Everything head coach Billy Napier had to say following Florida’s 26-7 week four loss to No.4 Miami on Saturday night.
Opening statement
“Heck of a football game, and hats off to Miami. They have a really good football team. I think they played well enough to win tonight and credit Coach Cristobal and his team and how they played complimentary football. I do think our kids battled their tail off. I think in particular, defensively, it was an incredible effort. Obviously, not good enough on offense. We didn’t generate enough yards or points. The first half was a trial of errors. Not many plays where we executed well at all. We had mental errors in protection on third down and really struggled to stack any good plays together. Had four three-and-outs and six punts in the first half. I do think the kids responded at halftime. The staff did a great job and put together a good script. We found some running game there early in the second half and able to kind of make it a football game there at 13-7. And get a takeaway, and in position there with a fourth down, got to have it, come up a little bit short on the 30-yard line. At that point, the game kind of gets out of control with a couple of short fields late. In general, our kids competed. I’m proud of the way the kids showed up and the effort in which they played with. Now, the execution on offense, obviously, was not good enough. We struggled to get off the field on third down in the first half on defense. I do think that Tommy Doman had a good day in the punt game, but it was a game of field position. We played on a long field in the first half, and obviously we got kind of got back into some normal field position in the second half. But in general, had our shots. We had our chances. There were some plays to be made in the second half in particular. But that’s a good football team.”
On the inability to convert on third down:
“I think, in particular, in the first half, we had some busted protection. I do think there’s opportunities there when you look at it big-picture wise, where we got to make some plays. We got to give Miami some credit, too. They pressured us. They affected the quarterback. And it wasn’t good enough. I think the first half in particular was a game that was about third down. They stayed on the field. They got us off the field.”
On whether prior history against QB Carson Beck helped UF contain him:
“Look, I think we have a good defensive unit. I think we’ve got good personnel. Our staff does a great job. And we played the early downs. I do think that he did a nice job on third down in particular in the first half. But in general, our defensive staff and players did a great job of executing the plan.”
On taking ownership over the offensive struggles:
“When we watch the tape, it will be a combination of a lot of things. I think every position is contributing to our issues. Obviously, we’ve talked about DJ and what he’s been through this offseason. I do think that there’s some rhythm missing there. And that’s what, we’re going to go back to the drawing board. I think the opening date is coming at a good time there. And we got to evaluate everything we’re doing on that side of the ball.”
On the talent of Miami’s running back tandem:
“Obviously, a couple of those touchdowns are on short fields at the end of the game. But in general, they’re effective. I think their OL does a nice job. It’s a vertical run game. They’re both big and both heavy. And they’re tough to tackle. They’re both really good players.”
On the consideration of a field goal at fourth and four:
“Well, it’s fourth and four, a 53-yard field goal and rolling into the fourth quarter. Analytically, it was a go, but if you think about it, it was a touchdown game at that point. Even if you get the three, it’s still a touchdown game. So, I think we got it on the short field, we hadn’t had many of those the entire night and it felt like we had the play there, we just had to get our depth on the route. The play was there, we completed the pass, we just have to get our depth.”
On the confidence that bye-week corrections could be beneficial like last seasons:
“We’ve got to generate some points. We have to get more first downs. We’ve got to find some rhythm on offense, bottom line. I think we have a good group in the kicking game and on defense, those guys continue to show up and play. We’re lacking consistency, we’re lacking detail and we’re struggling to stack plays.”
On what gives him confidence they could have a turnaround similar to last season:
“The young men in that locker room, that’s what gives me confidence. I know what they’re capable of. In particular offensively, we’ve got to help them and we have to do our best from a leadership standpoint and from a coaching standpoint with each group. I think the makeup of the group is what gives me confidence.”
On the communication with Lagway and his demeanor between series:
“He’s battling. He’s a young player who’s had a unique offseason. He’s battling his tail off to try to do his job for his teammates. I think his team rallied around him this week. They respect him as a person, as a leader and as a competitor. They know what he’s been through, and I think that’s their intent, and they certainly showed up and played that way.”