Michai Boireau rescued Florida from Billy Napier’s plan gone wrong

Everything was in motion for the Florida Gators to suffer yet another soul-crushing loss in the Billy Napier Era. Mississippi State was driving for a game-winning field goal and just needed to not turn the ball over to set up a chance at an upset in The Swamp.

But then Michai Boireau came through with the play of the game, and it saved Florida, even if it shouldn't save Billy Napier.

Michai Boireau saves the day for the Gators

With the ball on the 29 on 2nd and 10, Mississippi State looked for a safe play to get it a few more yards to set up a game-winning field goal. That's when Boireau dropped into a slant window and picked off the first pass of his college career to seal the game for the Gators.

There are plenty of reasons why this moment is subdued for Gator fans, but for Boireau, it is the signature moment of his Gator career.

He arrived in Gainesville as a low-rated three-star as part of the class of 2024. He still found his way onto the field for 144 snaps in 2024, including 23 snaps in the Gasparilla Bowl against Tulane.

This year, with questions about the depth along defensive tackle abound, Boireau took 11 snaps against LIU before taking 39 snaps against USF. An injury knocked him out of the games against LSU and Miami, but he returned against Texas, picking up a sack in the game.

He would then go on to play 37 snaps against Texas A&M, though his Pro Football Focus grade (44.5) was the lowest of any individual game of his career.

But it's that grade that made this moment a significant one for Boireau, and no matter what happens to Napier, it's one that Boireau will always be able to hold onto.