Gators head coach Billy Napier won his first game at UF and seeks for a second consecutive win over a ranked opponent when No. 20 Kentucky visits The Swamp on Saturday night. (Photo: Courtney Culbreath/UAA Communications)
Napier Seeks Improvement as SEC Opener Looms
Monday, September 5, 2022 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A week after entering their home opener as the underdog for the first time in 44 years, the Gators are sure to enter the national polls on Tuesday after knocking off No. 7-ranked Utah.
That is a step in the direction head coach Billy Napier envisions for the program. But as that famous talking head Lee Corso might say, "Not so fast, my friend."
Napier said as much Monday in the wake of his inaugural victory as Florida's coach.
"The film is sloppy, just so we're all on the same page,'' Napier said. "I know we're ready to put the crown on the Gators, but the Gators got a lot of work to do to play at our expectation and our standard."
Napier had no interest in getting into the gritty details — Florida hosts No. 20 Kentucky on Saturday night — but the usual suspects stare back if you glance at the final game book.
Utah amassed 25 first downs, rushed for 230 yards, and rolled up 446 yards. The Utes also converted 8 of 13 on third down and won the points-off-turnover battle. Offensively, the Gators held their own (451 yards, 283 rushing) behind an excellent performance from quarterback Anthony Richardson (168 yards passing, 106 rushing, 3 TD), and defensively came up with the game's biggest play on linebacker Amari Burney's game-clinching interception in the end zone in the final seconds.
Still, they could have been better. The Gators failed to record a sack and did not force a turnover until Burney picked off Utah quarterback Cameron Rising to seal the victory. Running back Montrell Johnson Jr.'s fumble led to Utah's first score after the Gators had zipped deep into Utes' territory on the game's opening drive.
Napier and his staff took note after watching the film.
"I just want to see more precision, more detail in how we play across the board,'' he said. "The good thing that I observed is the chemistry and morale of the team. We stuck together — ups, downs, we responded. I think that's probably the compliment I would give the team. They played hard in the game. Like anybody that watched that film or watched that game on TV would say, 'hey, the Gators played hard, man. They competed. That's what I'm proud of."
Whatever Napier's final breakdown of the film from Florida's win over Utah is, it's likely more pleasant than anything he has seen from Florida's game against Kentucky last season. Ranked No. 10 at the time, the Gators suffered a 20-13 loss at Kentucky, their second in the last four meetings against the Wildcats.
The Gators tripped over their feet most of the game, committing 15 penalties in their first loss in Lexington since 1986. The loss prompted Kentucky fans to rush the field in celebratory fashion, a memory the Gators were reminded of Monday.
"Yeah, of course, you take that personally. But you've got to understand, you've got to guide that motivation and those emotions in the right direction,'' said redshirt freshman defensive lineman Tyreak Sapp, who made his collegiate debut against Utah by chipping in three tackles. "You can't be all over the place. You've got to have those things in the right spot. Because if you don't, you're gonna go out there, and you're gonna play everywhere. Even though your intensity is high, it doesn't matter. You have to guide that energy in the right direction."
The Wildcats opened the season with a 37-13 win over Miami (Ohio), led by quarterback Will Levis, who was 21 of 32 for 303 yards and three touchdowns. In his 10th season, Kentucky coach Mark Stoops has led the Wildcats to six consecutive bowl appearances. Kentucky opened the season ranked in the AP Top 25 for the first time since 1978.
While Levis is back, the Wildcats opened with several players suspended, including leading rusher Chris Rodriguez Jr., who rushed 19 times for 99 yards and the go-ahead score in last year's victory over the Gators. Rodriguez remains off the depth chart, and Stoops announced Monday that Ramon Jefferson, one of the players filling in for Rodriguez, is out with an injury.
Meanwhile, Florida's running game produced nicely in Napier's debut as Johnson rushed for 75 yards, freshman Trevor Etienne, 64, and Nay'Quan Wright, 39. Johnson added a 14-yard scoring run early in the fourth quarter that put the Gators in front in a seesaw final period.
Johnson echoed his coach's sentiments about playing better in the SEC opener.
"Mindset is just keep building on good days,'' Johnson said. "Keep getting better each and every day, and it's all going to come together at the end."
The same will be true for Richardson, who sparkled in his first career home start. Richardson's performance catapulted his name into the early season Heisman Trophy conversation. It showcased his raw talent, none more than on his pump-fake-spin move on a two-point conversion pass.
"I seen it at least 20 times on Twitter and all the types of social media,'' Johnson said. "In the game, I actually thought Anthony got sacked right there, and I'm like, what? It was just crazy."
Much like his thoughts on the team, Napier has reminded everyone of Richardson's inexperience and small sample size to conclude from. The final product is yet to be determined.
Still, there is no denying Richardson and the Gators delivered in a big way in Napier's debut.
"Anthony's going to stay humble,'' Napier said following Saturday's win. "He's going to continue to improve, and I'm certainly glad that we've got him.
"This group's got fight in it. I don't think I've said that publicly. One thing about our team that I respect is they compete."
