Florida State faces Florida in rivalry clash with bowl eligibility on line, but Gators deliver heartbreaking final-second finish that changes everything

Florida State faces a heartbreaking collapse in rivalry showdown as the Gators secure a dramatic 20-17 victory with a last-second field goal. The win keeps Florida from matching its worst season since 1979 while FSU falls short of bowl eligibility in a thrilling final-second conclusion at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Rivalry Intensity Peaks in Season Finale Thriller

Two of college football’s most storied programs met in Week 14 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Florida entered the matchup seeking to avoid its worst season in modern program history. The Gators had struggled all season under interim coach Billy Gonzales following the firing of Billy Napier on October 19.

Florida State needed one more victory to secure bowl eligibility, with the Seminoles sitting at 5-6 heading into the finale against arch-rival Florida.

Dramatic Finish: Smack Delivers Clutch Kick for Gators Victory

Senior kicker Trey Smack turned in the performance of his career when it mattered most.

With the game hanging in the balance, Smack calmly approached the tee and nailed a crucial field goal in the closing seconds. The kick sent the crowd at The Swamp into pandemonium as Florida claimed a 20-17 victory.

The heroic moment gave the Gators their first win in four games under Gonzales, who had gone 0-4 since taking over interim duties. Smack’s performance provided at least one bright spot in what has been a difficult 2025 season.

Quarterback Matchup: Lagway vs. Castellanos in Critical Game

Statistic	DJ Lagway (UF)	Tommy Castellanos (FSU)
Pass Yards (Season)	2,096	2,520
TD Passes (Season)	13	13
Interceptions (Season)	13	8
Overall Record	Sophomore	Senior, Transfer from Boston College

DJ Lagway came into the game as a talented sophomore who has battled inconsistency throughout 2025. Lagway completed 63.3 percent of his passes on the season but failed to provide the consistency Florida hoped for when recruiting him as a top prospect.

Tommy Castellanos transferred to Florida State from Boston College before the season. The senior dual-threat quarterback gave the Seminoles leadership but couldn’t overcome the team’s struggles in the ACC.

Florida’s Historic Struggle: Avoiding the Worst Since 1979

The Gators entered the game sitting at 3-8, staring down their worst season since going 0-10-1 in 1979 under coach Charlie Pell.

That devastating 1979 team remains the worst season in program history for total losses. The Gators finished 0-6 in SEC play that year, placing dead last among ten conference teams.

Florida’s last sub-.500 season came in 2013 when the team finished 4-8. The current squad was on pace to match that record with a win, giving the program hope that the dark days of 1979 would not repeat themselves.

What Does This Result Mean for Both Programs Moving Forward into 2026?

Florida State’s loss to Florida eliminates the Seminoles from postseason play. The 5-7 record means no bowl appearance for FSU, despite needing just one victory to reach the six-win threshold for eligibility.

For the Gators, the 4-8 finish represents some validation that the program can avoid historical lows. Coach Billy Napier’s firing in October will lead to an extensive coaching search this offseason, with candidates like Jon Sumrall, Jedd Fisch, and Jeff Brohm among the top contenders.

“Senior kicker Trey Smack will boot a game-winning field goal in the closing seconds to help Florida avoid its worst season since going 0-10-1 in 1979.”

— Gainesville Sun pregame prediction, Sports Analysts

Sources

• Gainesville Sun – Live updates and final score confirmation for Florida vs Florida State
• ESPN – Detailed statistics and quarterback performance data
• USA Today/Gators Wire – Historical context on Florida football seasons and 1979 record