A couple of observations:
Florida was simply more physical than Kentucky. Not just along the lines, but skill position players as well.
I know Napier and the players are crediting that bye week of practices for the newfound physicality, but to me, the biggest difference, especially tonight, was the defense being able to get lined up and set before the snap.
I tweeted when it was announced that Graham Mertz would miss the rest of the season that I thought that DJ Lagway as the starter would give UF the best chance of pulling an upset down the stretch. That doesn't mean that they will, but his long-ball ability gives UF a chance to steal a score or two a game. Mertz might not have thrown the pick that Lagway did, but he also wouldn't have hit four 40-yard passes either.
All things considered, to me at least, this feels like the most 'feel good' game of the Billy Napier era at UF.
UF needed this momentum boost heading into the bye. They got it. Credit the staff and players.
Florida was simply more physical than Kentucky. Not just along the lines, but skill position players as well.
I know Napier and the players are crediting that bye week of practices for the newfound physicality, but to me, the biggest difference, especially tonight, was the defense being able to get lined up and set before the snap.
I tweeted when it was announced that Graham Mertz would miss the rest of the season that I thought that DJ Lagway as the starter would give UF the best chance of pulling an upset down the stretch. That doesn't mean that they will, but his long-ball ability gives UF a chance to steal a score or two a game. Mertz might not have thrown the pick that Lagway did, but he also wouldn't have hit four 40-yard passes either.
All things considered, to me at least, this feels like the most 'feel good' game of the Billy Napier era at UF.
UF needed this momentum boost heading into the bye. They got it. Credit the staff and players.