The Florida Gators ended their season on a high note, defeating Tulane 33-8 in the Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl. With the victory, the Gators finish the season 8-5 on a four-game win streak. Quarterback DJ Lagway threw for 305 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions. Chimere Dike had six catches for 96 yards, while Tony Livingston had four for 58 yards and a touchdown. This win is emblematic of Florida’s rebound this season after a rough start where many called for an overhaul of the program. Meanwhile, Tulane’s season ends on a three-game losing streak, and their losses in the transfer portal hurt their chances for a bowl win.
Florida Defeats Tulane
Doug Engle, Gainesville Sun/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Even though the score ended up lopsided, the first half of the game was close. Florida punted on their first drive but got the ball back quickly. Tulane’s quarterback, Ty Thompson, threw an interception on their first play. Thompson had not started for the Green Wave all season and did not get off to a good start here. The Gators drove down the field and converted a 34-yard field goal for the game’s first points. They extended the lead to 6-0, and Lagway drove them down the field again, only to throw an interception in the endzone. Both teams made mistakes in the first half with turnovers and missed field goals, but the Gators were ahead.
In the second half, Florida ran away with it. While Tulane punted, threw an interception, and turned it over on downs, the Gators got two field goals and a seven-yard touchdown pass from Lagway to Livingston. The Green Wave could not get anything going on offense. They were shut out for nearly the entire game, scoring a touchdown in its final seconds. The Gators ran up the score, getting a touchdown off a fumble recovery on 4th down and another on a nine-yard run. They even gave their 449-pound lineman, Desmond Watson, a carry at running back. Florida was having fun, winning the Gasparilla Bowl in dominant fashion, 33-8.
Florida’s Season Turnaround
With the victory over Tulane, the Gators finished 8-5. It is the most wins they have had since the 2020 season. The turnaround has shifted many opinions on the state of the program. Florida went from a team many believed should clean house to a competitive squad with a promising future.
Tulane’s Disappointing Finish
While Florida’s season ended on a winning streak, Tulane’s ended on a losing streak. They lost their final regular season game to Memphis, lost the American Athletic Conference Championship to Army, and were dominated in the Gasparilla Bowl. Their starting quarterback, Darian Mensah transferred to Duke, and there were rumors their head coach would leave. John Sumrall agreed to a contract extension with the Green Wave, but they went into this bowl game without their starting quarterback.
The Tulane offense could not move the ball against Florida’s defense, and it ends their season on a three-game skid, finishing 9-5. There was a time where Tulane looked like one of the best non-power four teams in college football, but their season ended with losses and disappointment.
