The Florida football team experienced an abundance of disappointing moments against the Tennessee Volunteers. The Gators had play calls go bad and questionable penalties in the grandest moments.

Saturday night's contest marked a critical point in Florida's season. While the loss and certain coaching decisions loom in the minds of many Gators fans, one issue reigned more critical: Who would quarterback Florida's squad for its remaining six games?

Florida has faced various questions and speculation about its quarterback play throughout the 2024 season. Sixth-year returning starter Graham Mertz began the season as the Gators' primary quarterback, but following an injury in Florida's opening game, the job behind center became more ambiguous. Highly touted freshman DJ Lagway started against Samford in Week 2, and in each subsequent game, Florida has turned to some combination of both the veteran and the newbie.

After the Tennessee game, Florida's starting quarterback is now unquestionable, but for an unwanted reason.

In the third quarter of UF's 23-17 overtime loss to the Vols, Mertz completed a touchdown pass to redshirt sophomore tight end Arlis Boardingham, giving the Gators an inspiring 10-0 lead. Having completed 11 of his 15 passing attempts against No. 8 Tennessee, Florida's experienced signal caller was performing strongly under the bright lights of Neyland Stadium. Gators fans were cautiously optimistic that their squad could escape with a much-needed victory before entering a challenging second half of the season, including matchups against No. 1 Texas and No. 5 Georgia.

That hope faded as Mertz lay on the ground, grasping his left knee following the pass.

In what was an expected announcement, Florida head coach Billy Napier opened his Monday press conference by explaining that Mertz would be out for the remainder of the season with a torn ACL. While anticipated, the conclusion to Mertz's college football career still rattles throughout the Florida football program.

Senior wide receiver Chimere Dike discussed the veteran quarterback's situation immediately following the game, detailing Mertz's role.

"Our leader, you know," Dike said, "[a] guy who's had a lot of experience and a big part of our team."

Mertz first stepped onto the field for Florida in 2023 after an up-and-down tenure at Wisconsin that featured 26 interceptions over three years. He was immediately productive at UF, finishing 2023 with a 20-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio. While Florida has gotten off to a disappointing start this season, Mertz has been much the same as last year, concluding his final season with a 76.6% completion percentage.

But, as Dike noted, his productivity on the field wasn't his only value to the Gators. Napier reiterated the same message as Dike about the qualities that separated Mertz.

"I appreciate and am thankful for Graham in terms of all he has brought to the table on our team," Napier said Monday. "Not only his production on the field but also his impact on the team as a whole, his leadership, the work ethic, the example, the self-discipline."

With Mertz no longer behind center for the Gators, it will now be Lagway, a Florida fan favorite, directing Florida's offense.

Lagway has had no small share of snaps this season for Florida, providing a spark and filling in for Mertz when previously injured. After stepping in for a couple of drives against Miami, the Willis, Texas, native's first authentic moments as a Gator came against Samford. Lagway rang in one of UF's most impressive freshman performances, finishing the early September contest with 456 passing yards and three touchdowns. Subsequently, Lagway received more playing time, but the freshman experienced growing pains as competition strengthened.

Against Tennessee, Lagway struggled at times with the Vols' vaunted defense bearing down on him. Amidst the difficulties were also bright spots. After a critical interception led to a game-tying field goal by the Vols, it looked like Florida was losing grasp of the contest, but Lagway stepped up, leading a game-tying drive that concluded with a 27-yard touchdown pass to Dike.

Napier said that Lagway's ability to perform under pressure makes him confident in Florida's offense even with the departure of Mertz.

"DJ has this innate ability to rise to the occasion and step up in big moments. I'm confident he'll do that in this situation," Napier said.

Part of what has allowed Lagway to handle the difficulties of the SEC relatively well is attributable to his style of play. While struggling in the pocket, Lagway's mobility and sheer strength allow him to extend plays beyond what a typical freshman can produce. That was specifically noticeable down the stretch against Tennessee, with his final touchdown throw coming while running toward the line of scrimmage.

The talent Lagway brings to Florida's quarterback position, even if unpolished, was something Napier emphasized when discussing the freshman.

"I think obviously explosive arm talent. The ability to escape, extend, the running element," Napier said.

Redshirt senior offensive lineman Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson talked about how Lagway's mobility assists the offensive line, a group that's had trouble at times this year.

"Being an elusive quarterback definitely helps out the offense in any aspect, being able to run and throw the ball well. It's big," Crenshaw-Dickson said.

While Lagway has played this season, his assumption of the starting quarterback position is critical in Florida's season. Sitting at 3-3 halfway through the year, the Gators face a challenging remainder of the fall.

Lagway's first start following Mertz's season-ending injury will come against Kentucky, a team proven to have the ability to hold opposing offenses in check. The Wildcats rank third in the FBS in opponent yards allowed per game and held No. 5 Georgia and No. 19 Ole Miss to a combined 29 points. With a freshman quarterback lining up for his first SEC start across the line of scrimmage, the UK defense will likely look to speed things up and pressure the 19-year-old.

Napier still isn't afraid of Lagway's ability to step onto the field against the threat of a defense like Kentucky's.

"I think he'll be much more prepared having started a game, but also having played in each game this season," Napier said.

Following Florida's homecoming contest this week, Lagway will head into Florida's second bye with four consecutive ranked matchups looming ahead. The freshman will face the best in the nation, leaving The Swamp for consecutive matchups against Top 5 teams.

With Lagway being unexpectedly thrust into the SEC spotlight following Mertz's injury and a slate of games waiting ahead that would challenge any quarterback, Florida has many reasons to wave the white flag. That isn't how Florida's locker room views their situation, though. The Gators remain confident in what the freshman brings to the rapid, challenging transition that is about to occur.

"DJ is obviously a really capable player, and I know the guys believe in him and his work ethic, so I don't think it should be an issue," Dike said.