Press Conference | Napier Pleased by Practice, Rattler a Threat, Gators WR Jean Out
Wednesday, October 11, 2023 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Gators are at South Carolina on Saturday, their first road game since the deflating loss at Kentucky two weeks ago.
Unlike the days leading up to a 33-14 loss to the Wildcats, Gators head coach Billy Napier has sounded optimistic about the team's focus at practice.
"We've had a good week,'' Napier said following Wednesday night's practice. "Whether or not that means we're going to play better, I don't know. But I can say that I appreciate the attitude and the energy and effort of all involved, players and staff."
Florida (4-2, 2-1) dismantled the Gamecocks (2-3, 1-2) a season ago at The Swamp, winning 38-6 in UF's finest all-around game with Napier as the head coach. The Gators would like nothing more than a repeat on Saturday at Williams-Brice Stadium to stay in the thick of the SEC East race heading into a bye week.
The Gators will be without freshman receiver Andy Jean against the Gamecocks. Jean is listed as out due to a lower-body injury on the team's latest depth chart, which was released as Napier spoke to reporters.
Otherwise, the primary storyline around this game is whether the Gators can find success on the road. They are 1-7 away from home the past two seasons and 0-2 this year, losing at Utah and Kentucky.
The Gamecocks have won four of the last six against Florida at home, setting the stage for a stiff challenge on Saturday afternoon.
South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler has passed for 1,411 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions. The Gators dominated Rattler and Co. a season ago, but Napier said Rattler remains a dangerous threat when he has the ball. Florida fans remember Rattler's performance in the 2020 Cotton Bowl win over the Gators when he was at Oklahoma.
"He's grown and matured. You can see the level of confidence that he's gotten from experience,'' Napier said. "He's had a lot of success. This is his second coordinator at South Carolina, so if you think about it, it's his third coordinator [overall]. I think he's got a pretty good idea big picture-wise, what's going on. Man, I thought the back half of the season last year he was outstanding, and he's kept that momentum. Really, he's distributing the ball for them. That's ultimately, you know, he's the center of what they do."
Unlike the days leading up to a 33-14 loss to the Wildcats, Gators head coach Billy Napier has sounded optimistic about the team's focus at practice.
"We've had a good week,'' Napier said following Wednesday night's practice. "Whether or not that means we're going to play better, I don't know. But I can say that I appreciate the attitude and the energy and effort of all involved, players and staff."
Florida (4-2, 2-1) dismantled the Gamecocks (2-3, 1-2) a season ago at The Swamp, winning 38-6 in UF's finest all-around game with Napier as the head coach. The Gators would like nothing more than a repeat on Saturday at Williams-Brice Stadium to stay in the thick of the SEC East race heading into a bye week.
The Gators will be without freshman receiver Andy Jean against the Gamecocks. Jean is listed as out due to a lower-body injury on the team's latest depth chart, which was released as Napier spoke to reporters.
Otherwise, the primary storyline around this game is whether the Gators can find success on the road. They are 1-7 away from home the past two seasons and 0-2 this year, losing at Utah and Kentucky.
The Gamecocks have won four of the last six against Florida at home, setting the stage for a stiff challenge on Saturday afternoon.
South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler has passed for 1,411 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions. The Gators dominated Rattler and Co. a season ago, but Napier said Rattler remains a dangerous threat when he has the ball. Florida fans remember Rattler's performance in the 2020 Cotton Bowl win over the Gators when he was at Oklahoma.
"He's grown and matured. You can see the level of confidence that he's gotten from experience,'' Napier said. "He's had a lot of success. This is his second coordinator at South Carolina, so if you think about it, it's his third coordinator [overall]. I think he's got a pretty good idea big picture-wise, what's going on. Man, I thought the back half of the season last year he was outstanding, and he's kept that momentum. Really, he's distributing the ball for them. That's ultimately, you know, he's the center of what they do."
To watch Napier's entire press conference, check out the video below:
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