“It’s a player problem.”
Those were the words echoed by several Florida players after their 38-19 loss to South Carolina in Gainesville.
Aaron Chiles, the junior inside linebacker, was one player who said it was a player struggle. “It’s not necessarily the calls or coaches, but it’s the players. At some point we have to win our one on ones, and we have to perform,” he said. He noted that the chemistry and preparation need to improve and that the defense has to play better overall.
Florida players trying to get things fixed after back-to-back losses
Chiles said one thing that’s needed in terms of culture and chemistry is a key leader in the locker room, a big piece of Florida’s puzzle that is being exposed as missing. He said Dallas Wilson spoke up in an attempt to be one of those people after Florida’s loss.
“It’s a player led team,” said Chiles. “As players we have to step up and we have to take control.” He said that was Wilson’s statement to the team:
“He said it’s on the players. He said we can’t blame the coaches, the coaches won’t be out there playing for us. It’s not necessarily calls, but execution on the players’ part. During the week we have to be super focused, super locked in to get what we want,” he said.
Aaron Chiles said that SO. WR Dallas Wilson stepped up as a leader for the #Gators after today’s loss:
— Dylan Olive (@DylanOlive_UF) October 10, 2026
“He said it’s on the players. We can’t blame the coaches.” pic.twitter.com/uHPO9H7NdT
Bailey Stockton had those sentiments regarding it being a player problem. “Me personally, I think it is a player problem. We need to play better,” said the Gators’ senior wide receiver.
Bailey Stockton when asked what #Gators OC Buster Faulkner can do to help get the offense back on track:
— Dylan Olive (@DylanOlive_UF) October 10, 2026
“Me personally, I think it is a player problem. We need to play better.” pic.twitter.com/zs5PXRitR0
Stockton talked about how not everyone on the field is doing their job, and it starts with practice and practice habits. “We need to be more intentional with it,” he said. “It starts in practice. You can’t just go out and think you’re going to beat an SEC team,” he said. “It starts in practice.”
Going back to his statement on it being a “player problem,” Stockton stated that the coaches are putting the players in good positions to be successful, but the players aren’t executing.
“They (the coaches) put us in a great position. It has nothing to do with the coaches, I think it starts with the players,” said Stockton.
With Texas on the horizon next week, The Gators will need to figure out what’s going on inside the locker room this week and really lock in in practice before facing the No. 1 team in the nation next week.
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