Napier: Florida needs to tune out social media criticism

Florida head coach Billy Napier said his program has the intangibles to improve, though his players will have to focus more on executing on the field rather than off-field criticism.

"One thing I can say is we have a group that's working hard," Napier said Monday. "I do think that we have character. We got to go to work on the football part, and I think we got to become a more consistent team, and we have to execute better.

"If we can focus on those things and not necessarily what some guy in his basement is saying in rural central Florida on social media, then we got a chance to get better, right? I think that's the key."

Miami routed Florida 41-17 as Napier's defense had no answer for Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward. Napier admitted after the game that he didn't have "a ton of excuses" for the performance.

However, the Florida head coach also sees the silver lining in the loss and hopes it can serve as a lesson.

"There is no better learning experience than game experience," Napier explained. "I mean, there's an old military line: We can have a lecture about bullets flying, and we can talk about that for years, but when you're in there, and the bullets are flying, I think that's the scenario where the consequences become real.

"I played on championship teams. I've been a part as a coach on national championship teams, SEC championship teams, conference champions, division champions. Very rarely did we win every single game. I think, ultimately, a loss early can be a blessing if you don't waste it."

The Gators resume their season against Samford on Saturday. They may be without quarterback Graham Mertz after he exited the opening loss with a concussion. If he's unable to go, DJ Lagway will start.