For Georgia football fans that enjoy schadenfreude, they received a share of it by seeing Florida lose on Saturday.
It was not a great day for Florida Gators fans. Their football team was absolutely walloped at home. The Miami Hurricanes dominated Florida, 41-17.
Coming into this season, the Gators were looking to start strongly, so that had a chance to make a bowl game despite a brutal schedule. This game was seen as a tossup that could bring Gators fans hope at the start of the season, but it was the exact opposite.
The game was close for a half. Florida trailed 17-10 near the end of the half. However, Miami rattled off 21 unanswered points, scoring on every drive in the third quarter.
New Miami quarterback Cam Ward was basically perfect, throwing for 385 yards and three touchdowns for a 189.3 passer rating. The only mistake he made was throwing interception on their side of the field in the first quarter. The Miami running game totaled 144 yards and two touchdowns on 33 carries.
As for Florida’s QB, Graham Mertz was garbage, passing for only 91 yards, no touchdowns, one interception and an 83.2 passer rating, which wouldn’t even be considered good in the NFL’s passer rating scale. He left the game due to injury in the third quarter, bringing in DJ Lagway, who threw for 31 yards and another interception for a 60.1 passer rating.
Montrell Johnson Jr. had a great statistical day, running for 106 yards on 11 carries, but it was inflated by one big 75-yard touchdown run in the second.
Georgia fans had a great opening Saturday. Georgia crushed its ACC opponent, 34-3, but watching the Florida Gators struggle is a nice cherry on top.
Here’s how social media reacted to Florida’s latest embarrassing loss.
Florida coach Billy Napier is on a HOT seat
The bad news for Florida- Billy Napier's buyout is $26 million.
The worse news – Even if you have the money, Scott Stricklin, who has hired the last two football coaches, would in theory be hiring the next one as well.
Not. Ideal.
— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) August 31, 2024
Spurrier can’t like this
https://t.co/AlK9tpNUKU pic.twitter.com/h0QJMQv1lB
— Wes Blankenship (@Wes_nship) August 31, 2024
Billy Napier spent all offseason telling anyone that would listen that this was his most talented, most experienced roster at Florida.
That group just suffered the most lopsided regular season result under Napier (24-point loss) — and it was in The Swamp. https://t.co/rjeehs3lO0
— SEC Mike (@MichaelWBratton) August 31, 2024
You almost feel bad
Florida is 2-9 vs Teams that finished ranked under Billy Napier
Florida has lost 6 consecutive football games under Billy Napier
Florida hasn’t won a Home Game since October 7th, 2023
Florida is 1-10 vs rival teams under Billy Napier
That’s the tweet. pic.twitter.com/zxqg41JLaU— College Football Report (@CFBRep) August 31, 2024
Since “Shoe-Gate” Florida is on a 10-25 run vs. Power 5 opponents
Three straight losing seasons for first time since 1945-1947
— Pick Six Previews (@PickSixPreviews) August 31, 2024
https://twitter.com/CFBONFOX/status/1830020264513687691
https://twitter.com/ChrisVannini/status/1830013629258772712
https://twitter.com/ALostrich/status/1830017682541842631
https://twitter.com/ThomasGoldkamp/status/1830008690591584470
Miami does the chomp in the swamp!
https://twitter.com/theACCDN/status/1830020581573738709
