Billy Napier addresses third quarter issues, jokes with reporter on insight into the team

Florida head coach Billy Napier was recently asked about the play of his team in the third quarter of games this season, an area they’ve struggled in their first two matchups. Napier was taken back by the accuracy of the reporter’s question regarding the Gators play coming out of halftime, as he joked and addressed their third quarter play.

“Yeah you’re thinking like me, that’s a good point. It’s something we need to improve, I don’t know that we’ve started as fast in the third quarter maybe as we’ve started in the first quarter,” Napier said. “You sure you don’t have our place bugged here?”

The Gators have been held scoreless in both of the third quarters of their first two games, including being shut out in the second half last week versus Kentucky. Napier spoke more on prepping his team physically and mentally coming out of the tunnel at halftime.

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“We quality control it all and I think that’s certainly a part of it, you’re always are evaluating what that time looks like and if you’ve got the team in the right frame of mind. Are they physically ready, are they mentally in the right place, but it’s certainly something we need to do better,” Napier said.

Napier’s squad may be 1-1 to start the season, but have definitely passed the eye test as they already look improved from a season ago in their first two games against top 25 ranked competition. If the Gators can improve their third quarter play and recent second-half woes, they will definitely have the potential to make some noise in the SEC in Napier’s debut season with the program.

Billy Napier on Tyreak Sapp: He represents everything we want a football player to be

Florida head coach Billy Napier is fresh off of a big win in his Gator coaching debut over a Utah team that entered the game ranked the No. 7 in the country. Napier has another big, early test this week, getting into his SEC schedule quickly as they face No. 20 Kentucky. Napier received some major contributions from his freshmen in week 1, including defensive lineman Tyreak Sapp. Napier was asked about the play of Sapp by the media this week and immediately lit up.

“Don’t you love Sapp? He’s pretty fun to be around right?” Napier smiled and said.

Napier went on to rave about Sapp, and shared what he brings to the table for the Gators as a player and a person.

“Tyreak Sapp is a joy to coach man, I mean every time I see that guy he puts me in a better mood. He’s got great spirit around him, the guy’s a worker, the motor’s always running, he’s always very positive in his approach, and the guy’s never played before, we forget that,” Napier said.

Sapp got in on three tackles in his debut, and he wasn’t the only freshman that made an impact. Freshman linebacker Shemar James finished the game with four tackles of his own, and running back Trevor Etienne made the most of his five carries picking up 64 yards on the ground, breaking tackles seemingly on every touch.

Napier believes freshmen like Sapp shined in their collegiate debuts and will continue to get even better as the season carries on.

“We have a lot of players on our team that that was the first significant playing time they’ve had, he’s on that list. There’s a huge list of those guys, he’s one of the players that I think will make progress as the year goes,” Napier explained.

On the field production is great, but it sounds like off the field Napier has a truly special person and player in Sapp, and someone who will be able to lead the Gators in between the white lines and outside of them moving forward.

“But Tyreak, he represents everything that we want as far as a football player to be, I mean he’s a great student, he’s great in the community, he’s got a positive attitude, he works, he’s a student of the game, and he’s a young player,” Napier said. “He’s got a bright future in front of him,”