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For the first time since 2019, Florida won a bowl game.
The Gators cruised to a 33-8 victory over Tulane in the 2024 Gasparilla Bowl on Friday.
Florida Gators Football @GatorsFB
ROLLED THE WAVE. 🐊<br><br>Presented by: <a href=”https://twitter.com/WellsFargo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@WellsFargo</a> <a href=”https://t.co/QTi6qjTDjr”>pic.twitter.com/QTi6qjTDjr</a>
Head coach Billy Napier’s team didn’t get off to a hot start, holding a narrow 6-0 lead at the half due to a pair of field goals from kicker Trey Smack. Still, Florida scored 10 points in the third quarter to gain some separation from the Green Wave before pulling away in the fourth.
Bleacher Report @BleacherReport
FLORIDA FUMBLE TURNED TD 🤯😅<br><br>(via <a href=”https://twitter.com/SECNetwork?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@SECNetwork</a>)<a href=”https://t.co/Wv4gkJG7Wa”>pic.twitter.com/Wv4gkJG7Wa</a>
Tulane struggled offensively, missing quarterback Darian Mensah after he transferred to Duke on Dec. 11. Backup Ty Thompson started in Mensah’s place, but offensive issues were rampant throughout the contest.
Thompson finished just 11-of-29 for 125 yards and one touchdown compared to three interceptions.
The Gators were buoyed by a strong rushing performance, picking up 224 yards on 44 attempts as a team. This included a one-yard carry by defensive tackle Desmond Watson that fired up his teammates on the sideline.
SEC Network @SECNetwork
DESMOND WATSON GETS THE FIRST DOWN 😤 <a href=”https://t.co/jxJDiWXbzR”>pic.twitter.com/jxJDiWXbzR</a>
Bleacher Report @BleacherReport
449-POUND Florida lineman Desmond Watson hit the Heisman pose after getting a carry as an RB 🤣🏆<br><br>ABSOLUTE LEGEND. <a href=”https://t.co/WZaDvkiIXx”>pic.twitter.com/WZaDvkiIXx</a>
Florida quarterback D.J. Lagway also threw for 305 yards and a touchdown to go along with a pair of interceptions.
Fans and pundits were impressed with the Gators’ defense as well as the overall finish to the 2024 season by Napier’s squad.
Kevin Negandhi @KevinNegandhi
For Billy Napier to close out the season on a 4 game winning streak and serious momentum is remarkable. The <a href=”https://twitter.com/GatorsFB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@GatorsFB</a> had a brutal 2nd half schedule and finished 8-5 w a bowl win. Well done in Gainesville.
Kyron Samuels @kyronsamuels
in all seriousness billy napier getting this team to 8-5 w/ a bowl win is impressive. they have recruiting momentum as well. should be legit next season.
OnlyGators.com: Florida Gators news @onlygators
Second straight game that the Florida <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gators?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#Gators</a> defense has held an opponent without a TD through three quarters.
CJ Vogel @CJVogel_OTF
Billy Napier just called a timeout to hand it off to 448-pound DL Desmond Watson on 3rd & 1, lol. I love it.
FLSportsTakes @FLSportsTakes_
10 straight games with a turnover for this Gators Defense 🐊🔥
Wake Up SEC @wakeupsec
Big respect to Billy Napier and the Florida Gators.<br><br>Napier was practically fired after a 1-2 start. <br><br>Despite some huge injuries and one of the nation’s toughest schedules, he rallied the Gators to a 7-3 finish.<br><br>All 3 losses came against playoff teams. Program: 📈 <a href=”https://t.co/SIgMFjSRjC”>pic.twitter.com/SIgMFjSRjC</a>
GATORCHOMP🇺🇲🐊 @GatorChompXX
Billy Napier is up 26 and still pissed off on the sideline after using a TO. That’s what we want 🔥🔥🔥
Locked On SEC @LockedOnSEC
Billy Napier began the season 1-2, and was looking like he was going to be fired by midseason. <br><br>He rallied the troops and went 7-3 down the stretch, including winning four in a row to finish the year, with wins over LSU, Ole Miss, FSU & Tulane. <br><br>Arrow pointed upward for Florida
While Tulane was missing starters on both sides of the ball, it was still an impressive performance by the Gators against the second-best scoring defense in the AAC.
Florida hurt its chances at competing in the SEC by opening the year with a 1-2 record, but a strong finish to the season gives Napier’s program some momentum heading into 2025.
