In the week leading up to the Charlotte game, reports came out that the effort level at practice wasn’t where it needed to be and that the team leader addressed everyone after a Wednesday practice.
One week later, in the build-up to the Kentucky game, Billy Napier said that things are trending in the right direction.
“So pretty, pretty quality day out there today,” Napier said following Wednesday’s practice, according to Gators Online. “I would say that it’s probably a little better than last week. You know, I do think that when you’re installing on Tuesday and Wednesday, some big bulk of information and material, you’re learning the opponent. Some weeks are easier, simpler than others, if that makes sense, and then some are more challenging.”
Even though Florida beat Charlotte by 15 points on Saturday, no one was particularly impressed with the way the Gators played. Graham Mertz and Ricky Pearsall were solid, but the offense couldn’t figure things out on third down or in the red zone.
That won’t cut it against Kentucky, and it sounds like the players have realized as much.
“I think the players have responded the right way this week,” he said. “We were a little sharper today than yesterday. And that’s what you would expect because you go back and fix some things from Tuesday. And, you know, as we continue to prepare all the way to kick off, we’ll need to be detailing out the plan.”
Napier said that the goal is to limit explosive plays and force a few more turnovers this week against a slow-paced Kentucky offense. It will be a much different game than Florida’s last SEC matchup against Tennessee, but the Gators’ head coach appears far more confident in his team than he did one week ago.
What a change a few good practices can make, huh?
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