Locked in a tight battle with the Tennessee Volunteers, Florida Gators fans watched as QB Graham Mertz suffered an apparent injury midway through the third quarter in Knoxville. Though the injury happened following a touchdown pass that pushed the Gators’ lead to 10-0, all focus shifted to Mertz as he hobbled to the sidelines.
What Happened To Graham Mertz?
It was confirmed two days after their meeting with the Volunteers that Mertz suffered a torn ACL and would miss the remainder of the 2024 season in Gainesville. The play where Mertz injured himself came on what could only be considered a fluke.
Drifting away to his left from pressure, Mertz unleashed a pass for a touchdown, but upon planting his right leg down, it appeared to buckle.
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Mertz went to the ground quickly before hobbling off to the sidelines.
Graham Mertz throws the TD pass, but immediately grabs his leg in pain, was visibly upset hobbling to sideline
That’s not good pic.twitter.com/TAcRZge9PP
— Trey Wallace (@TreyWallace_) October 13, 2024
The Gators ultimately lost the game to the Vols, and afterward, initial tests and word from head coach Billy Napier didn’t seem promising for Mertz. Those fears were confirmed on Monday following the game when it was announced that Mertz did indeed suffer a season-ending injury.
The Gators are no strangers to injuries to Mertz as he was diagnosed with a concussion following Florida’s Week 1 loss against Miami.
Billy Napier on Graham Mertz’s injury: “Graham had a concussion. He will be in protocol, and I will give an update when we meet next Monday.”
— Jack Meyer (@jackmeyerUF) August 31, 2024
Freshman DJ Lagway replaced Mertz in Week 2 against Samford before he returned to the lineup for the start against Texas A&M in Week 3. However, Lagway played the majority of the snaps after Mertz was ineffective.
Mertz had started every game since his return. However, the Gators have kept both quarterbacks in a rotation, with Lagway even playing the first series of the second half, the series just before Mertz led the Gators to a touchdown.
The reins of the program will officially be turned over to true freshman Lagway in Mertz’s absence. In six appearances this season, Lagway has thrown for 765 yards and five touchdowns against four interceptions.
Of those 765 yards, 456 of them came against Samford as Lagway has seemingly had trouble completing passes on a consistent basis against Power Four competition.
Florida’s season hangs in the balance they finish the year with one of the toughest schedules in the country, if not the toughest. With road games at Texas and Florida State compounded by home games against Georgia, LSU, and Ole Miss, Gator fans will watch closely as Lagway grows in front of their eyes or suffers defeat in all but perhaps one game in which they should be underdogs in.
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