Florida coach Billy Napier started leaving the field Saturday night, as the boos from the home crowd grew louder, he quickened his pace. He may have escaped the noise for the moment, but his exit from the Florida program could be coming on Monday morning.
Jadan Baugh ran for a career-high 150 yards and a touchdown, and freshman quarterback DJ Lagway threw for 280 yards to help Florida hold off Mississippi State 23-21 in a mistake-filled game that might mark the end of Napier’s tenure in Gainesville.
The Gators (3-4, 2-2 SEC) sealed the win when defensive tackle Michai Boireau intercepted Bulldogs quarterback Blake Shapen in the final seconds, with Mississippi State (4-3, 0-3) driving into field-goal range. The pick set off a rare celebration inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, snapping a two-game losing streak and handing Mississippi State its 15th consecutive SEC defeat.
Despite the win, it did little to quiet the calls for change. Florida’s sloppy execution and questionable coaching decisions once again dominated the storyline — and could be the final straw for athletic director Scott Stricklin.
Napier improved to 22-23 overall and 12-16 in SEC play over four seasons, but Saturday’s win was marred by the same recurring issues that have plagued his tenure. Florida committed costly penalties, made puzzling play calls, and failed to convert easy scoring opportunities.
Among the most glaring decisions: Napier called quarterback keepers on both a third-and-1 in the closing minutes and a third-and-7 earlier in the game, each failing to move the chains. The Gators also took consecutive penalties that turned a short field goal into a long one, botched their final drive before halftime, and were flagged for 12 men on the field during a two-point conversion attempt.
Florida also had a long touchdown wiped out by penalty — the fourth time this season that’s happened.
“The kids fought,” Napier said afterward, declining to discuss his job status. “We made some mistakes, but we found a way to win.”
For all the chaos, Florida’s talent managed to overcome the miscues. Baugh’s power running carried the offense, while Lagway made enough plays through the air despite throwing two interceptions.
Mississippi State’s Blake Shapen finished with 324 yards passing, connecting with Brenen Thompson for 155 of them. Running back Davon Booth added 105 yards and two touchdowns, keeping the Bulldogs within striking distance all night.
But Shapen’s final throw — a short slant that ricocheted into Boireau’s hands — ended Mississippi State’s comeback hopes and likely sealed Napier’s short-lived reprieve.
Florida played shorthanded in the defensive backfield. The Gators were without safety Jordan Castell and cornerback Cormani McClain, while standout corner Devin Moore injured his right shoulder on the opening drive and spent the rest of the game in a sling.
With Dijon Johnson and Aaron Gates already sidelined, Florida’s depth was tested. Redshirt freshman Jamroc Grimsley and walk-on safety Alfonzo Allen Jr. made their first career starts, and freshman corner Ben Hanks III saw his first action of the season. The patchwork secondary held up just enough when it mattered most.
Mississippi State returns home to face No. 21 Texas next Saturday, the Longhorns’ first trip to Starkville since 1991.
Florida, meanwhile, enters its bye week with major uncertainty. Whether Napier will still be the head coach when the Gators face No. 9 Georgia in Jacksonville remains to be seen — but after Saturday’s uneasy win, the writing may already be on the wall.
