Florida football coach Billy Napier isn't necessarily advocating stopping games in 2025

TAMPA – Cheers spread to the field as Florida football players and coaches lifted the Gasparilla Bowl trophy after UF’s 33-8 victory over Tulane on Friday at Raymond James Stadium.

Derek Lagway was there watching his son, Florida Gators freshman quarterback DJ Lagway, answer questions from the ESPN2 broadcast team after receiving the game’s MVP award. It wasn’t the cleanest game for Lagway, who threw two interceptions in the first half, but the 6-foot-1, 220-pound phenom from Willis, Texas, finished his rookie season 6-1 as a starter after playing 22 Intercepted balls – 35 passes for 305 yards and a touchdown in the bowl game.

UF’s shaky first half — Florida led just 6-0 at halftime after failing to score a touchdown in the red zone in two plays — once again raised the biggest question for the Gators heading into the offseason: Will Billy Napier still be in 2025? call the plays?

Some of UF’s early offensive difficulties could be attributed to the three-week break since the season finale against Florida State on Nov. 30. But Florida didn’t start off quickly offensively in this game either. Tulane threw some zone coverages at Lagway that he appeared to be ill-prepared for. Some of that can be attributed to UF’s freshman quarterback, but some better concepts and better-timed playmaking could have helped Lagway find a better rhythm earlier in the game.

“We could have controlled the game earlier if we were cleaner on offense,” Napier said after the game.

Florida also lost two starters on offense – right guard Dameion George Jr. and right tackle Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson – who sat out the game. They were replaced by redshirt freshman Bryce Lovett at right guard and Kamryn Waites at right tackle.

Regardless, it gives opposing SEC defensive coordinators a plan to contain Lagway in 2025, and Florida won’t face quarterbacks as overwhelmed as Tulane’s Ty Thompson was Friday afternoon.

“We had some misunderstandings,” Napier said. “We had a couple of penalties; we had some procedural penalties and ultimately the game ended in the red zone, where Tulane did a good job, but I also think we could do a little better.”

How Florida football’s offense rebounded in the second half

Florida settled for a third field goal in the third quarter when, after Lagway led Florida to a first-and-goal from the 3-yard line, running back Ja’Kobi Jackson lost four yards on first down and two on second down Yards gained and on third-and-goal from the 5-yard line, Lagway threw the ball away.

The Gators finally reached the end zone when Lagway connected with tight end Tony Livingston in the off-play zone on a 7-yard TD pass with 4:03 left in the third quarter.

“I just played bad football, didn’t take care of the ball, saw plays that I thought I could make and forced it,” Lagway said. “I didn’t get there until the second half, my guys took care of me, it’s just a blessing to have great teammates like I have.”

Napier could argue that the continuity he built with Lagway isn’t worth interrupting at the start of his sophomore year. On the other hand, another play-caller could unleash more from Lagway, who finished his freshman year throwing for 1,915 yards, 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

The other argument is that Napier has too much on his plate in his dual role as head coach and offensive lineman, especially in today’s college football era where head coaches are also involved in transfer portal decisions.

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