WATCH: Napier praises Gators for playing with the ‘right intent’ vs. USC

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Behind Florida’s dominant rushing attack and a defensive shutout, the Gators sent their seniors out in style Saturday with a 38-6 win over South Carolina in the 2022 home finale for first-year coach Billy Napier and his staff.

UF finished with its most rushing yards (374) in an SEC game in over a decade — since running for 405 yards vs. Kentucky in 2011. Montrell Johnson led the way with season highs in rushing yards (161) and carries (24). Trevor Etienne logged his first career 100-yard rushing game with an 85-yard touchdown run, and Anthony Richardson accounted for 208 yards (96 rushing) and three total touchdowns.

The Gators pitched their first defensive shutout of the season, with South Carolina scoring on a fake punt pass. Florida’s defense hasn’t allowed any points in the past six quarters and opened the second half by forcing a fumble on three-straight possessions — and recovering all three.

“There’s just a different approach,” Billy Napier said of his team’s play as of late. “I think the guys are playing the game with the right intent, with respect for the game, understanding that this game is not about individuals. If you want to have individual success, you get consumed with what you can do to help the team. You work hard on the role you’ve been given, you prepare a certain way.

“There’s a human element to this game. That’s what makes it a special game. We’ve got hundreds of people here who contribute to that out there — not just the defensive players. There’s lots of people that impact the players’ ability to perform. It goes back to the intangible parts of the team, and that’s ultimately the difference.”

In the video below, Napier gives his opening statement and reacts to the Gators’ defensive performance.

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Billy Napier opening statement

“A handful of things to cover: first of all, I want to thank our fans. I think this is the largest average attendance we’ve had for a home season since 2015. Right around 87,000 on average, and they made an impact tonight. Really, this group of seniors is deserving of that. You can’t have a good football team unless you’ve got some maturity amongst your seniors, some presence, some ownership, some leadership. We’ve got a handful of players in this group in particular that have been difference makers and certainly it’s good that we were able to make a memory for that group, a positive memory for that group.

“I also want to say that this week has been really impactful to our team and staff, saluting those who served. We were intentional with getting people around our players who served in our military and people that are in leadership positions. Sometimes I think those things are out of sight, out of mind; we take those things for granted. So we’re very thankful for those people who participated this week and certainly of all the people across the country who are doing just that.

“Great memory for the seniors. Can’t compliment the staff enough from a leadership enough. And amongst the players, there’s an ownership that’s different. The football is improving because the people are improving. There’s a brotherhood in that room, there’s a connection in that room and they’re starting to play the game with a right intent. Getting consumed with what they can do to help the team. The individuals play better and the result is better. A lot of good out there. Still a handful of plays that are not quite what we’re looking for, but it’s good to start fast, good to get control and keep control for some degree.”