Paul Finebaum defends Billy Napier taking late timeout in win vs. Texas

Paul Finebaum didn’t take any issues with a late timeout called by coach Bill Napier in the Florida upset of No. 9 Texas on Saturday. Finebaum received a call on his show from a Gators fan who was upset about Napier calling a timeout with 1:06 remaining prior to punting.

The SEC Network analyst defended the Florida coach, saying he did so strategically. It didn’t matter anyway, as the Gators hung on for a 29-21 victory.

“I think he had to take the timeout to keep his player in the game,” Finebaum said. “Say whatever you want about Billy Napier, and I know his game management has been questionable, but that was not on him.”

Even the announcers were confused with Napier’s decision. The booth sat stunned for a second, then commentator Bob Wischusen weighed in.

“A player lost a helmet on the field, under two minutes to go,” commentator Bob Wischusen said. “A timeout has been called now by Florida. Florida is using a timeout here to avoid the 10-second run-off and that gives more time to Texas? And it’s third down?”

Florida punted on the next play, giving the ball back to Texas with 55 seconds left on the clock. But the Longhorns needed a touchdown, and even a 41-yard completion wasn’t enough to get there.

Texas got all the way to the Gators 40-yard line, but quarterback Arch Manning was sacked and then threw an incompletion. Florida hung on for the win, erasing a three-game losing streak.

Three of the Gators’ next five games come against top 10 opponents in Texas A&M, Georgia and Ole Miss. They also close out the year against Tennessee and Florida State.

That means the remaining stretch is critical in determining Napier’s job status. The Florida coach entered this season already on the hot seat and is a mere 21-22 since taking over the program in 2022.

That includes going 8-5 last season, his only winning record in that span. The Gators needed to win four straight to close last season in order to achieve that mark.

Regardless, this recent win against the Longhorns has inspired confidence in the program and kept Napier alive for now. It only makes a Week 7 bout against No. 5 Texas A&M more pivotal. Florida will aim to continue terrorizing the Lone Star State when that game kicks off at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday in College Station, and Finebaum will surely be watching.