Billy Napier takes ownership of loss to Kentucky: 'You have to take a good look in the mirror'
Billy Napier took ownership of Florida’s loss to Kentucky on Saturday, as the Gators fell 26-16.
Anthony Richardson struggled, and was just 14-for-35 passing for 143 yards and 2 interceptions. He also had just 6 carries for 4 yards.
Richardson was off all night, a major contrast from last week’s 3-touchdown, turnover-free performance against then-No. 7 Utah. The Wildcats made him pay for his mistakes. Linebacker Jordan Wright made a one-handed catch on Richardson’s pass to the flat late in the second quarter.
Richardson’s second pick was more egregious. He seemingly misread a defensive alignment and threw a pass to the wide side of the field that Smith easily picked off. Napier admitted there was miscommunication there.
Florida returns to action next week against South Florida.
Here’s a sampling of more Napier comments:
#Gators Billy Napier: ‘You have to take a good look in the mirror. That’s what I’m going to do and our coaches are going to do. In football you always got to tell the truth.’
— Edgar Thompson (@osgators) September 11, 2022
#Gators coach Billy Napier said there was miscommunication on the pick-6 but did not elaborate.
— Edgar Thompson (@osgators) September 11, 2022
Billy Napier: ‘A lot of good on defense. I thought we improved in a lot of areas there … and there was no quit.’
— Edgar Thompson (@osgators) September 11, 2022
Billy Napier: ‘Execution comes down to coaching. We didn’t execute well a lot tonight.’
— Edgar Thompson (@osgators) September 11, 2022
Napier: “I think coaching is a lot like teaching. When the students don’t perform as well as you want them to I think as a coach and as a teacher you gotta take a good look in the mirror.”
— Nick de la Torre (@delatorre) September 11, 2022
#Gators coach Billy Napier said Ventrell Miller was banged up, as was Michael Tarquin: “Both lower-leg injuries and we’ll give you those (updates) next week.”
— Graham Hall (@GrahamHall_) September 11, 2022
#Gators coach Billy Napier on Anthony Richardson’s performance: “I think Anthony, I think there’s no one who’s their own worst critic than Anthony. He’s the ultimate competitor.”
— Graham Hall (@GrahamHall_) September 11, 2022
Napier on how tonight was a reminder of Richardson’s relative inexperience: “Well, we’ve tried to talk about that as much as we can. I think the guy is, he’s a young player, right, that’s his second start in The Swamp.”#Gators head coach says growth comes from struggle.
— Graham Hall (@GrahamHall_) September 11, 2022
