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Back-to-Back Upsets, Billy Napier turn Florida Around

Updated: Nov 24

Darnell Sallins

November 23, 6:05PM


Billy Napier smiling as Gators drop 9. Rebels

The Florida Gators have miraculously salvaged the 2024 season and are bowl eligible come season end. Just two weeks ago the Florida Gators looked dead in the water at Texas. Just coming off their big lost to their rival Georgia in Jacksonville and losing freshman QB DJ Lagway in the game. The Gators played their third string QB Aidan Warner in Austin and were routed 49-17 to then 5. Texas Longhorns.


Losing their starting QB Graham Mertz to a torn ACL against Tennessee in October and Lagway to begin November, the Gators season was almost done. The toughest part of the Gators schedule seemed insurmountable. The injuries to key players, 4-5 on the season, and have to face LSU and Ole Miss, both which are competing for the SEC and playoff spots in Gainesville before a trip to Tallahassee.


However, in just two weeks Billy Napier and the Gators pulled off two major upsets and drowning the hopes of LSU and Ole Miss. Last week, the Gators upset 22. LSU 27-16, despite the Tigers owning the football for 41 minutes and 43 seconds of game time.


Then on Saturday, in the Swamp, the Gators upset 9. Ole Miss 24-17 to end the Rebel's playoff hopes. The Gators defense forced Rebels' QB Jaxson Dart into two late fourth quarter interceptions to sela the game. DJ Lagway passed for 180 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. Montrell Johnson Jr. ran 107 yards and the go-ahead touchdown at the midway point of the fourth quarter.


Back-to-Back upsets over ranked, playoff hopeful opponents at home and the Gators are officially bowl eligible. Florida AD Scott Stricklin gave coach Napier his vote of confidence on November 7 heading into the Texas game. Now three weeks later, the football team has been played well and showing support for their head coach and the vibe in Gator Nation has done a 180.


Kirk Herbstreit took to X to vote Napier as Coach of the Year.

Kirk Herbstreit on X


Pat McAfee also took to X to express his feelings about the turnaround in Gainesville


Pat McAfee on X

The Gators will finish the season at Doak Campbell Stadium next Saturday against in-state rival Florida State (2-9), who is arguably the most disappointing team in 2024.

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