WATCH: Billy Napier reacts to Gators' upset loss at Vanderbilt

On3 imageby:Zach Abolverdi•11/19/22•

ZachAbolverdi

NASHVILLE — Coming off the team’s best 2022 performance against South Carolina, the Gators dropped their fifth game of the season Saturday and suffered the program’s worst loss in SEC play since Vanderbilt upset Florida in 2013.

Despite a 400-yard, three-touchdown passing performance from quarterback Anthony Richardson and a fourth-quarter rally, the Commodores pulled off the 31-24 upset behind two touchdowns off UF turnovers and Ray Davis‘ third straight 100-yard rushing game (122 yards).

The Gators (6-5, 3-5 SEC) also had a season-high 80 yards on seven penalties, including a trio on third down that moved the chains for Vandy (5-6, 2-5 SEC). Florida, meanwhile, finished 4-of-15 in third-down conversions.

“We did not play winning football today,” UF coach Billy Napier said after the game. “We’ve got to take care of the ball. We’ve got to eliminate the penalties. We have to rush the ball effectively. They exposed some of our depth issues.

“There’s a lot of things that this can teach us. I think, ultimately, that’s what’s important here, that we learn from the experience. I think our group is well versed on what winning football looks like. We did not do what’s required to win.”

In the video below, Napier gives his opening statement and reacts to the Gators’ penalty issues and lack of production in the run game Saturday, finishing with a season-low 45 yards.

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Billy Napier opening statement

“No question a ton of missed opportunities out there today. This is a simple game. I think our group knows what winning football looks like. We did not play winning football today. You think about the opportunities and mistakes within the game, couple of red-zone opportunities early made us kick field goals — had 6 to show for that momentum we had early — really had two turnovers in the game that led to 14 points, and we had way too many penalties in the game. A handful of penalties that resulted in first down third down, particularly in the first half. You have to give Vanderbilt some credit, they did some things today well. There’s a lot of Florida beating Florida out there today. That’s my job is to have the players ready to play — we did not do that today.

“I think our group understands what happened out there today and ultimately not enough to win. It’s that simple. A lot of the things we’ve been doing we were not able to do today. At times we played well on defense, but we didn’t work together today as a team. Think there’s opportunity here for this group to respond the right way. I think ultimately when you go through challenges, you make mistakes, it gives you the opportunity to respond, to show your character. I think this is going to be an opportunity for this group to stick together. They worked extremely hard to become a team. Certainly, these experiences give you an opportunity to show that, to show that character, to show that togetherness. We have an opportunity to go play again this year. But we’ll take a good look at the film.”

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