NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Gators opened the curtain on their first season under Billy Napier with an outstanding performance, upsetting then-No. 7 Utah in the season opener.
They went from unranked to No. 12, the most significant one-week jump in program history.
And then they lost to Kentucky, barely escaped against an overmatched USF team, and lost at Tennessee.
Since that opening stretch, Florida has continued its roller-coaster season but appears to be peaking at the right time. The Gators (6-4, 3-4) have won two in a row heading into Saturday’s visit to Vanderbilt (4-6, 1-5), playing more the way Napier envisioned when he left Louisiana a year ago to take over a Florida program coming off a 6-7 season.
“It’s a lot of fun to come to work right now,” Napier said this week. “I’m really very pleased with the staff’s approach. The players, as they get more comfortable, I think they are really trying to play the game with the right intent. I think the chemistry, the team dynamic, and the morale is much better. Obviously winning helps that, but overall, just a lot of momentum.”
Dominate from start to finish.
🎥 The #jOURney: Episode 10 pic.twitter.com/eflmNADnmx
— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) November 15, 2022
The improvement is across the board, anchored by a running game that averaged 332.5 yards in wins over Texas A&M and South Carolina. Quarterback Anthony Richardson’s leadership and decision-making have improved. The defense has not allowed a touchdown in the last six quarters. The offense went 50 consecutive possessions without a turnover until a fumble on the last series against the Gamecocks.
Those are elements easy to pinpoint and that show up in the box score. But Napier pinpoints a deeper reason for the team’s recent surge.
“I see an intentional approach from players to be vocal about things that need to be addressed, things that need to be said … and I’m talking across the board,” Napier said. “I’m talking about doing extra. I’m talking about accountability. I’m talking about being intentional about connecting with your teammates.”
Much of Napier’s focus in Season 1 has been building a foundation for the future. The recent stability is proof that the work is making an impact.
The Gators became bowl eligible with their 38-6 win over South Carolina and seek to finish November 4-0. First, they must take care of the Commodores on Saturday, then go to…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Florida Gators…