JACKSONVILLE — Florida proved it could compete against the nation’s best with a new head coach, but the Gators will have to wait to find the right man to beat Georgia .

Interim coach Billy Gonzales stepped in for Billy Napier and nearly led Florida past its longtime SEC rival. But the No. 5 Bulldogs prevailed 24-20 Saturday in Jacksonville.

The Gators (3-5, 2-3 SEC) had their chances to pick up their first win against Georgia since 2020, back when Gonzales coached receivers for Dan Mullen.

As a reported crowd of 76,131 at EverBank Stadium looked on, a near-fumble by quarterback DJ Lagway left UF facing fourth-and-1 from the Bulldogs’ 18 while clinging to a 20-17 lead. Georgia then stuffed tailback Jadan Baugh for no gain to get the ball with 7:54 to go, setting the stage for the

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