Billy Napier Put on Hot Seat By CFB Fans After Mertz, Florida Lose vs. Texas A&M

Billy Napier's search for his first winning season at Florida is off to a rocky start in 2024.

Florida lost 33-20 to Texas A&M on Saturday, dropping the Gators' record to 1-2 and frustrating fans watching the third-year head coach.

The loss especially stung for Florida after Texas A&M entered the contest with redshirt freshman Marcel Reed starting in place of injured quarterback Conner Weigman.

After allowing a field goal on the game's opening drive, the Gators fell into a 20-point first-half deficit before intercepting the Aggies on the final play of the second quarter.

Florida responded by opening the second half with a touchdown pass from Graham Mertz.

Then DJ Lagway, who was named Mertz's backup by Napier earlier this season, came in on the following Gators drive and was unable to score.

Mertz was handed the ball again on the next Florida possession, which ended with a pick-six.

Mertz went 12-of-15 for 195 yards, a touchdown and an interception in the loss, while Lagway connected on six of 13 pass attempts for 54 yards, a touchdown and two picks.

Florida signed Napier to a seven-year, $51.8 million contract in 2021 to take over for previous head coach Dan Mullen.

The Gators posted a 6-7 record and made a bowl game appearance during his first season with the program in 2022 before the team's record dropped to 5-7 in 2023.

Florida opened the 2024 season with a 41-17 loss to Miami, the most points allowed in a home opener in program history.

The Gators won 45-7 over Samford in Week 2 before dropping Saturday's contest.

Texas A&M recorded 488 total yards of offense on Saturday, marking the most yards the Gators have allowed since Miami racked up 549 in the season opener.

Napier has just over a month to turn his team's season around before a difficult back stretch of the campaign pits the Gators against top-ranked conference opponents including No. 1 Georgia, No. 2 Texas and No. 5 Ole Miss this fall.

Florida returns to action next Saturday with another SEC contest, and the team's first road game of the season, against Mississippi State.