Laura Rutledge has been following Florida's March Madness run closely. The former beauty queen is one of ESPN's top NFL reporters, but Rutledge has made sure that she is able to pay close attention to her alma mater's quest for a national championship this season.
Rutledge admitted that the Gators' 77-75 win over two-time defending champions UConn on Sunday left her stressed out, but she was delighted by the fact that Florida was able to book their place in the Sweet 16.
The No. 1 seed Gators were back in action on Thursday night, and they made sure to keep their run going after taking down No. 4 Maryland, 87-71.
Big Ten Rookie of the Year Derik Queen did all he could for the Terrapins, dropping a game-high 27 points on 8-of-17 shooting. It was not enough, though, as Alijah Martin (points, seven rebounds), Will Richard (15 points, three triples) and Walter Clayton Jr. (13 points, four assists) led the Gators to a Sweet 16 victory.
Florida quickly reacted to the win on social media, posting an emphatic two-word message shortly after the final buzzer: "IT'S GREAT"
Rutledge caught wind of the victory post, and she decided to jump on the bandwagon with her own four-word message.
"Oh yes it is " she wrote.
Oh yes it is https://t.co/ma6xpSGah6
— Laura Rutledge (@LauraRutledge) March 28, 2025
Rutledge, a former Miss Florida pageant winner, earned her degree in journalism from the University of Florida. It has been quite some time since her college days at Gainsville, but it is clear that he loyalty to her alma mater remains true.
Thursday's victory now has the Gators just three wins away from a national championship. Up next for them is a clash against either Arkansas or Texas Tech in the Elite Eight.
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This story was originally published March 27, 2025 at 10:21 PM.