Five moments from Florida Football's 2023 campaign that need to be cleaned up in 2024
![Nov 18, 2023; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier on the sidelines against the Missouri Tigers during the second half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports Nov 18, 2023; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier on the sidelines against the Missouri Tigers during the second half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3624,h_2038,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/213/01j49rfxq90vh68pf3ez.jpg)
Don't Run Out Of Bounds
Given we just highlighted Pearsall getting stripped while he was fighting for yards as a moment that can't happen in 2024, following it up by saying not to run out of bounds may seem counterintuitive.
But as with a lot of things in football, everything is about context and time and score.
Against Missouri, we all remember 4th and 17, but for as much as Napier talks about playing complementary football, the offensive sequence before that played just as much of a role.
Once Florida got into field goal range to take the lead, the Gators opted for the conservative route and tried to make Missouri use up all their timeouts. On 3rd and 12, Trevor Etienne took the ball out wide and wound up running out of bounds. The Tigers were able to preserve their last timeout and take a wild guess when that timeout got used?
Psst, it was to set up 4th and 17.
Situational football has to be better in 2024.
Don't Spit On People
Much like 4th and 17, we all remember the failed double reverse flea flicker. But also, like 4th and 17, there was an equally key moment that bookended that play.
Following Florida punting the ball back, still up 12-0, FSU had a run for 16 yards. It was not great, but there was still no reason to panic at that time.
Except Jamari Lyons spit on a Seminole, was ejected, and gave FSU another 15 yards.
FSU scored a touchdown on that drive with 26 seconds left, and had they not been given a free 15 yards, it's possible they would have settled for a field goal.
Memo for 2024: don't spit on people
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