The opening game of the post-Napier era ended with a loss, but the Florida Gators put up a valiant effort against their longtime rivals, the Georgia Bulldogs, on Saturday. Nonetheless, the Dawgs won their fifth-straight game of the series with a 24-20 victory in Jacksonville.

For a moment there, it looked like the Orange and Blue had a legitimate chance to challenge one of the national heavyweights, taking a tie score into the fourth quarter. Unfortunately, a bruised-up Gators squad did not have enough to support a shaky DJ Lagway down the stretch and ultimately succumbed to their fiercest foe.

It was a tough loss to stomach, but the Gators Wire staff still offers its instant reactions from the game in good, bad and ugly format. Take a look below at how we feel about the events that transpired.

David Rosenberg

GOOD: Jadan Baugh helped keep Florida’s offense in it, converting short-yardage runs and keeping drives going in the second half. A 72-yard performance is far from his best, but doing it on 15 carries is solid. The defense also played well, forcing a punt or turnover in six consecutive drives in the first half. The Bowens run is going to lose them a letter grade, but you have to love the effort under Billy G.

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BAD: Those last two offensive drives left a lot to be desired, both from the coaches and players. Gonzales went for it on fourth, which is a reasonable call to make, but why did he have Baugh go up the guy when everyone knew it was coming?

Georgia closed the game out by doing the exact opposite — Gunner Stockton took it out wide and kneeled instead of scoring. Maybe it didn’t change the outcome of the game, but who knows how things would’ve went with Florida leading 23-17 in the fourth.

UGLY: The Lagway throw to Sturdivant can’t happen. He was wide open, and even with pressure, a former five-star quarterback has to make that throw. It’s been a disappointing year for the sophomore signal caller. He won’t forget that moment for a long time. Oh, what could have been…

Aidan Gallardo

GOOD: Tre Wilson shone

When Tre Wilson III got the ball, Florida’s offense looked alive. The wideout was electric from the opening drive, finishing with nine catches for 121 yards and a touchdown that set the tone early. Even after Dallas Wilson went down with an injury before halftime, Wilson kept Florida’s passing game afloat. He worked every level of the field and showed fight on offense.

But like I mentioned before, Wilson got hurt before halftime and that was very unfortunate news for the Gators.

BAD: Dallas Wilson’s injury

Wilson exited late in the first half with a leg injury and never returned. Without Wilson, the Gators lost one of their biggest playmakers on offense. There’s no sugarcoating it — losing Wilson hurt. He’s a freshman, but his impact on Florida’s balance and tempo has been undeniable. The Gators will hope it’s nothing long-term, because this offense really needs a playmaker like him.

UGLY: The Sturdivant call that flipped the game

With Florida trailing 24-20 and time running out, DJ Lagway launched one deep to J. Michael Sturdivant, who dove and appeared to cradle the ball just above the turf. The officials immediately ruled it incomplete and that quick whistle gave them cover when the play went to review. After a replay review, the call stood.

The decision effectively ended Florida’s comeback bid, and it’s hard not to feel like the Gators got the short end once again in this rivalry. It wasn’t definitive, but it was close enough to sting.

Adam Dubbin

GOOD: An unranked team led by an interim head coach traded punches with a top-five-ranked powerhouse and kept the game wide open until the final minutes of the fourth quarter.

You cannot ask more from Billy Gonzales and the overall effort from Florida was admirable. It just was not enough to outlast a much more galvanized program.

Obviously, I yearn for these wins every season, but alas, my alma mater is unable to fulfill my requests. But given the lopsided appearance on paper, it was an entertaining matchup.

BAD: Lagway looked good at the start of the game but he seemingly came unraveled, punctuated by his near fumble. He did not throw any interceptions but he was not able to make critical plays and seemed to lack touch on many of his throws.

I remain a believer in him, but he was not able to handle Georgia’s ferocious defense. Yeah, that is a lot of “buts”.

UGLY: Losing to Georgia always sucks — there is simply no other way to say it. I had predicted a win for Florida, 27-24; the Gators simply could not get that final TD.

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