GAINESVILLE, Fl.—The sidelines can tell the story of a game.
So can the fans.
At The Swamp on Saturday, in front of 90,000+ rabid fans, Florida Gator head coach Billy Napier orchestrated story time to absolute perfection.
By the time the game had ended, close to 85,000 Florida fans went to bed victorious, sated, smug and content. They were actually looking forward to their next opponent, Ole Miss.
Bless their hearts.
Defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong photo credit: Brian Estes
The final score was Florida 26, LSU 17. The game was not that close despite the statistics pointing to an LSU victory.
The Tigers’ time of possession was 41:43 versus the Gators’ 18:17. LSU had 392 total yards versus Florida’s 339. LSU had 25 first downs, Florida 13. LSU converted 13 of 24 3rd downs while Florida converted 3 of 9. The Tigers only converted a little over 50 percent of their 3rd downs?
What happened?
The Florida fans happened.
photo credit: Brian Estes
It was all about those vociferous, swamp puppy-loving fans. Their excitement and support for the Gators carried down to the field like a tidal wave. How rowdy was it? When LSU’s offense faced third down 24 different times, the press box shook.
Every. Single. Time.
“We have to give the crowd a ton of credit,” Napier said after the game.
“That place was electric tonight and played a major factor in the game. Obviously the kids feed off of it. And 11 straight sell-outs, and something about when the sun goes down, it’s pretty special in there. Very thankful for our fans. And to continue to show up, right, and do their part. Obviously we’ve struggled at times, but I’m just very thankful for the overall support and the way they impacted the game tonight.”
Last season, Napier was heavily flirting with the coaches’ hot seat. Fans, pundits, the so-called experts and local sportswriters were openly calling for a change in leadership after two sub-500 seasons. An overall record of 11-14 in the SEC is, well… cause for termination.
But Napier was recently given a vote of confidence by athletic director Scott Stricklin—a decision I applauded, for what it’s worth—and that likely buoyed the team’s enthusiasm and confidence as well.
Billy Napier photo credit: Brian Estes
“[It] means a lot,” quarterback DJ Lagway said after learning that Napier would return next season.
“Being the second year in offense is huge. Just having the guys rally behind that and truly like we’re going to change this. And that’s the whole vibe in the locker room, that we’re going to change this place and we’re going to make it what it used to be. I feel like on a recruiting standpoint, I felt it was huge as well. I had a lot of guys hit me up after they’ve seen that, texting me, trying to see what’s going on. But yeah, it’s great.”
Heck, Lagway now has his own fan club in the stands. How great is ball?
photo credit: Brian Estes
Napier can be rather stoic on the sidelines. But he seems in control at all times— almost a calming influence on the sidelines—when emotions run high. He interacts well with his players and appears to be a father-figure to many of them. When there is a bond between a coach and player, the transfer portal is in another universe.
And that’s important when you have a true freshman phenom quarterback who feels pretty comfortable in orange and blue.
DJ Lagway photo credit: Brian Estes
“When the big plays arrive, I’ve got to make the play,” Lagway said post game.
“That’s what Coach Napier recruited me for. Blessed to have the opportunity to make the play.”
“My confidence level in this offense has jumped up tremendously,” he added.
“Having Coach Napier and Coach O’Hara and Graham Mertz helping me in different situations, and I feel like that’s one part of my game that I want to develop and continue to get better, being a situational expert, as Coach Napier would say. That’s something I continue to work on daily.”
Tyreak Sapp (L), nephew of Warren Sapp and former teammate Jalen Lee (R) photo credit: Brian Estes
If other schools plan on enticing Lagway away from Florida, do not bother. He is staying put. He is committed. And honored.
This week, three, count ’em three Gators were named SEC Players of the Week.
Lagway was named SEC Freshman of the Week. Linebacker Shemar James was tabbed SEC Defensive Player of the Week and Kicker Trey Smack—who kicked a 55-yard field goal that soared an extra 10 yards past the goal posts— was dubbed SEC Special Teams Player of the Week.
