Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier remains optimistic despite the Gators’ recent 34-20 loss to the Georgia Bulldogs. Florida played a more competitive than expected game against Georgia, but the Gators failed to generate much offense after starting quarterback DJ Lagway left the game with a hamstring injury.
“I’m extremely proud of our team,” said Napier “I think throughout this entire year the character of this group has showed up. I think it’s a tough group and I do think that I’m proud of the way think executed in the game today, the effort in which they played, and the pride in which they took in representing Florida and competing.”
After the loss, Florida fell to 4-4 and 2-3 in the SEC games. The Gators face an uphill battle to bowl eligibility. Florida has three consecutive games against ranked opponents after their loss to Georgia. The Gators will have to do it while starting their third-string quarterback.
“Well, first of all, hats off to Aidan Warner,” said Napier on his third-string quarterback. “We’re talking about a guy who didn’t go through spring practice. Really did a lot of two-spot work in training camp. Won the backup job or won the three job at some point in training camp. Then two weeks ago started taking real reps with the second unit.”
Florida struggled to convert third downs against Georgia and went just three of 16. The Gators had a ton of three and outs.
“I thought third down was a challenge today,” said Napier. “But, yeah, just overall the effort, the physicality, fundamentals at the point of attack, I thought we were in position (to win) for sure.”
Georgia and Florida were tied at 20 in the fourth quarter before UGA pulled away with two late touchdowns. Florida’s defense forced three Carson Beck interceptions, which helped keep the Gators in the game.
“It was exactly the way we wanted it to go,” said Napier on Florida’s defensive performance. “We affected the quarterback. We made it sloppy. Made it ugly. We limited the explosive plays. Made them go the distance. Were able to get some takeaways. We obviously need to capitalize on some of those short fields, but hats off to our defensive staff.”
With the loss, Napier moves to 0-3 in his career against Kirby Smart. Napier is certainly on the hot seat and needs to make a bowl game to boost his chances of returning in 2025.
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“He’s (Aidan Warner) done a great job since he start taking reps a couple weeks ago,” said Napier. “For him to do what he did today, you know, I think there is something to be said for that. Look, he’ll continue to get better. You know, think about it now, just a few weeks ago that guy is, you know, standing around eating ice cream.”
I’ve never heard a coach describe a player as ‘standing around eating ice cream’, so that’s an interesting expression to use. It is unfair to Warner to assume he would be ready to play against an elite Georgia defense.
Moving on, Napier likes how his defense has improved this season.
“Embarrassed with how they played in the beginning of the year. I think the open date was huge and I think since then the product continues to get a little better each week,” said Napier on Florida’s defense.
There’s no doubt Florida has improved, but will it be too little, too late for Napier?