UF QB Mertz leaves loss with lower leg injury

• Chris Low, ESPN Senior Citizen WriterOct 13, 2024, 01:19 AM ET

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  • College football reporter
  • Joined ESPN.com in 2007
  • Graduate of the University of Tennessee

KNOXVILLE, Tenn.– Florida quarterback Graham Mertz suffered an injury to his lower left leg Saturday night in the third quarter of the Gators’ 23-17 overtime loss to Tennessee and was unable to return to the game.Florida coach

Billy Napier stated Mertz would undergo additional tests to identify the intensity of the injury and his status for the remainder of the season. A redshirt senior, Mertz missed out on the 45-7 Week 2 win over Samford with a concussion, but returned as the Gators’ starter the last 4 games.Mertz was hurt

after throwing a 13-yard touchdown pass to Arlis Boardingham at the 7:18 mark of the third quarter to provide Florida a 10-0 lead. It was a non-contact injury as Mertz appeared to land awkwardly after launching the pass. He backed up and right away grabbed his leg before limping off to the sideline.After going to the injury camping tent, Mertz watched the fourth quarter

on crutches with a brace on his left knee. Freshman DJ Lagway, who had been rotating in some at quarterback, replaced Mertz and threw an interception on his very first effort after returning into the game, causing a game-tying field goal by Tennessee with 1:37 to play in the third quarter.” Certainly, Graham played incredible in the game. I thought he played lights out,”Napier stated.”He actually prepared well and concerned play. He does have an injury, a lower-body injury. … It was substantial enough that he couldn’t complete the game.” The Gators likewise played much of the 2nd half without their leading running back. Montrell Johnson suffered a lower-body injury on the very same drive Mertz tossed the touchdown pass after rushing for 85 lawns on 12 carries. Freshman Jadan Baugh changed Johnson.Florida had the ball inside the Tennessee 20-yard line four times in the first half, but handled just a single field

objective and led 3-0 at the half. The Vols, who have yet to give up more than 19 points in all 6 of their games this season, won for just the third time in the last 20 meetings in between the schools. It’s the first time because 1990 and 1992 that Tennessee has won back-to-back games over Florida in Knoxville. The Vols won 38-33 in 2022.”I believe that we played extremely hard, played with passion, all 3 parts of our group,”Napier stated.

“Definitely the tale of the tape is the missed opportunities in the first half on offense. We had many chances to score points and left a lots of mention there.”