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Billy Napier draws mixed reaction from Florida fans for usage of QBs in blowout loss
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Billy Napier drew plenty of reaction over his usage of Florida’s quarterbacks during its 33-20 loss to Texas A&M in Gainesville.
Graham Mertz is the starter, but true DJ Lagway was called upon for some packages throughout the evening. Mertz finished 12-of-15 for 195 yards, a touchdown, and an interception, while Lagway, on the other hand, was just 6-of-13 for 54 yards and 2 interceptions despite throwing a touchdown — having nowhere near the performance he enjoyed against Samford a week ago.
Some fans on social media would rather Lagway get the job full-time as he came in from the 2024 recruiting class with massive credentials. Others would rather him just pick one instead of playing both, in order to establish some consistency at the position.
Either way, Florida is 1-2 with a trip to Mississippi State coming up in Week 4. Here’s some of the reaciton on social media after the Gators’ latest defeat:
https://twitter.com/SECblog/status/1835093365777444952
Texas AM starting their freshman quarterback, yet the Florida Gators program continue to empower Napier to start a mid 6th year Senior over his Gatorade national player of the year aka dual threat quarterback 🤔
— ʙʀᴜᴄᴇ ʟᴇᴇ-ʀᴏʏ 🥋 (@TrophyMentality) September 14, 2024
Billy Napier can’t still have a job at Florida after today right? His defense has quit on him already, he doesn’t have a clue about who to even play at quarterback on a drive-by-drive basis, it’s pathetic to watch.
— Ron (@_QuoththeRavens) September 14, 2024
If Texas A&M walks into Gainesville with a backup quarterback and beats Florida, Billy Napier will be the definition of fired.
— Blain Crain (@Blain_Crain) September 14, 2024
The backup QB just went down the field on you in his first road SEC start
A first-year SEC coach is womping you in his first road game in the SEC while YOU are in your third year, Billy Napier
You have a 5 star quarterback sitting on the bench for no reason
WHAT ARE YOU DOING
— Nick VanZandt (@VanzandtNick) September 14, 2024
https://twitter.com/swampsking/status/1835106994509816144
And again.. Napier sticking with the rotation when the other quarterback has the momentum. He’s trying to get his buyout.
— Gary (@GDan1els) September 15, 2024
Billy Napier is such an idiot this two quarterback system is only going to get him fired sooner
— Chris Blaylock (@chrisblaylock33) September 14, 2024
Napier is running a 2 qb system and asking both qbs to be pocket passers. How does this make sense?
— RizzoTheRatSports (@RizzoTheRat21) September 15, 2024
I don't like Napier switching every drive. When you have a QB who is finding his groove, you can't take him out immediately
— Isabelle (@IsabelleMM2) September 15, 2024
Napier wants to use 2 Qb’s and managed to make the wrong decision on every drive
— Jbart (@JBartJr) September 14, 2024
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
