Florida football coach Billy Napier admitted his team’s performance was ‘not good enough’ following a stunning 18-16 loss to 18.5-point underdog South Florida. The Gators’ 2023 season is now in jeopardy, with the loss marking a rare upset in college football. Napier’s admission highlights the challenges facing the team as they look to rebound from the unexpected loss.
The game, played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, saw South Florida rally from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter to secure the win. Quarterback Chris Brown led the rally with a 24-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Ford with 4:03 remaining in the game. The win extends USF’s winning streak to three games and keeps them in contention for an at-large berth in the College Football Playoff.
Napier, who took over as head coach of Florida in 2022, faces mounting pressure after the loss. The Gators, ranked 14th in the AP poll, had a chance to improve their resume but instead suffered their first loss of the season. The defeat raises concerns about the team’s consistency and ability to perform against higher-ranked opponents.