MIAMI GARDENS — Florida stored it shut and loved a glimmer of hope earlier than No. 4 Miami pulled away for a 26-7 win. DJ Lagway’s struggles continued for a sputtering offense whereas the Gators’ protection continued to offer them an opportunity.
Listed here are 5 issues discovered as UF fell to 1-3 for the primary time since 1986.
Lagway gained’t stand for this any longer
Within the metropolis the place Joe Namath boldly predicted the Jets’ victory in Tremendous Bowl III, Lagway made his personal assure whereas additionally channeling the “promise” of Florida legend Tim Tebow in the course of the 2008 nationwide championship season.
“It’s been exhausting, however you possibly can inform we’re going to get issues modified,” Lagway stated. “I can assure that. This isn’t acceptable in any respect. This isn’t OK.
“We’ve acquired to play higher soccer, and it begins with me.”
In contrast to Namath and Tebow, Lagway’s phrases might show empty until issues transform in the course of the bye week.
Previously three video games, he’s 78-of-105 for 560 yards, or 5.3 yards per try, with two touchdowns and 6 interceptions — 5 of them throughout a Sept. 13 loss at LSU. Throughout the LSU loss, the USF flop Sept. 6 and at Miami, Lagway was unsettled within the pocket, not sure the place to go along with the ball and unable to make performs down the sector — he had no completions longer than 12 yards in opposition to Miami.
In accordance with ESPN Analysis, seven of his 12 completions had been caught behind the road of scrimmage. 3 times he missed the tight finish extensive open within the flats.
“There’s some rhythm lacking there,” Napier stated.
UF’s coach and Lagway’s camp level to a misplaced offseason due to accidents. An absence of observe has mushroomed right into a disaster of confidence that can require time to repair. But, time is operating out as he and the Gators recalibrate earlier than turning their consideration to an Oct. 4 go to from Texas.
“Simply acquired to maintain on creating. Proceed to get higher each day,” the 20-year-old sophomore stated. “That’s all we will do. That’s all I can management. It’s simply 1% higher each day.”
Napier isn’t going wherever but
The tip of Napier’s tenure seems inevitable, simply not imminent.
A bye week may appear the perfect time for UF to half methods and decision-makers flip their consideration to discovering the subsequent coach.
The transfer additionally might spur an exodus, given a participant can seem in 4 video games and never depend the season towards his eligibility. When a coach is fired in season, gamers have 30 days to redshirt or enter the switch portal.
After ousting Brent Pry after an 0-3 begin, Virginia Tech performed and not using a dozen starters throughout a 38-6 win in opposition to overmatched Wofford.
The Gators additionally would want an interim coach, who must juggle his present tasks. A powerful candidate could be operating backs coach Jabbar Juluke, whom the SEC suspended three video games for showing to strike an LSU participant throughout pregame warm-ups.
Higher for now to stay with Napier, whose workforce continues to play for him. The 46-year-old will deal with a tricky scenario with professionalism and style, whereas teaching as if he can save himself — even in opposition to all odds.
Napier will remorse play calling
Napier was raised by a highschool coach, given his first job as offensive coordinator in his late 20s at Clemson and was 33-5 his ultimate three seasons at Louisiana whereas engineering the Ragin’ Cajuns assault.
However just like Clemson, the place he served within the function simply two seasons (2009-10) earlier than Dabo Swinney fired him, Napier isn’t succeeding at calling performs at a significant program.
Following consecutive shedding seasons in 2022 and 2023 to begin his Florida tenure, many believed Napier would rent somebody outdoors this system to run the offense. After 2024 ended with 4 straight wins and Lagway emerged as a possible star, Napier tightened his grip on the play sheet, regardless of inside dialogue he’d cede the function.
On Feb. 5 at Nationwide Signing Day, Napier instructed reporters, “It’s what acquired me right here.”
Greater than something, it’s what’s going to result in Napier’s looming ouster.
Florida’s assault has three touchdowns in three losses, Lagway seems to be misplaced and in-game administration is simply too typically chaotic.
Add to the lengthy checklist of organizational missteps a 10-players-on-the-field penalty for Florida throughout Carter Davis’ 53-yard area purpose for Miami.
Gators search to repeat bye-week magic
Florida entered their first bye a 12 months in the past sitting 2-2 after beating a depressing Mississippi State workforce whereas nonetheless permitting 480 yards.
Napier was firmly on the recent seat.
However coaches simplified the protection and made some lineup modifications. The Gators responded to the adversity with extremely aggressive practices to achieve some confidence.
Popping out of the break UF dominated UCF and Kentucky, ought to have crushed Tennessee and led Georgia till Lagway was injured. Florida completed 8-5 and had been deemed a program out of the blue on the rise.
Napier and the Gators should pull one other rabbit out of their helmets this week or undergo a 3rd shedding season in his 4 at Florida.
One-sided rivalries
The Miami loss dropped Napier to 3-12 in opposition to Florida’s 5 rivals: Georgia, Florida State, LSU, Miami and Tennessee.
Wins in opposition to Tennessee in 2023 and LSU final season within the Swamp had been spectacular, whereas a 2024 win in opposition to FSU’s worst workforce in years was a given. UF pushed Tennessee in 2022 in Knoxville and once more in additional time final season, however fell each occasions due to miscues on the sideline.
In any other case, UF has come up effectively quick in opposition to the opponents that matter most, a truth not misplaced on Napier.
“We’ve acquired an obligation to (win), not just for our followers and our alumni, however for the gamers in that locker room,” he stated. “So, yeah, we care about (it) lots, too.”
Edgar Thompson might be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
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