Next up: competing in the SEC.
That is a step in the direction head coach Billy Napier envisions for the program. But as that famous talking head Lee Corso might say, "Not so fast, my friend."
Napier said as much Monday in the wake of his inaugural victory as Florida's coach.
"The film is sloppy, just so we're all on the same page,'' Napier said. "I know we're ready to put the crown on the Gators, but the Gators got a lot of work to do to play at our expectation and our standard."
Napier had no interest in getting into the gritty details — Florida hosts No. 20 Kentucky on Saturday night — but the usual suspects stare back if you glance at the final game book.
Utah amassed 25 first downs, rushed for 230 yards, and rolled up 446 yards. The Utes also converted 8 of 13 on third down and won the points-off-turnover battle. Offensively, the Gators held their own (451 yards, 283 rushing) behind an excellent performance from quarterback Anthony Richardson (168 yards passing, 106 rushing, 3 TD), and defensively came up with the game's biggest play on linebacker Amari Burney's game-clinching interception in the end zone in the final seconds.
Still, they could have been better. The Gators failed to record a sack and did not force a turnover until Burney picked off Utah quarterback Cameron Rising to seal the victory. Running back Montrell Johnson Jr.'s fumble led to Utah's first score after the Gators had zipped deep into Utes' territory on the game's opening drive.
Napier and his staff took note after watching the film.
"I just want to see more precision, more detail in how we play across the board,'' he said. "The good thing that I observed is the chemistry and morale of the team. We stuck together — ups, downs, we responded. I think that's probably the compliment I would give the team. They played hard in the game. Like anybody that watched that film or watched that game on TV would say, 'hey, the Gators played hard, man. They competed. That's what I'm proud of."
Whatever Napier's final breakdown of the film from Florida's win over Utah is, it's likely more pleasant than anything he has seen from Florida's game against Kentucky last season. Ranked No. 10 at the time, the Gators suffered a 20-13 loss at Kentucky, their second in the last four meetings against the Wildcats.
The Gators tripped over their feet most of the game, committing 15 penalties in their first loss in Lexington since 1986. The loss prompted Kentucky fans to rush the field in celebratory fashion, a memory the Gators were reminded of Monday.
"Yeah, of course, you take that personally. But you've got to understand, you've got to guide that motivation and those emotions in the right direction,'' said redshirt freshman defensive lineman Tyreak Sapp, who made his collegiate debut against Utah by chipping in three tackles. "You can't be all over the place. You've got to have those things in the right spot. Because if you don't, you're gonna go out there, and you're gonna play everywhere. Even though your intensity is high, it doesn't matter. You have to guide that energy in the right direction."
The Wildcats opened the season with a 37-13 win over Miami (Ohio), led by quarterback Will Levis, who was 21 of 32 for 303 yards and three touchdowns. In his 10th season, Kentucky coach Mark Stoops has led the Wildcats to six consecutive bowl appearances. Kentucky opened the season ranked in the AP Top 25 for the first time since 1978.
While Levis is back, the Wildcats opened with several players suspended, including leading rusher Chris Rodriguez Jr., who rushed 19 times for 99 yards and the go-ahead score in last year's victory over the Gators. Rodriguez remains off the depth chart, and Stoops announced Monday that Ramon Jefferson, one of the players filling in for Rodriguez, is out with an injury.
Meanwhile, Florida's running game produced nicely in Napier's debut as Johnson rushed for 75 yards, freshman Trevor Etienne, 64, and Nay'Quan Wright, 39. Johnson added a 14-yard scoring run early in the fourth quarter that put the Gators in front in a seesaw final period.
Johnson echoed his coach's sentiments about playing better in the SEC opener.
"Mindset is just keep building on good days,'' Johnson said. "Keep getting better each and every day, and it's all going to come together at the end."
The same will be true for Richardson, who sparkled in his first career home start. Richardson's performance catapulted his name into the early season Heisman Trophy conversation. It showcased his raw talent, none more than on his pump-fake-spin move on a two-point conversion pass.
"I seen it at least 20 times on Twitter and all the types of social media,'' Johnson said. "In the game, I actually thought Anthony got sacked right there, and I'm like, what? It was just crazy."
Much like his thoughts on the team, Napier has reminded everyone of Richardson's inexperience and small sample size to conclude from. The final product is yet to be determined.
Still, there is no denying Richardson and the Gators delivered in a big way in Napier's debut.
"Anthony's going to stay humble,'' Napier said following Saturday's win. "He's going to continue to improve, and I'm certainly glad that we've got him.
"This group's got fight in it. I don't think I've said that publicly. One thing about our team that I respect is they compete."
Next up: competing in the SEC.
Players Mentioned
Aaron Chiles Media Availability 10-15-25
Wednesday, October 15
Damieon George Jr. Media Availability 10-15-25
Wednesday, October 15
Billy Napier Media Availability 10-15-25
Wednesday, October 15
Gator Insider presented by Talon Wealth 10-15-25
Wednesday, October 15