Billy Napier’s Florida Gators are all talk and no chomp.
On Saturday, the program showed how little progress it’s made under the fourth-year head coach in a stunning 18-16 home loss to South Florida.
The Gators were undisciplined and sloppy, committing 11 penalties for 103 yards, while quarterback DJ Lagway through a third-quarter interception to end a promising drive.
Associated Press No. 13 Florida (1-1) had two touchdowns taken off the board on its second possession, the first after lineman Kamryn Waites was flagged for holding on a 20-yard Ja’Kobi Jackson touchdown run. Three plays later, an offensive pass interference call nullified Lagway’s 14-yard touchdown pass to wideout Tony Livingston. Florida settled for a field goal.
Later, as South Florida drove deep into Gators territory for the winning field goal, Napier inexplicably held on to his two remaining timeouts until 22 seconds were remaining.
What’s next for the Florida Gators
For a team like Florida, which has the country’s toughest schedule, per ESPN’s Football Power Index, the defeat is a troubling sign for its immediate future.
Florida’s next four games are against No. 3 LSU (1-0), No. 5 Miami (1-0), No. 7 Texas (1-1) and No. 19 Texas A&M. It also plays No. 4 Georgia on Nov. 1, followed by games against No. 20 Ole Miss (2-0), No. 22 Tennessee (2-0) and No. 14 Florida State (2-0).
Based on the Gators’ Week 2 performance, they’ll be lucky to leave 2025 with five wins.
Same old Gators
Florida has largely struggled since winning its last national championship in 2008, posting more losing seasons (five) than ones with 10 wins (four).
This year was supposed to be different. At least based on what Napier told reporters during SEC media days in July.
“We got a change to have a really, really good football team that can put the ball down and play with any team in the country,” Napier said. “I’m confident that our best is good enough to get it done, and I think this is a special group.” (h/t SEC)
In an interview with ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Napier noted the team’s camaraderie, saying, “We don’t have a lot of riffraff. We don’t have a lot of distractions.”
Despite the chatter, Florida could be in store for another long year, possibly its third losing season in four under Napier.
Saturday’s lackluster effort was a major disappointment considering the team’s preseason expectations. Instead of taking another positive step after 2024’s 8-5 finish, the Gators may once again be headed in the wrong direction.
