This season has been a bumpy rollercoaster for Florida football and with just three games left in their regular season, the Gators are crawling towards that last game.
Coming off a blowout loss that they’d like to forget about against the Texas Longhorns last Saturday, Florida has a tough task this week as they host the LSU Tigers.
Like the Gators, LSU was blown out last week. The Tigers faced the Alabama Crimson Tide and from the get-go, LSU had no answer for Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe. So expect their defense to tighten up on Saturday against Florida.
There’s still uncertainty at the quarterback position for the Gators, but if DJ Lagway can’t be ready to play on Saturday, it’ll be a long afternoon for Florida.
Head coach Billy Napier spoke to the media on Monday and here are the takeaways from the press conference.
Napier talks about LSU
“I do think LSU, as usual, has a good football team. I think they’re talented. Obviously, they’ve had their ups and downs throughout the season. Coach (Brian) Kelly runs a good program and overhauled the defensive staff, and certainly a veteran quarterback, although a first-time starter has significant experience, has been in the program, been in the system with (Garrett) Nussmeier, really unique kick returner and punt returner, that can be a challenge. And overall, the personnel that you would expect from an LSU team.”
Napier on if this is the most amount of injuries he’s dealt with
“I think we’re just a little more aware of it, because we did an injury report Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 90 minutes before the game, you know. But look, your depth is always going to be challenged, and when you play initially, with our non-conference schedule, we have played a very competitive schedule, so I think we’re more equipped, probably that we have been playing with threes in some spots.
“So that’s ultimately what I would say. Typically, your twos are going to play every position throughout the year.”
The importance of securing players at QB
“Yeah, I know it’s a position we’re going to add players for sure. Process of doing that, and that can be a challenge when you have a really talented young player, right? So I think it’s important. I mean, it’s a big piece of the puzzle. We’ve been grinding away on it for a long time.”
On how essential recruiting is in November
“Yeah, I think what you’re describing, there is definitely a piece of the puzzle here, down the stretch. I think the combination of early signing period and the portal window paired with November football and how competitive and important these games are, that is one of the more challenging things about college football right now, and I think every coach has expressed that publicly.
“So we have extensive meaning. You know, our personnel department is working around the clock. We may have windows of time where we evaluate players every week, just this, just this week, you know. I’ll be up here Wednesday night. I’ll be up here early Friday morning. Those are my two blocks of time each week. So those guys are grinding around the clock.
“And then obviously the coaches as well. And then that gets fun to me. So yeah, two times a week we have blocks for evaluating players and what you’re describing, it becomes even more. You know, there’s just more, whatever you want to call it, rumors or anticipation. I think some of that starts to ramp up in November.”
Lagway’s progress so far
“Well, the good thing is, we worked him (Lagway) out this morning, and we felt good about what we saw, you know. Soft tissue’s a very subjective injury. But we do anticipate him practicing today.”
Napier expected vote of confidence from Scott Stricklin
“You know, in season, man, I’m grinding. I’m trying to get the most out of our players. You know, what I would say about it is, I think that it’s a reflection of our players, and we don’t get it done, we don’t show signs of improvement. And look, let me say this, I am absolutely not satisfied with how we played.
“Now, we’ve done some good things, but I mean, it’s nowhere close to what it’s got to be consistently for us to be a contender, and that’s ultimately what I’m spending my time on. But any belief or hope or confidence in what we can become is due to the players in the way they perform the last five or six weeks, so we need to continue to improve.”
Missed tackles, miscommunication vs Texas
“Yeah, all of those were a little bit of some communication errors, some missed assignments. And then I think just in general, on the perimeter, I think we didn’t tackle, well, we missed tackles inside back, or we missed tackles in the secondary. I thought we played with the wrong leverage communications. So yeah, just in general, just basic fundamentals, tackling, leveraging coverage, and obviously some of those guys are, they’re out there.”
Talks about Nussmeier
“First of all, his (Nussmeier) dad is an incredible football coach, one of the best coaches I’ve ever been around. And just a great human being, great family. I can remember when he was, you know, running around the Alabama facility. So, yeah, great high school player.
“I can remember evaluating him coming out. Just incredibly productive. Just a scrappy coach’s son that has a great feel for the game. So waiting his turn is respectable, in my opinion, and then now, obviously, he’s leading their team and has done a good job in that extent.”
Up next for the Gators
The Gators host the Tigers in college football’s Week 12 on Saturday, Nov. 16. The SEC matchup will kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ABC.
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