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Florida Football had a 14-point halftime lead, and Billy Napier still got booed

Florida went on to win 48-20

By Benjamin Henderson

Oct 19, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier calls a play against the Kentucky Wildcats during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
Oct 19, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier calls a play against the Kentucky Wildcats during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images / Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
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One of the talking points for Florida Football heading into the season was their ineffectiveness during the "Middle Eight." This is the final four minutes of the first half and the first four minutes of the second half. In the Billy Napier Era, the Gators tend to be hyper-conservative heading into halftime and then tend to be flat coming out of the locker room.

So even though Florida went into the locker room with a 14-point lead against an SEC foe, Napier's lack of conviction to keep his foot on the gas pedal led to him still getting booed on Saturday night.

Florida Football: Pedal To The Metal

For the first quarter and a half, Saturday's contest played out according to script. Both Florida and Kentucky were engaged in a grade-A rock fight, and anyone who bet the under was feeling pretty good about life.

But then DJ Lagway hit Elijhah Badger on a 50-yard bomb to set up a TD. Later, he Lagway found Badger for 58 yards to set up another TD.

Florida took a 27-6 lead after an interception set up a one-yard Jadan Baugh TD. The Gators gave it right back after Kentucky returned the kickoff for a touchdown, giving Florida the ball on the 25 with 1:30 left to work with.

Given the fact Florida was gashing Kentucky down the field, it feels like Napier should have given Lagway the green light to at least attempt to engineeer a drive for points.

Run.

Run.

Run.

Punt.

Cue a shot of Napier looking puzzled as to why fans aren't happy.

One could craft a narrative that Florida fans were just being petty, and if winning 48-20 elicits boos, nothing will make Gator fans happy. However, much like the Mississippi State game, this game was closer than the final score would indicate.

Coming out of halftime, Kentucky scored to make it 27-20. Mind you, that is against the backdrop of Florida having to pull off a goal-line stand in the first half that may or may not have had a fortunate early whistle.

And it wasn't until Jadan Baugh may or may not have reached the ball over the goal line for a touchdown late in the third quarter, that there was separation with a finish line in sight.

Napier's conservatism cost Florida against Tennessee. It worked out against Kentucky in spite of itself, and just because things work out in the short term doesn't mean they are a recipe for long-term success, especially with DJ Lagway under center.

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