Florida fans let their opinions be heard in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Saturday night after the No. 13 Gators fell to in-state foe South Florida by a score of 18-16 in The Swamp.
The message was clear: “Fire Billy (Napier).”
As fans exited the stadium after the loss, the chant could be heard ringing through the terraces and the stairwells. A video was posted online and has been racking up views since it hit social media.
“Fire Billy” chants have broken out at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium after UF falls to USF, 18-16. pic.twitter.com/4OaNw1NWKf
— Riley Orovitz (@rileyorovitz) September 7, 2025
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The Gators held the first lead of the game at 3-0 in the first quarter and led the Bulls at halftime in a low-scoring contest, 9-6. USF earned the game’s first touchdown late in the third quarter to make it 13-9, and then picked up a safety less than two minutes later to make it 15-9.
Florida answered with an early fourth-quarter touchdown to gain the 16-15 lead with just over 12 minutes to play in the game. USF battled back, though, and hit a game-winning, walk-off field goal as time expired from 20 yards out.
The Gators went into the game as a -17.5 favorite over the Bulls.
Billy Napier’s seat is warming up, and the Gators’ scheduling isn’t getting any easier. Florida’s next five games are at No. 3 LSU, at No. 5 Miami, vs No. 7 Texas, and at No. 19 Texas A&M… not to mention games later in the season such as vs No. 4 Georgia, at No. 20 Ole Miss, vs No. 22 Tennessee, and vs No. 14 Florida State.
Florida went 7-5 (plus a win in the Gasparilla Bowl) during the 2024 season, but the Gators’ athletic department executives remained committed to Napier throughout the offseason. Florida brass believed that Napier hadn’t lost the locker room despite a rocky season last year.
With Saturday’s loss to USF and a miserable schedule still on the horizon, things could go south in Gainesville. The Gators need a bounce-back game, but four straight ranked opponents don’t make things easier by any stretch.
It’s clear to see that Florida’s fanbase is starting to get restless, too.
We’ll monitor the situation for the Gators, but at the end of the day, it’s Florida. No matter what happens, it’s going to prove to be a marquee storyline in the college football landscape this season.
Back in Knoxville, No. 22 Tennessee picked up a 72-17 win over ETSU to move to 2-0 on the season. The Volunteers will host Georgia in an SEC opening showdown next Saturday night in Knoxville. ESPN’s College GameDay will be in attendance.
Stay tuned to Rocky Top Insider for continued Tennessee football and SEC coverage.
