It was just three weeks ago that Florida coach Billy Napier left Ben Hill Griffin Stadium under an umbrella of boos.
Fast forward to week six of the college football season, and Napier received a thunderous ovation following a 24-13 victory of in-state rival Central Florida.
Florida played its most complete game this season to climb above a .500 record for the first time in 11 months. The Gators move to 3-2 (1-1) on the year with a road matchup in Knoxville against Tennessee next Saturday.
The dual-quarterback offensive system saw great success on the evening.
Graham Mertz completed 19/23 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown. DJ Lagway completed 4/4 passes for 50 yards with another 11 yards on the ground.
Montrell Johnson Jr didn't see his heaviest workload Saturday night but totaled 78 yards with a touchdown on ten carries at 5.4 yards per carry and six receptions out of the backfield.
The rest of the running back room was otherwise relatively productive.
Jakobi Jackson totaled 25 yards at 8.3 yards per carry with a touchdown. Jadan Baugh totaled 30 yards at 3.3 yards per carry.
Star WR Eugene Wilson III missed the contest, being ruled out pregame. The rest of the pass-catcher room stepped up in his place:
- Elijah Badger: 3 REC / 41 YDS / TD
- Chimere Dike: 4 REC / 88 YDS
- Tank Hawkins: 7 REC / 64 YDS
The offense concluded the evening with 359 total yards, running for 130 at 4.1 yards per carry. The Gators were good enough in situational football, converting 6/13 on third down and being near perfect in the red zone.
The passing attack had seven plays of 10+ yards and three plays of 20+ yards. The ground game only saw one explosive run on a 34-yard flash by Montrell Johnson Jr. in the second quarter.
The defense put on a show, stifling one of the best rushing attacks in the country. It held the Knights' offense to 273 total yards and just 108 rush yards at 2.7 yards per carry.
It is a huge boost of confidence for a unit that has lacked physicality and been punished in the run game going into Saturday night.
The front seven bullied the UCF offensive line, totaling five sacks and seven tackles for loss. Florida was uncharacteristically adept in situational football, holding the Knights to 4/12 on third down.
It was a massive win for Billy Napier, whose future in Gainesville has been skeptical to conclude before season end.
On the UCF side, a very disappointing loss vs. an in-state rival following the Knights's blowout home loss vs. Colorado the week prior.
A Guz Malzahn team that garnered loads of praise entering the season looks to lack the foundational ability to win games they should win.
It's disheartening for Orlando residents to witness the university blow one of the most significant opportunities in program history against Colorado only for the team to roll over the following week against a struggling Florida team.
The Gators move to 3-2 (1-1) on the year with a road matchup in Knoxville against Tennessee next Saturday.
Fast forward to week six of the college football season, and Napier received a thunderous ovation following a 23-13 victory of in-state rival Central Florida.
Florida played its most complete game this season to climb above a .500 record for the first time in 11 months. The Gators move to 3-2 (1-1) on the year with a road matchup in Knoxville against Tennessee next Saturday.
The dual-quarterback offensive system saw great success on the evening.
Graham Mertz completed 19/23 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown. DJ Lagway completed 4/4 passes for 50 yards with another 11 yards on the ground.
Montrell Johnson Jr didn't see his heaviest workload Saturday night but totaled 78 yards with a touchdown on ten carries at 5.4 yards per carry and six receptions out of the backfield.
The rest of the running back room was otherwise relatively productive.
Jakobi Jackson totaled 25 yards at 8.3 yards per carry with a touchdown. Jadan Baugh totaled 30 yards at 3.3 yards per carry.
Star WR Eugene Wilson III missed the contest, being ruled out pregame. The rest of the pass-catcher room stepped up in his place:
- Elijah Badger: 3 REC / 41 YDS / TD
- Chimere Dike: 4 REC / 88 YDS
- Tank Hawkins: 7 REC / 64 YDS
The offense concluded the evening with 359 total yards, running for 130 at 4.1 yards per carry. The Gators were good enough in situational football, converting 6/13 on third down and being near perfect in the red zone.
The passing attack had seven plays of 10+ yards and three plays of 20+ yards. The ground game only saw one explosive run on a 34-yard flash by Montrell Johnson Jr. in the second quarter.
The defense put on a show, stifling one of the best rushing attacks in the country. It held the Knights' offense to 273 total yards and just 108 rush yards at 2.7 yards per carry.
It is a huge boost of confidence for a unit that has lacked physicality and been punished in the run game going into Saturday night.
The front seven bullied the UCF offensive line, totaling five sacks and seven tackles for loss. Florida was uncharacteristically adept in situational football, holding the Knights to 4/12 on third down.
It was a massive win for Billy Napier, whose future in Gainesville has been skeptical to conclude before season end.
On the UCF side, a very disappointing loss vs. an in-state rival following the Knights's blowout home loss vs. Colorado the week prior.
A Guz Malzahn team that garnered loads of praise entering the season looks to lack the foundational ability to win games they should win.
It's disheartening for Orlando residents to witness the university blow one of the most significant opportunities in program history against Colorado only for the team to roll over the following week against a struggling Florida team.
The Gators move to 3-2 (1-1) on the year with a road matchup in Knoxville against Tennessee next Saturday.
