Florida quarterback Graham Mertz put his body on the line Saturday and paid the price against Missouri.
Mertz made several big plays for Florida against the No. 9-ranked Missouri squad at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Mo.
Perhaps the most impressive of Mertz’s moments Saturday came late in the third quarter. The Gators were down 23-21 and were facing 3rd-and-5 at their own 30. Mertz ran for an 11-yard gain after breaking through several tackles.
GRAHAM MERTZ. THAT’S OUR QB.
TAKE MY SHOULDER GRAHAM 🙏 pic.twitter.com/Z2jM0We1Ce
— Old Row Florida (@OldRowGators) November 19, 2023
However, the play resulted in Mertz hurting himself. He was forced to exit the field to get X-rays taken. He was later shown on the ESPN broadcast in an arm sling and did not return to the field. Billy Napier said after the game that Mertz had suffered a broken collarbone in the game.
BREAKING: Graham Mertz suffered a non-displaced fracture to his collarbone in the third quarter of Florida's loss at Missouri, according to UF head coach Billy Napier:https://t.co/uBgAJZgxW8 pic.twitter.com/8SOCiT2HU7
— Graham Hall (@GrahamHall) November 19, 2023
Mertz went 14/21 for 183 yards with 2 touchdowns and 1 interception.
Florida ended up losing 33-31 thanks to a last-second field go from Mizzou kicker Harrison Mevis.
The Florida State-Florida rivalry game may feature two backup QBs after Florida State star Jordan Travis suffered a gruesome injury in the Seminoles’ win over North Alabama.
