead, which allowed them to showcase several career-firsts.
However, Florida’s red zone offense struggled initially, with a 9-0 lead evaporating by halftime. Freshman quarterback DJ Lagway missed wide-open opportunities and tossed an interception, but he eventually finished strong with two touchdowns in the red zone. The Gators’ defense carried the team to victory, limiting Tulane to just 194 yards of total offense.
Lagway, who has been nursing a hamstring injury, played despite not being fully healthy. He improved his record as a starting quarterback and set the Gasparilla Bowl record with 305 passing yards. Kicker Trey Smack was perfect in the contest, making four field goals that tied a game record.
Source: https://www.gatorcountry.com/feature/five-takeaways-from-floridas-gasparilla-bowl-game-victory-over-tulane