TAMPA, Fla. – The Florida Gators are out to prove that it doesn’t matter how you start. This is how you finish.

Just a month ago, the Gators season seemed to be over. After the embarrassing season-opening loss to Miami, things were getting hotter for head coach Billy Napier. Other lopsided losses to Texas A&M and Texas have only fueled these hot seat fires.

But then the Gators finished the season with three straight wins, two at home against ranked teams LSU and Ole Miss and the regular season finale on the road against Sunshine State rival Florida State. It was a run that saved Napier’s job and qualified him for the Gators Bowl.

“We’re at a point where we believe we can beat anyone,” Napier said.

Florida’s late-season run resulted in its first winning season since 2020. The Gators’ resurgence was led by quarterback DJ Lagway. The freshman sparked the offense with his strong arm. Lagway led all FBS quarterbacks with a passer rating of 97.3 on deep balls.

“I think this team has a confident tone,” Napier said. “I think it comes from work. They realize that the results they have achieved are due to the mindset and approach they have taken at work.”

Now the Gators will close out the season in the Gasparilla Bowl against Tulane, a team that will be without starting quarterback Darian Mensah after he decided to enter the transfer portal. The Green Wave will have a local connection. Former Plant City star Mario Williams is Tulane’s leading receiver. Regardless of who is and isn’t in the mix for Tulane, Napier wants his Gators to finish strong and set the tone for the offseason.

“These guys have a chance to get a good degree in our state and then be home for Christmas,” Napier said. “And we have a few weeks off before we start again in January.”