Billy Napier believes Florida is on the right track despite record
Florida was down to its third quarterback and still managed to give Georgia all it can handle during its Week 10 loss to the Bulldogs.
The Gators are one win away from surpassing its expected win total for the 2024 season and two from becoming bowl eligible. With four games left in Florida’s regular season, head coach Billy Napier explained why he believes his team is still trending upward.
“We all want things faster, right? I mean, I think we all — I think life and football is no different,” Napier told reporters on Monday. “It tests our patience, but I do think given the dynamic — I just like this team I would say. I like what I have observed from this team since the first open date.
“Obviously we were very disappointed in how we started the year, but I think just a group of players — I have a ton of respect for the group of players. The body of work since the open date I think as a whole I’ve been pleased with that, and I think the mindset, the competitive spirit, the improvement, the football improvement, I think the tape speaks for itself.”
Another positive for the Gators is that the hamstring injury to star freshman DJ Lagway doesn’t appear to be as serious as orgininally predicted. He’s questionable for the Texas game, but Napier wouldn’t rule his starting quarterback out for Week 11 as of Monday’s media scrum.
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Still, without him in the game then Florida offense would stall in the second half and the Bulldogs would go on to claim a 34-20 victory. Still, the Gators defense forced Georgia’s Carson Beck into throwing three interceptions. Napier’s unit has forced three interceptions in back-to-back weeks now after baiting Kentucky into the same turnover total in the previous week.
Whether they can do the same against Texas on the road remains to be seen, but has the potential to be the signature win Billy Napier and company have been looking for in 2024.
Kickoff between the Gators and Longhorns is set for Noon ET on Saturday, live on ABC and the SEC Network.