Rapid Reaction to the Florida Gators' 24-15 loss to FSU

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida ended the 2023 season on a five-game skid Saturday night, suffering a 24-15 loss to No. 5 FSU in The Swamp. The Gators finish 5-7 overall, marking their first losing record in the regular season since 2017 and their third straight losing season.

They blew a second-half lead for the fourth game in a row and were up in the fourth quarter in three of those losses. UF failed to move the chains in the final 15 minutes, finishing with -15 yards, and couldn’t get off the field defensively, giving up a field goal and touchdown drive.

In the video above, Gators Online shares our rapid reaction to Florida’s loss to FSU.

RELATED: Abolverdi’s Analysis: How the Florida Gators lost to FSU

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Billy Napier opening statement

“Obviously a lot of seniors in there. Out of respect for those guys, just want to make sure to spend some significant time with them. Ultimately, I would tell you it’s important that all parts of our organization, in particular the players, and really emphasize that with our other guys that we spent time telling those guys what they’ve done for the program, their example, their approach. There’s some really special players in that group that have not only been productive on the field. We also had a lot of guys that worked their tail off throughout the week that maybe never get to play. They contribute to our team in a major way. So, yeah, that’s always a tough time. I do want to compliment the crowd tonight. I thought our fans were fantastic. We continue to sell out these games, and certainly not only that, but their impact. I thought they were a factor tonight, and we’re very thankful for that. No doubt it was special in there tonight, over 90,000. We continue to do that, and I think that speaks to the place. This place is impacting a lot of people, and certainly we’re thankful for them showing up tonight doing their part.

I think that, when we look back at the last couple weeks, we had the lead in the fourth quarter multiple times. I think, when you’re coaching a team that has the makeup of this team this year, there’s got to be — we have to use this experience. There’s a ton of players in that locker room that are going to be back next year. Look, we haven’t been able to finish. That’s the bottom line. I think we’re learning how to do that. We’ve been in position to do that. But ultimately I think, as we build a team that’s made up of veterans, it’s going to be important that we at some point — you know, the old adage you fall down seven times, eventually the eighth time you get up and finally get it done. I think at some point this group, the experience they got this year will pay off.

They get to go into this off-season with that experience, and that affects their entire attitude and approach to training, to practice. Certainly, as you build another team dynamic, I’m hopeful that this group learns how to finish. Once we do that, I think there will be a ton of momentum opportunities that come with that. I’m thankful for this team. Regardless of what anybody else says, this team was a special team for a lot of reasons. Their ability to continue the resiliency, the toughness — and I’m not just talking about physical toughness. This game requires mental toughness, emotional toughness. It requires work. It requires investment. It requires sacrifice.

I think this group has continued to show up with a really good attitude and do their part to prepare, and then when the ball’s put down, they play with effort, toughness. We need to play with better detail. We need to execute better, there’s no question about that. But I respect this group, and there’s a lot of individuals in that locker room that are made of the right stuff. I don’t want to lose sight of that just because our record this year.

Ultimately, we’ve got to get up off the ground, and I think we have to learn from failure. Growth comes through struggle. I think this season presents that opportunity. Look, we have work to do. Ultimately as a staff, we have to evaluate where we’re at from top to bottom, every inch of what we do, and we have to work hard to try to position the players and do better. I think that’s what I’m consumed with. That’s my purpose, and that’s the way I view my platform opportunity.

The coaching profession is about the players and doing the absolute best job we can do for the players to position them for success. Certainly football, that is on the field, but it’s also everything that you do throughout the off-season and certainly how we can impact who they are as people and as students. We’ll have an opportunity here. Players will be off tomorrow. Then we’ll begin kind of a process Monday to Thursday as we kind of turn the page and move forward here.”