Billy Napier: Slowing Vols Pace Will Take Complementary Effort From Gators

The Gators will lean on their commitment to playing complementary football to slow the Volunteers' up-tempo offensive attack on Saturday.

Photo: Florida HC Billy Napier and QB Graham Mertz; Credit: Alex Shepherd

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- As the Gators open SEC play for their second season under Billy Napier, Florida is looking to replicate the positive performance it  wrought against McNeese State. 

Producing 49 points and allowing just 112 yards to the Cowboys, the Gators put together the two-sided product the staff has yearned for dating back to last year.

Hosting Tennessee, a unit largely unrivaled in college football from a tempo perspective offensively, Florida is prioritizing a two-way effort to combat the Volunteers.

"There's a commitment to play complementary football," Napier said on Monday.

In year one, the Gators' offense ticked at an effective rate while the defense maintained the struggles present in the final two years of Dan Mullen's regime in Gainesville. This offseason, when the defense lost its play caller Patrick Toney to the Arizona Cardinals, Napier bought in Austin Armstrong to establish consistency in the overarching scheme while injecting newfound energy and beneficial aggressiveness.

It's proved to be a promising marriage thus far.

"Ultimately, we've got off the field on defense. We've been much improved on third down,” Napier said. “Look, I think as the season unfolds and we get into the thick of the schedule, some of these statistical things will settle in. There's no doubt I'm confident that we're much improved on defense."

Armstrong's unit will arguably face its most formidable challenge of the year on Saturday.

The offensive style the Vols employ is a direct contrast to Florida's. Instead of operating methodically, Tennessee presents one of the nation's most fast-paced units with the desire to run a play nearly every 20 seconds of game time.

Heupel's system is designed to keep defenses on their heels. When he brought it over from UCF in 2021, the Volunteers immediately saw an uptick in efficiency. It culminated in historic production under Hendon Hooker's leadership in 2022, averaging just over 46 points and 525.5 total yards to boast Division-I's top-ranked offense.

"I think obviously the uniqueness of the offense, the tempo," Napier noted of Heupel's offense. "They're snapping the ball. They run about three plays a minute, right? I think they're first or second in the country in pace. There's an element to that that's unique. They've had success moving the ball and scoring points. I think there's an element to that. Not only the personnel, but also just systematically.

"How you going to play 'em? What is your fastball going to be? What are your curve balls, slider? How can you dictate the pace of the game a little bit? I think there's some things to that.

"I've got a lot of respect for what they do."

Now in 2023, under the command of a new signal caller in Joe Milton, while undergoing "plug-and-play" personnel changes with little-to-no drop-off to this point, the Vols offense remains dangerous.

"Two new starters on the left side of the offensive line," Napier said. "The tight end is gone. A couple of the receivers that were significant are gone. But they've got skill. I mean, they've got some really unique players, some speed in the slot. They've got some matchup issues."

That's not to mention the expected reintroduction of Cooper Mays at the center spot — missing the first two weeks of the season after undergoing a minor procedure in the offseason — who Napier said is an integral piece to making the offense tick.

"The center has been out. I think they'll get him back. I think he makes it go. His ability to communicate, really dictate the tempo and pace of the game."

His reassertion into the offensive trenches will further enhance an under-the-radar Tennessee rushing game from a national perspective due to the misconception of their deployment of an air raid. The use of pace and propensity for explosiveness in the modern game can often be synonymous with a high-volume passing attack.

However, the Vols run the ball slightly more often than they pass. It's a balanced approach.

Through two games, Heupel has leaned on running backs Jaylen Wright, Jabari Small, Dylan Sampson and the rushing attack 57% of the time. Last season, they ran the ball at a 55% clip, utilizing the ground game to force defenses to stack the box, setting up for deep shots on the boundary.

Milton's functional athleticism as a rusher supplements the facet of the scheme.

"The quarterback is a freak of nature," Napier said. "I mean, he's very, very talented. Not only can throw it but can run it. I do think his ability to rush the ball may be even more effective and more willing to do it than the last guy."

While the UT offense is undoubtedly a daunting task for the Gators' defense to slow, it also presents a challenge to Graham Mertz and Co. They'll be expected to slow the game down.

Florida found its identity against McNeese State with 327 yards on the ground to establish confidence after a shaky start to the season at Utah. It scored on its first seven possessions in the home opener.

According to Napier, it was precisely what the doctor ordered in Week 2.

"Just the ability to execute consistently, independent of the opponent," he said. "The film is clean. I think, for the most part, we're doing exactly what we prepared to do. We did a good job adjusting as they played us a little bit different. You got to be able to execute. When we watched the film, you get put in position to make the play, make the play. 

"Ultimately, I think we did that more often, with more consistency."

Finding success again on both sides of the ball in Week 3 against heightened competition will be paramount for the Gators' success, especially as they hope to limit the opportunities for the high-octane Tennessee offense.

"It's going to be really, really important as we get into these tougher competitions. The margin of error shrinks. Got to be on your A game."

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