Billy Napier takes total ownership for Florida's disappointing loss to Texas A&M

The Florida Gators dropped their first SEC matchup of the season over the weekend at home to Texas A&M. Defeated by the Aggies in a 33-20 loss that drops their record to 1-2 to start the season and continues to put the future of head coach Billy Napier in jeopardy this season.

Napier is in the midst of his third year with a program that has sky high expectations that has hasn’t been able to reach. And on Monday, he took responsibility for the performance of his team over the weekend.

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“Obviously, Saturday was very disappointing and frustrating,” Napier admitted in his press conference. “I think it’s important for everybody to know personally, [I’m] taking total ownership of that. Everything that happens within our team and our organization is my responsibility, so we need to do much better. The film is a combination of mental errors, fundamental and technique issues, and then some decision making.”

The Aggies jumped out to an early 10-0 lead in the first quarter before the game was paused to due a weather delay. But the delay only only slowed down a dominant performance from Texas A&M, who entered the final minute of the third quarter with a 33-7 lead before the Gators would score 14 unanswered points to soften the blow.

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“There’s no doubt that we can help the players and try to put them in better positions at times. And then I think it’s one thing to know, but we also have to go apply, and I think that’s kind of where we’re at from a player perspective. And I think as teachers, we have to take a good look in the mirror of our weekly process,” Napier explained. “And I do think there’s no excuses, there’s no place for blame. I think responsibility, accountability is the only option here.”

Texas A&M was led by redshirt freshman quarterback Marcel Reed, who made his first career start and led the Aggies to a 33-point outing where their offense generated 488 yards. With Florida struggling to slow down the run game and generate their own offense with three costly turnovers.

Rumors and speculation about Florida’s head coach surrounds the program now just three weeks into the college football season. But through it all Napier wants his players to focus on their next opponent, Mississippi State, along with the bigger picture as they face adversity.

“So the most important thing, and I told the players after the game Saturday, is that they stick together. I think their their camaraderie, their relationships as teammates, this will pass, and then they’re going to have these relationships 5, 10, 15, 20, years from now and it’s important that they stick together and they do their part as teammates,” Napier said.

“We can’t control what is said on the outside or done on the outside. We can control what is said within the walls. We show up to work every day in this building, our words, our attitude, our actions, the way we treat people, the way that we interact with each other as teammates, and then the intensity, and the urgency, and the approach to the work is the most important part.”

The Gators hit the road for the first time this season to take on the Bulldogs in Starkville, a game that could very likely play a major role in defining the season and future for the Florida program.