The Florida Gators are mostly to blame for the collapse against Georgia

New coach, but same result for Florida football in a Week 10 matchup with No. 5 Georgia. The Gators played well enough to pull off the upset, but couldn’t close the deal. They fell, 24–20, to their old rivals in front of 76,131 fans at Everbank Stadium. In their first game under interim head coach Billy Gonzalez, the Gators looked poised to finally flip the script. They took a 20–17 lead with 14:52 left in the fourth quarter on Trey Smack’s 54-yard field goal. Georgia, however, responded with a 7-play, 82-yard touchdown drive, capped by a 36-yard run by Chauncey Bowens, to take the lead for good.

A famous broken heart

From there, Florida’s offense failed to score. The Bulldog defense stifled any hope of a comeback. Despite leading most of the contest, the Gators crumbled in the final minutes. They were undone by aggressive coaching gambles, an offense that couldn’t finish drives and a defense that went unanswered when it mattered most.

Here we take a look at and discuss the Florida Gators who are the most guilty for a 4th quarter collapse against Georgia.

Billy Gonzalez’s bold calls are falling flat

When Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin gave Billy Gonzalez the interim job, the move was supposed to generate energy and urgency. Most of Saturday it was. The Gators looked organized, balanced and motivated. However, in a time of crisis, Gonzalez’s bold approach backfired spectacularly.

The first significant decision came early in the fourth quarter, with Florida clinging to a slim lead. Facing fourth and 1 at Georgia footballAt the 18-yard line, Gonzalez kept the offense on the field rather than take an easy three-pointer that could have extended the lead to six. It was a high-risk, high-reward moment that can define a coach. This one defined Gonzalez for the wrong reasons. Jadan Baugh was tackled for no gain by Georgia linebacker Smael Mondon Jr. That gave the Bulldogs possession and momentum.

The second gamble was even more unlucky. They trailed 24–20 with just over three minutes remaining, but the Gators faced fourth-and-4 from their own 30-yard line. Again, Gonzalez chose aggression over field position. Unfortunately, it failed again. Quarterback DJ Laguay’s quick pass to Eugene ‘Tre’ Wilson III is broken up. Georgia took over the football, which ran out of time to secure the win.

Gonzalez defended his choices after the game.

“We played to win, not to survive,” he said.

Those decisions, however, have fans questioning whether confidence has turned to recklessness.

Offensive execution falters at the worst moments

Even after gambling on fourth down, Florida’s offense just couldn’t finish drives. The Gators outplayed Georgia for most of the night and controlled time of possession early. However, they came away with only 20 points.

Lagway showed promise throughout the game. He completed 15 of 24 passes for 166 yards and a touchdown with no picks. In decisive moments, however, the sophomore looked human. On one potential game-winning drive late in the fourth quarter, Lagway threw JMichael Sturdivant on a deep route that could have turned the lead. Instead, it fell incomplete.

Third-down efficiency was another glaring issue. Florida went just 2 of 11 on third down attempts. That repeatedly stopped drives that could have buried Georgia early. Too often, the Gators found themselves in third-and-long situations after failing on first and second downs. This forced Lagway to throw in tight windows against one of the best secondaries in the country.

Then came the disappointing execution in the red zone. Two drives inside Georgia’s 20 in the second half yielded just three points. Among them is the failed fourth i-1, which turned out to be crucial. That inability to finish is a reflection of Florida’s broader struggles under Napier earlier this season.

Gonzalez’s offense looked sharp in spurts. However, a lack of composure in key sequences defined the night.

The defense falters when it matters most

Yes, the defense was not the main culprit in the loss. That said, he also failed to deliver when the Gators needed a stop the most. Three quarters of the unit played inspired football. They even limited Georgia football to just 17 points and contained quarterback Gunner Stockton and his offense.

However, after a slump in the early fourth quarter, it all unraveled. On the very next drive, Georgia marched 82 yards in seven plays. Chauncey Bowens ran through the Gators’ front for a decisive 36-yard run. Misses and bad chasing angles turned what should have been a manageable gain into a game-clinching score.

It was a microcosm of the defense’s broader inconsistency this season. Injuries didn’t help either, especially on the defensive line and in the secondary.

He called Florida football an aggressive defensive game. They often featured blitzes and mixed plays. However, fatigue and short fields created by offensive mistakes eventually caught up.

Missed chances define a frustrating season

Florida’s loss to Georgia was the latest chapter in a season defined by missed opportunities. The Gators have shown flashes of potential, but continue to fall apart in late-game situations.

Gonzalez’s first game as interim coach brought energy and hope. However, he also revealed the same flaws that doomed his predecessor. Florida football fans saw questionable decision-making, poor situational execution and a lack of a killer instinct.

At 3–5, Florida’s hopes are fading fast. More importantly, the Gators’ inability to close out winnable games raises deeper questions about the direction of the program. Saturday night proved they can compete with elite SEC teams. However, until they learn how to finish, they will remain on the outside looking in.