Billy Napier, Florida, praised by CFB fans for strong finish to season with bowl win | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors
News

Billy Napier, Florida, praised by CFB fans for strong finish to season with bowl win | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

Posted on by Amelia Pressman

TAMPA, FL – DECEMBER 20: Florida Gators wide receiver Elijhah Badger (6) runs up front during the Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl between the Florida Gators and the Tulane Green Wave at Raymond James Stadium on December 20, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Ricky Bowden/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Ricky Bowden/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

For the first time since 2019, Florida won a bowl game.

The Gators earned a 33-8 victory over Tulane in the 2024 Gasparilla Bowl on Friday.

Head coach Billy Napier’s team didn’t get off to a good start, leading narrowly 6-0 at halftime thanks to two field goals from kicker Trey Smack. Still, Florida scored 10 points in the third quarter to pull away from the Green Wave before pulling away in the fourth quarter.

Tulane struggled on offense and was missing quarterback Darian Mensah after he transferred to Duke on Dec. 11. Backup Ty Thompson started in Mensah’s place, but there were frequent offensive issues throughout the contest.

Thompson finished just 11 of 29 for 125 yards and a touchdown compared to three interceptions.

The Gators were buoyed by a strong rushing performance, accumulating 224 yards on 44 attempts as a team. That included a one-yard carry by defensive tackle Desmond Watson that sent his teammates into a frenzy on the sideline.

Bleacher Report @BleacherReport

449-POUND Florida lineman Desmond Watson struck the Heisman pose after getting a carry as an RB 🤣🏆
ABSOLUTE LEGEND. pic.twitter.com/WZaDvkiIXx

Florida quarterback DJ Lagway also threw for 305 yards and a touchdown to go along with two interceptions.

Fans and pundits were impressed with the Gators’ defense as well as Napier’s squad’s overall finish to the 2024 season.

Kevin Negandhi @Kevin Negandhi

It is noteworthy that Billy Napier ends the season with a four-game winning streak and strong momentum. The @GatorsFB had a brutal second half schedule and finished the bowl with an 8-5 win. Well done Gainesville.

Kyron Samuels @Cyrus Samuels

Seriously, Billy Napier got this team to 8-5 with a bowl win, that’s impressive. They also have recruiting momentum. should be real next season.

OnlyGators.com: Florida Gators news @just gators

Second game in a row that the Florida #Gators The defense held an opponent without a touchdown for three quarters.

CJ Bird @CJVogel_OTF

Billy Napier just took a timeout to hand off to 448 pound DL Desmond Watson on 3rd and 1, lol. I love it.

FLSportsTakes @FLSportsTakes_

10 straight games with a turnover for this Gators defense 🐊🔥

Wake up SEC @wakeupsec

Big respect to Billy Napier and the Florida Gators.
Napier was effectively fired after a 1-2 start.
Despite some serious injuries and one of the toughest schedules in the country, he led the Gators to a 7-3 record.
All three losses came against playoff teams. Program: 📈 pic.twitter.com/SIgMFjSRjC

GATORCHOMP🇺🇲🐊 @GatorChompXX

Billy Napier is 26 up and still angry on the sideline after using a TO. That’s what we want 🔥🔥🔥

Suspended from the SEC @LockedOnSEC

Billy Napier started the season 1-2 and it looked like he would be fired midway through the season.
He rallied his troops and went 7-3, including four straight wins to close out the year with victories over LSU, Ole Miss, FSU and Tulane.
The arrow pointed up for Florida

Even though Tulane was missing starters on both sides of the ball, it was still an impressive performance from the Gators against the second best Goal defense in the AAC.

Florida hurt its chances of competing in the SEC by opening the year with a 1-2 record, but a strong finish to the season gives Napier’s program some momentum heading into 2025.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *