UF’s Napier swears much better after ’em barrassing’ loss

Andrea Adelson, ESPN Elder WriterAug 31, 2024, 10:08 PM ET

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• ACC reporter.
• Joined ESPN.com in 2010.
• Graduate of the University of Florida.GAINESVILLE, Fla.– Florida coach Billy Napier called his team’s 41-17 loss to Miami on Saturday”embarrassing,” offering no reasons while pledging to get the problems fixed.Napier currently faced scrutiny heading into his third season, after going 11-14 in his first 2 and stopping working to make a championship game in 2015. That analysis makes sure to grow after an efficiency in which the Gators were outcoached and beat. “It’s awkward, to be rather truthful with you,”Napier stated.” That’s how I feel.

  That’s how our kids feel. There’s no reasons. Keep our mouths shut, appear and work. We have to do much better. I do believe that our players will appear and they will respond. “Editor’s Picks 2 Related Miami dominated in every location, rolling up 529 lawns

  of offense while

  physically dealing with the Gators in advance. On the other hand, the Florida offense struggled for a majority of the day, then played the fourth quarter without starting quarterback Graham Mertz, who was knocked out of the game with a concussion.Napier stated Mertz remains in concussion procedure and his status would be upgraded next week.

  Freshman DJ Lagway, the No. 8 player in the ESPN 300 in the class of 2024, can be found in and revealed pledge, leading a goal drive, but by then it was far too late.”I felt strongly that we would perform much better,” Napier said.”But I’m not here to make excuses. We have actually got to get it repaired.

  We’re going to get another opportunity next week, and we’ve got to play much better and coach better. “Fans began clearing out of the Swamp in the 3rd quarter. Late in the fourth quarter, as the arena was emptying, one fan might

  be heard yelling in the concourse,”Fire Billy!”Napier said he would have to make sure to safeguard his team from getting captured up in the negativity that comes with a loss to an in-state rival.Beyond the negativity, however, are the ongoing questions about whether Napier will remain as head coach.” We’ll have to navigate it,” Napier stated.

  “We have actually got to be males and we’ve got to show some maturity. Ultimately, if you care about the group, you’ll show up and strive

  at your job. I think this group will do that. However we can’t manage that. It becomes part of the task, and it becomes part of their duty to the team. “Napier had been adamant throughout the offseason that this was the very best group he has had since his arrival in 2022, and praised the return of Mertz. However for much of the day, the Gators were overwhelmed. Florida was 1-of-9 on third down. Apart from a 75-yard goal run from Montrell Johnson Jr., Florida had 64 lawns hurrying on 27 brings. Mertz was 11-of-20 for 91 yards with an interception.Despite the efficiency, Napier said, “We’ll prove in time that we can play better than that.””I still have confidence in our group, “he stated.”I believe we’ve made progress. Today is frustrating, not just for myself however for the entire team and organization and for our fans and for all the people that appreciate this location. Like I stated in the past, I’ve got conviction about the young men that we have on our group. I think we have much better football in us. However we need to go prove that.”