Amid the conversations and speculation surrounding the future of Billy Napier's job security, a game still had to be played. It's a road game in the SEC.
While it may have been against Mississippi State, which looks like the new Vanderbilt of the SEC, the Gators rose to the occasion and won 45-28.
This was a must-win game for Billy Napier, who likely would have seen his office cleaned out on Monday morning if his team hadn't gotten it done on Saturday. The win ended the Gators' seven-game losing streak against FBS opponents.
“It’s good to win on the road in this league and this can be a challenging place to play,” Napier said. “We have more work to do. We won (Saturday), but we are very much a work in progress. We’re not even close to being who we can be and they know that.”
The Gators offense was humming all afternoon. The unit produced 503 total yards, 226 on the ground at 6.3 yards per carry, and 277 through the air—a much better week on third down, going 6/9.
The offense continued the two-quarterback system that the Florida staff has employed. The two signal callers were very efficient, completing 93 percent of their passes, with Graham Mertz going 19/21 for 201 yards with four total touchdowns and DJ Lagway going 7/7 for 76 yards.
The running back room had a bounce-back week after an underwhelming performance against Texas A&M last week:
- Montrell Johnson Jr. - 15 RA / 68 yards (4.5 YPC) / 3 REC / 22 yards
- Jadan Baugh - 4 RA / 53 yards (13.3 YPC)
- Treyaun Webb - 8 RA / 41 yards (5.1 YPC)
The unit totaled 27 carries for 162 yards at six yards per carry.
Florida came in with five receivers out, including star Eugene Wilson III. The famous "next man up" analogy was on full display as the other players in that room stepped up and played well.
- Marcus Burke - 4 REC / 45 yards
- Aidan Mizell - 5 REC / 36 yards
- Elijah Badger - 3 REC / 45 yards
- Chimere Dike - 3 REC / 43 yards
Mizell had two long touchdowns called back. His production of yards after catch will provide the Gators with an explosive element until Eugene Wilson III returns from injury.
Defensively, they did just enough; the Bulldogs aren't a good enough team to capitalize on their defensive performance. The Gators let up 480 yards of total offense, a perfectly balanced attack from State with 240 yards on the ground and through the air.
A needed win for the Gators who are now 2-2 going in the bye.
Billy Napier sits atop the hottest coaching seat in the country and that doesn't change with a victory over Mississippi State. The Gators have the bye week before an October 5th matchup with Central Florida.