Ad Disclosure
Billy Napier on Kentucky loss: ‘We know what winning football looks like’
By Rolando Rosa
Published:
Billy Napier and Florida had a 3-game winning streak snapped with a 33-14 loss at undefeated No. 20 Kentucky (5-0, 2-0) in Week 5.
Florida (3-2, 1-1) surrendered 329 rushing yards to the undefeated Wildcats, an amount that exceeded the Gators’ total yards (313). Florida’s offense floundered to go 4-for-13 on 3rd down conversions.
During a recent press conference, Napier placed the heat on himself for the road loss but believes the Gators are taking it in stride.
Billy Napier took responsiblity for Florida's myriad failures at Kentucky. He likes the way the players have responded. "Proud of the things that I've heard … the last few days." #Gators
— OnlyGators.com: Florida Gators news (@onlygators) October 2, 2023
“Proud of the things that I’ve heard…the last few days,” Napier said.
Napier: "Let's not make this any more complicated than it is. We lost … bc they ran for 9.2 ypc … we turned the ball over 4x … we lost explosive battle, hidden yardage battle, penalty battle. We know what winning football looks like. Certainly, Saturday wasn't it." #Gators
— OnlyGators.com: Florida Gators news (@onlygators) October 2, 2023
Napier explains all the factors that contributed to the defeat.
“Let’s not make this any more complicated than it is. We lost because they ran for 9.2 ypc … We turned the ball over 4 times,” Napier said. “We lost explosive battle, hidden yardage battle, penalty battle. We know what winning football looks like. Certainly, Saturday wasn’t it.”
#Gators coach Billy Napier on Kentucky game: 'We can coach better, we can play better, we've turned the page. There's urgency to do everything better.'
— Edgar Thompson (@osgators) October 2, 2023
Napier expresses that the loss isn’t reflective of the Gators’ potential and they’re dedicated to making the most of the rest of the season.
“We can coach better, we can play better, we’ve turned the page,” Napier said. “There’s urgency to do everything better.”
Florida will host Vanderbilt (2-4, 0-2) in Week 6 on Oct. 7 (4 p.m. EST/SEC Network). Florida leads the all-time series 43-11-2. However, Vanderbilt won last season’s meeting 31-24 in Nashville to snap an 8-game losing streak against the Gators.