Florida football WR Eugene Wilson III a bright spot in Gators' loss to Georgia
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JACKSONVILLE – Fans will likely forget Florida football wide receiver Eugene Wilson III’s performance in this year’s rivalry game against Georgia.
Despite UF’s season continuing to spiral and the wide receiver corps being bitten by the injury bug, Wilson put together a career night that kept the Gators alive in the 24-20 loss to the Bulldogs on Saturday, Nov. 1.
Wilson’s spark to the Gators’ offense played a key role in three of Florida’s scoring drives. His nine catches for 121 yards were 20 yards shy of tying his career high, but are the most against an FBS team.
“He’s going to be rewarded based on how hard you work,” Florida football interim coach Billy Gonzales said. “A couple of weeks ago, he wasn’t as active as far as being able to get the ball, but he busted his butt in the blocking game.
In two of UF’s last three games, Wilson had not recorded a catch, but according to Gonzales, Wilson’s big night was a result of productive practices.
Florida’s offense was without its leading receiver, Vernell Brown III, missing due to an AC shoulder sprain, along with veteran Aidan Mizell. To make matters worse, former five-star prospect and true freshman wide receiver Dallas Wilson exited the Georgia matchup towards the end of the first half and was sidelined once again with a boot on his right foot.
“He stepped up,” Gonzales said. “I’m looking at some of the numbers. He had nine catches for 121 yards. He did a great job. He’s got big play-making ability.”
Wilson’s highlight play of the day was when Lagway found him wide open for a 40-yard touchdown in the first quarter that tied the game. Later in the quarter, he came down with a 28-yard catch that led to a 22-yard field goal to give Florida a 10-7 lead.
“He’s a baller,” said Lagway, who was 15 of 24 and threw for 166 yards. “I already knew this. It’s always great to get the ball in his hands and let him do his thing. He had a great night. I’m proud of him.
“It’s always hard not to have those athletes out there with you on the field. A lot of guys stepped up tonight.”
Wilson also contributed a 20-yard catch that helped set up a 54-yard field goal and put UF ahead at 20-17 in the fourth quarter.
“It was something we kind of saw throughout practice,” Gonzales said. “He did a great job in practice. Everything that he did today, he made in practice. That’s kind of the expectation, to be able to make the plays you’re doing consistently in practice.”
Reach Florida Gators writer Andrew Abadie at aabadie@gannett.com or on X (formerly Twitter) at @AndrewAbadie. You can also find him on Facebook at Andrew Abadie Sports Reporter or on Instagram @andrewabadie_sports.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Florida WR Eugene Wilson III was a bright spot in Gators loss to Georgia
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