Billy Gonzales will make his debut as Florida’s interim head coach Saturday afternoon, and he certainly won’t prevail against an easy opponent.
The disappointing Gators will meet fierce rival No. 5 Georgia in a Southeastern Conference clash in Jacksonville, Florida.
Florida (3-4, 2-2) fired Billy Napier as head coach a day after a 23-21 home win over Mississippi State on Oct. 18.
Gonzales, who was the wide receivers coach, is now tasked with helping the Gators turn around their season. That quest will begin against a Georgia team that has won four straight games in the series and seven of the last eight.
“If we can continue to focus on ourselves, that’s the most important thing right now,” Gonzales said Monday. “For us, we’re getting close because it’s a great atmosphere to go play in Jacksonville, but it’s a game that, again, if we can focus on ourselves and make those improvements, that’s what we need to do.”
The Bulldogs (6-1, 4-1) are in the national championship picture and surely want to avoid a mistake.
Georgia is tied with 7th-ranked Ole Miss for third place in the SEC. Third-place Texas A&M and No. 4 Alabama share first place with a 5-0 record in league play. The Bulldogs’ SEC loss was 24-21 to the Crimson Tide on September 27.
Georgia coach Kirby Smart said it can be tricky facing a team in the middle of the season following a coaching change.
“There are probably challenges and benefits,” Smart said. “There’s a new voice, sometimes a new energy, sometimes change causes a spark. I’m sure they’ll change some things, and I mean no disrespect to Billy, but sometimes when you bring someone in, there’s new juice.”
The Bulldogs bow out after beating the number 1 at the time. 5 Ole Miss 43-35 on October 18.
The atmosphere in Jacksonville can be noisy, but neither team has home-court advantage.
“It’s very unique to have a neutral site and have a split crowd,” Smart said. “Every year we go play it, it’s a lot different than the home/away atmosphere in the SEC. It’s a little weird because it’s right in the middle, and it can be loud in either direction, and it’s kind of a dynamic game.”
Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton threw 17 touchdowns (10 passing, seven rushing), including five (four passing, one rushing) against Ole Miss. He threw for 1,553 yards and was intercepted just once in 200 attempts this season.
“I’m really proud of his growth,” Smart said. “He’s got to keep doing it and keep taking care of the ball. When he does that, we’re a good football team.”
The Bulldogs lost standout wide receiver Colbie Young (23 catches, 336 yards) to a fractured ankle against Ole Miss. Zachariah Branch leads the team with 35 catches for 362 yards.
Highly touted Florida quarterback DJ Lagway threw two interceptions against Mississippi State and has the same number of picks (nine) as touchdown passes. Lagway has 1,513 passing yards.
After Napier’s dismissal, the sophomore indicated he would stay in Gainesville and not look for a new destination.
Gators running back Jadan Baugh rushed for a career-high 150 yards against Mississippi State.
Florida could once again look to the race against Georgia.
“It’s going to be a big, physical game up front,” Gators left tackle Austin Barber said. “Georgia has a really good front, but I believe in our guys. We’re going to go out there, put the ball down and play.”
–Field level media
