Florida football has struggled away from Ben Hill Griffin Stadium during head coach Billy Napier’s one-plus year tenure, amassing a paltry 1-7 record in true road games since assuming the reins.
Most recently, the Gators were easily handled by the Kentucky Wildcats in Lexington two games ago, which was a polar opposite performance from what was seen in the Swamp in the win over the Tennessee Volunteers. Additionally, the Orange and Blue came out flat in Salt Lake City against the Utah Utes to open the season.
So what gives?
A recent Associated Press report took a look into the issue and it appears that a greater emphasis is being put on sleep as the Gators face a tough road schedule ahead. But it is not all about just getting eight hours of quality slumber — that is just one component of the whole plan.
“Most of it is mental,” Napier said. “We talked about mentally being prepared, physically being prepared but also emotionally being prepared. You’ve got to anticipate and visualize what it’s going to be like, that it will be challenging.
“There will be ups and downs in the game. Our dialogue during the week [has been] about being prepared to respond,” he continued. “We’ve got to know and apply the things that we’ve learned in the past.”
The coaching staff is not the only one who has noticed the difficulties the team has faced. Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall also weighed in on the Gators’ struggles.
“All the guys are well aware that we haven’t played our best ball on the road,” Pearsall noted. “So just continuing to emphasize that throughout the locker room, and we’ve got to highlight that each and every day.”
Defensive back Jaydon Hill also chimed in.
“I feel like it’s not as big as we’re making it seem as far as what needs to be fixed,” Hill offered. “It comes down to us just executing and having the same passion and joy that we play with in the Swamp and taking it on the road and not coming out flat, coming out swinging instead of taking the hits. And I feel like that’s probably the biggest thing.
“It’s a lot easier said than done, but we’ve got to do it.”
All things considered, it really does come down to execution as Hill said.
“Bottom line is when the ball’s spotted and we kick it off, we’ve got to be ready to mix it up,” Napier said. “And if you’ve done a good job preparing all week, you’re mentally prepared, you can communicate at a high level, you can play fast, you can anticipate.
“And then physically you’ve got to have a sharp sword. You’ve got to be ready to go. That axe can’t be dull.”
Next up for Florida is a trip to Columbia, South Carolina, to face Spencer Rattler and the Gamecocks on Saturday, Oct. 14, inside William-Brice Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 3:30 p.m. EDT and the game can be watched on the SEC Network.
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