GAINESVILLE — LSU’s Brian Kelly has his best team in four seasons at least, and he knows it.
Florida’s Billy Napier believed he did, too, but so far his words have been empty.
Two coaches, each in vastly different positions just two games into 2025, agree it takes time for the pieces to come together.
Kelly’s attack has been underwhelming. But his team is ranked No. 3, courtesy of a season-opening win at Clemson, as it hosts the reeling Gators (1-1) during Saturday night’s SEC opener in Tiger Stadium.
“At the end of the day, is winning football games,” Kelly said during Wednesday’s SEC teleconference. “We’re 2-0 and we know we need to play better offensively. But we all knew that this was going to be a process for us.”
LSU returned just one starter on the offensive line after losing tackles Will Campbell, the No. 4 pick in the 2025 NFL draft, and Emery Jones, a third-round selection.
Working behind a retooled front, fifth-year senior quarterback Garrett Nussmeier averages a meager 5.6 yards per attempt for a passing game ranked 15th of 16 SEC teams in efficiency. Kentucky transfer receiver Barrion Brown has just 119 yards on 13 receptions and hasn’t scored. Star tailback Caden Durham has gained only 103 yards on 30 carries.
“This is what it looks like as you build continuity within your offensive structure,” Kelly said. “So we’re not pressing any alarm bells. It’s early in the season. Will we get better? Do we need to get better? Absolutely.”
UF coach Billy Napier is 5-13 away from the Swamp without a win against a ranked opponent. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Kelly’s emotions certainly have calmed since his Tigers slipped by 37-point underdog Louisiana Tech 23-7 last Saturday night at Tiger Stadium.
The fiery 63-year-old lit into offensive tackle Tyree Adams on the sideline. Nussmeier also got an earful, but could have drawn more of his coach’s ire after he missed receivers and made poor decisions.
“If I didn’t think we had the players, I’d be in here giving you the Brian Kelly spin,” he said.
The best thing going thus far in Baton Rouge is a defense reminiscent of those physical LSU squads from yesteryear. Opponents average 1.89 yards per carry and 3.74 yards per play.
The Gators will aim to move the ball with sophomore quarterback DJ Lagway playing inconsistently after an injury-riddled offseason and a veteran offensive line too often out of sync.
Napier said Wednesday that Lagway “continues to get exponentially better, by the day.”
UF’s coach added, “The more work he gets, the better he’s gonna get. That’s one of the things that I look forward to is watching him continue to get better.”
Lagway and Co. will have to be much better for the Gators, a 7 1/2-point underdog, to have a chance. Napier’s teams are 5-13 away from the Swamp, and have not beaten a ranked opponent.
During last Saturday night’s 18-16 no-show against USF, the offense scored only one touchdown and settled for field goals three times inside the Bulls’ 25-yard-line.
“We need to play with more consistency, precision and detail,” Napier said. “We need to stack plays within possessions.”
Napier said Monday he will remain the Gators’ play caller. On Wednesday, he said he plans to stay the course, echoing Kelly’s sentiments.
“When adversity hits, you need to elevate and you definitely don’t need to shrink back,” Napier said. “We’re gonna double down on who we are and go try to play a brand of football that we all can be proud of.”
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/09/10/florida-gators-football-lsu-tigers-brian-kelly-sec/
