Florida football's Billy Napier addresses criticisms from fans

It’s been a rough start to the season for Billy Napier and the Florida football program. Not only did they get blown out at home 41-17 in their season-opener against the Miami Hurricanes, but they have also received a ton of criticism from the world of college football and their own fans alike.

These past 48 hours have not been easy for the Gators nation and rightfully so. You can’t really reach a new low point as a fan than to see your team get embarrassed at home like that.

Nonetheless, Napier and his team are trying to turn the page as they prepare for Samford this Saturday.

Napier met with the media earlier this afternoon and here’s what stood out from the press conference.

Napier thanks Gators fans

“(I) want to thank our fans,” he opened. “You know, our fans showed up. And did a great job. We need to do our part. You know, so that they could have been more of a factor in the game. You know, I think certainly we contributed to that.”

Napier talks about Graham Mertz’s availability

“Well, it’s to be determined right now. You know, I mean, I think we’re moving our way. I mean, I think obviously we we are checking boxes in protocol. You know, so regardless of the injury that he (Mertz) has, I don’t have that answer today. But, we’re going to go practice today and obviously DJ (Lagway) will be taking those reps.”

Napier’s confidence in Lagway

“Well, I mean, I think we would play a brand of football that reflects his experience and his strengths. Right. No different than we do each week. But I’ve got a ton of confidence in DJ (Lagway). You know, I think we’ve had him since January. He’s a completely different person and player than he was when he first arrived.

“So he’s got a really good knowledge of our system. I do think coach to player helps a young quarterback. Right. So there’s an advantage there that maybe you wouldn’t have had a year ago.”

Napier on criticism from the fans

“I do think that we have character. We got to go to work on the football part, you know, and I think we got to get more. We got to become a more consistent team, and we have to execute better.

“And if we can focus on those things and not necessarily what some guy in his basement saying in, you know, rural Central Florida on social media, then we got a chance to get better, right?”

“So, I think that’s the key. You know, but, sometimes you deserve criticism, you know, and I think that’s one of those things I would say I have no excuses. Right. So we got to go get it fixed. I know you’re just coach that you saw on film after analyzing the film. That was uncharacteristic from what you’d seen in the fall.”

Napier talks about the team’s mentality after the loss

“I just think we’ve got the group of players that we have. You know, I mean, I think observing them, you know, I think, I mean, we had almost the entire team came to the building yesterday when they were off, right? So, I think that’s a good example of, you know, the type of group that we have here.

“So, yeah, I mean, look, they’re embarrassed. I mean, that’s reality, right? So, you know, I said it postgame. I mean, I think, they know they’re capable of better, and got every opportunity is a lot of football left here.

“And I think that’s what we gotta do. We gotta focus on the next opportunity, the results. Cause you kind of look at any of the specific game prep process, other changes that you think you need to make.”

Napier discusses playing Samford

“Chris Hatcher is a great coach. I think this is year 10 for him. You know, Samford is one of the more competitive FCS programs in the country. He’s (Hatcher) done a good job of building a program. They’ve continued to invest there, and he’s got a good mix of players, and he’s got some portal players, and he’s also got some good high school players.

“And they have a history of being competitive in these games. You know, they played several of these throughout their time. And I’ve got a ton of respect as a former FCA FCS guy. You know, these games are important to programs like Samford.

“So, one thing that we’re going to do this week is we’re going to punt all the injury questions until Wednesday.”

Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.