The fans should have been honored as well. The kinetic energy the crowd was feeding to the players was just incredible.
And vice-versa.
photo credit: Brian Estes
The momentum of this team’s late-season surge feels eerily similar to former head coach Pete Carroll’s first season at USC in 2001.
The Trojans went 6-6 that year. Carroll’s hiring had raised a few eyebrows. The Trojans had opened that season with four consecutive losses. They won four of their final five games. There was hope. Something was brewing in Los Angeles.
The following season No. 5 USC went 11-2 and knocked No. 3 Iowa senseless in an Orange Bowl victory, winning 38-17. It was the beginning of the Pete Carroll era at USC.
photo credit: Brian Estes
And now, in Gainesville, the Legend of Billy Napier has officially begun.
This head coach, who makes about $7.4 million a year, wears a Timex watch. That’s right. A TIMEX.
Napier is not just the Gators’ coach. Napier is The People’s Coach. Cue the Kum-bay-ya chants.
photo credit: Brian Estes
LSU, on the other hand, is in disarray. The Tigers were a preseason CFP hopeful, remember? After dropping an unfathomable three consecutive games, a date with Vanderbilt this weekend all of a sudden seems a little… daunting?
photo credit: Brian Estes
The problem with LSU is not with its roster. It is with its head coach.
It looks like Brian Kelly has lost his team.
The sidelines cannot obscure emotions and passions. The sideline is where the pulse of a team lies. And unless things change drastically, that pulse is in danger of flatlining.
photo credit: Brian Estes
Kelly was upset over a lot of things on Saturday. He barked at officials, which is not unusual for any coach. He barked at his receivers—not a good idea unless there was a teachable moment in there.
Kelly continually chastised his quarterback, Garrett Nussmeier. Not cool, Kelly.
Not cool at all.
photo credit: Brian Estes
LSU’s defense had allowed only six sacks leading up to this game. That is pretty impressive.
In this game’s first half, the Tigers allowed one sack. In the second half, they allowed six. That is seven poundings Nussmeier took. We won’t even count the hurry-ups, scrambling out of the pocket or knock-downs he endured.
Garrett Nussmeier photo credit: Brian Estes
Nussmeier had his face in the ground more often than an armadillo looking for grub on a warm, summer night. At times, he had only a second or two to get his passes off.
And Kelly thought Nussmeier was the problem?
Nope.
Try the O-line. Or maybe his receivers for not getting open in pretty loose zone coverages. Or, the offensive coordinator for not making adjustments to counter the Gators’ relentless pass rushing attack.
Brian Kelly photo credit: Brian Estes
Midway through the 4th quarter, Nussmeier trotted to to the sidelines to recover from a particularly hard sack. He appeared to veer left to avoid Kelly but the coach followed him over to the bench area and yelled at him anyway.
Nussmeier looked like he wanted to hit something hard. His O-line? His coach? The transfer portal?
Throughout the game, Kelly isolated himself from others. On an island, of sorts. And his staff smartly stayed clear.
Occasionally Kelly would slap some fives to his defense or special teams for making a great play. But overall, Kelly’s demeanor was sour, angry and frankly, unprofessional.
Brian Kelly photo credit: Brian Estes
Kelly is a smart man. Perhaps he senses that he has lost his team.
Vanderbilt may be the litmus test.
In the mean time, Napier is feeling the love from Gator Nation. The Swamp will be rockin’ on Saturday when Florida faces the one-touchdown favorite Mississippi Rebels.
The culture of winning has been planted and is in full bloom. The players, fans and coaches are believers.
The Gators face their student section photo credit: Brian Estes
Just wait ’til next season.
Strike the Heisman pose, DJ. If everyone can stay healthy, an SEC Championship game awaits.
The bitch is back.
(You may quote me)