Knights Get Chomped in 'The Swamp' as Gators Get Revenge

© Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

The Florida Gators (3-2, 1-1 Southeastern Conference) defeated the Central Florida Knights (3-2, 1-1 Big 12 Conference) 24-13 on Oct. 5 in Gainesville, Fla. While the score may not show it, the game was in the Gators' control the entire time.

To start the game, the Gators started Graham Mertz at quarterback over D.J. Lagway. Mertz hit receivers Elijhah Badger and Tank Hawkins multiple times each on the opening 15-play, 75-yard drive resulting in a Badger touchdown reception.

The Knights' opening drive was nearly as successful as the Gators' opening drive. Between quarterback K.J. Jefferson and running back R.J. Harvey, the Knights made it all the way to the Gators' 10-yard line. However, the Gators stopped them there. The Knights kicked a field goal, making the score 7-3.

Gators vs. Knights Statistics

Mertz went 19-for-23 passing for 179 yards and a touchdown. Lagway went a perfect 4-for-4 for 50 yards. On the other side, Jefferson only went 12-for-22 for 165 yards. The Gators held Harvey to just 75 yards. The Gator defense held up for the most part until the fourth quarter.

When it Changed

The game changed on the Knights' second drive. On fourth-and-1, the Knights decided to go for it with Jefferson. The powerful quarterback was driven back by linebacker Jack Pyburn and several other defenders. This led to the Knights' turnover on downs. The Gators switched to Lagway. After a bullet pass to receiver Chimere Dike, the Gators were only a few yards away from the end zone again. Running back Ja'Kobi Jackson took it in the rest of the way for a 1-yard touchdown run, giving the Gators a 14-3 lead.

The game was put away when the Gators scored their third touchdown of the game right before halftime, taking all the momentum with them. It also sent the Gator crowd into a frenzy. The third touchdown was scored by running back Montrell Johnson Jr.

After getting the ball back, the Gators drove down and scored a field goal before the end of the half. Little scoring happened in the second half with just 10 points going UCF's way. Florida's Bryce Thornton iced the game with the game's only interception.

What it Means

For the Florida Gators, this was a crucial win. Not only was this important for head coach Billy Napier, who needs every win he can get, but for the fans. This is an in-state rivalry both teams fight for each time they meet. The Gators got revenge in this game from the 2021 Gasparilla Bowl loss against the Knights. Not only were the Gators pumped up, but the fans were as well. After this game, the Gators will take on the No. 4 Tennessee Volunteers on Oct. 12. After that, they return home to face the Kentucky Wildcats on Oct. 19. They will finish the month on a bye.

© Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

For the Central Florida Knights, the loss is a massive one. The Big 12 is very open at the moment with no clear frontrunner for the conference championship. UCF is certainly in the conversation, but with two losses already, it needs to win the rest of the way to have a chance. The rest of the month, the Knights will face Cincinnati on Oct. 12 at home, go on the road against Iowa State on Oct. 19 and close out the month with a home game against Brigham Young on Oct. 26. For the most part, this will all be difficult games for the Knights.