Florida football walked into Jacksonville with questions swirling and a new voice leading the way.

In the Gators’ first game under interim head coach Billy Gonzales, Florida came out swinging. They showed a sort of looseness and urgency that had been missing during the final weeks of the Billy Napier era.

But despite flashes of progress and plenty of fight, the Florida Gators couldn’t finish the job. Costly decisions, a few missed chances and another controversial call in a critical moment left Florida just short once again.

Still, when the clock hit zero, the scoreboard read Georgia 24, Florida 20 — a fifth straight loss in the rivalry that felt like it could’ve gone the other way.

Here are three takeaways from Florida’s loss to the Georgia Bulldogs.

Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!Billy Gonzales’ aggressive mindset had highs and one big low

Gonzales’ influence was clear from the start. The Gators played with tempo and energy, moving the ball early behind running back Jadan Baugh, who continued to be a bright spot.

But late in the game, one moment stood out, and not for the right reasons. Facing a crucial 4th-down in Georgia territory with a 20-17 lead, the Gators kept the ball in Baugh’s hands on an inside run that was swallowed up almost immediately. The decision to go for it made sense; the play call, not so much.

It was aggressive but Georgia was ready for it. It’ll be one of those moments second-guessed long after the clock hit zero.

The call that changed everything

With Florida trailing 24-20 midway through the second half, DJ Lagway dropped back on third down and saw J. Michael Sturdivant wide open downfield. The sophomore quarterback launched a deep ball that seemed destined to swing the game.

Sturdivant dove, stretched out and appeared to cradle it just above the turf — but officials immediately ruled it incomplete. The play went to review, yet the call stood.

That moment flipped everything. Instead of a potential go-ahead drive, Florida turned it over on downs to seal their fate.

Whether it was truly incomplete or not, it was a sequence that left the Gators wondering what could’ve been.

Tre Wilson finally looked like the player Florida fans expected

For the first time all season, Tre Wilson III looked like that guy again. Coming into the Georgia game, Wilson had been quiet — just 118 yards and two touchdowns through seven games — a surprising drop-off for someone who flashed star potential as a freshman.

But on Saturday, he finally came alive, posting nine catches for 121 yards and a touchdown. He looked confident, explosive and engaged.

Wilson’s resurgence became even more crucial after freshman Dallas Wilson left the game with a leg injury and didn’t return. Without him, the Gators leaned heavily on Wilson and Baugh, who combined for over 260 all-purpose yards.

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