Billy Napier and the Gators invited a full crew of SEC referees to officiate Friday’s practice and Saturday’s scrimmage.
“They were at practice the entire day Friday, they sat in meetings Friday, and then they officiated the scrimmage for us and called it just like they would call it on gameday,” Napier said. “I think we benefited from that two-day period and certainly very thankful for the league to create that opportunity.”
The referees were not just there to officiate practice and the scrimmage. Napier wanted the players to learn something from the crew that’s going to be calling their games.
“We had an instructional session, education session, with them as our team speaker on Friday,” Napier said.
“If I have a better understanding of the rules, If I know who’s watching me, If I have an understanding of how that crew works,” Napier said. “Whose eyes are on who, how they communicate with each other, as the ball snaps where is the point of contact? Who are they looking at? Who’s going to throw a flag on me?”
“Which member of the officiating crew is actually assigned to be looking specifically at me?” Napier said. “We did it in the spring, we just did it again for a couple days here. I think that’s going to benefit our team.”
Napier has placed an emphasis on limiting penalties and undisciplined plays since stepping foot in Gainesville, and it seems to be working. The Gators just had a handful of penalties during their scrimmage Saturday. Four of the penalties were technical and the other was undisciplined. The Gators’ staff doesn’t want to lose games that way, they don’t want to beat themselves.
Napier recognizes they will need to play disciplined football to beat the Utes in week one. Utah is always one of the most disciplined and well coached teams in college football, Napier is trying to even the playing field there.
I really like how Napier is trying to give every advantage possible to his players. If they can understand how these referees do their job, life will be a lot easier on them on Saturday’s.
Napier’s attention to detail is something to watch. If he thinks he can create an advantage for his team, he’s going to do it. Napier is committed to winning at the University of Florida.