College Football Week 1 Recap: Winners and Losers - Florida's Loss to Miami Signals Trouble for Billy Napier
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The 2024 season got off to a dismal start for Florida, as the Gators suffered a 41-17 defeat at home against Miami. The Hurricanes dominated throughout the game, setting a record for the most points scored against Florida in a Week 1 matchup in Gainesville.
Aside from a brief moment of optimism sparked by Montrell Johnson’s 71-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, Florida’s offense struggled to gain traction against Miami. Quarterback Graham Mertz, entering his second season as a starter, completed just 11 of 20 passes for 91 yards before leaving the game in the second half after being hit following an interception.
Overall, the Gators managed only 139 rushing yards, and if you exclude Johnson’s big run, they averaged a mere 2.4 yards per carry with 28 attempts for just 68 yards.
Head coach Billy Napier faced harsh criticism following the loss, especially given the expectations for a turnaround after back-to-back seven-loss seasons. Florida's schedule is considered the toughest in the nation, with a challenging slate ahead. Following a game against FCS opponent Samford in Week 2, the Gators will host No. 20 Texas A&M in Week 3. The second half of the season features formidable opponents, including No. 1 Georgia, No. 4 Texas, No. 13 LSU, and No. 6 Ole Miss, capped off by a season finale against Florida State.
A win against Miami would have significantly boosted Florida's chances for bowl eligibility, but that didn’t materialize. The situation was exacerbated when former coach Dan Mullen retweeted comments during the game, a reminder of his successful tenure compared to Napier's struggles. Mullen was fired with a 5-6 record in his final season, while Napier is already the first Florida coach to record consecutive losing seasons since Raymond Wolf in 1946-47. With fan patience running thin, the prospect of a midseason change looms, but financial constraints make it unlikely, as Napier is owed $26 million if fired.
Despite the rocky start, there’s still time for Florida to recover. If they manage to navigate the challenging schedule successfully, Napier could gain some much-deserved recognition, though that seems uncertain at this stage.
Winners and Losers from Week 1 of College Football 2024
Winners
Iowa: The Hawkeyes dominated Illinois State, winning 40-0 and racking up 492 total yards—their highest since 2019. They scored 34 points in the second half, showcasing a potent offense.
Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith: The freshman wide receiver made an immediate impact with six receptions for 92 yards and two touchdowns in a 52-6 victory over Akron.
Nebraska QB Dylan Raiola: In his debut, Raiola threw for 238 yards and two touchdowns, leading the Huskers to a 40-7 win over UTEP. He’s set up for a breakout in a highly anticipated matchup against Colorado next week.
Utah QB Cameron Rising: Returning from a knee injury, Rising was spectacular against Southern Utah, throwing five touchdown passes and accumulating 254 yards on just 15 attempts.
Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan: McMillan set a school record with 304 receiving yards and three touchdowns in Arizona’s 61-39 victory over New Mexico.
Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer: In his first game post-Saban, DeBoer led Alabama to a 63-0 rout of Western Kentucky, with QB Jalen Milroe throwing for 200 yards and three touchdowns.
Arkansas OC Bobby Petrino: Arkansas scored 70 points without a single turnover or field goal attempt, showcasing an explosive offense in their 70-0 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
Losers
Clemson: The Tigers fell 34-3 to No. 1 Georgia, marking a second consecutive game without a touchdown against the Bulldogs. Clemson’s struggles are evident as they have not scored against Georgia since 2014.
Virginia Tech: Entering the season with hopes of contending for the ACC, Virginia Tech lost 34-27 to Vanderbilt in overtime after a disappointing start, leaving fans frustrated.
West Virginia: The Mountaineers had a disappointing 34-12 loss to Penn State, managing only 246 total yards and suffering a lengthy delay due to weather.
Minnesota: The Gophers lost a winnable game against North Carolina 19-17 after missing a potential game-winning field goal, despite holding the Tar Heels to just 252 total yards.
Texas Tech: The Red Raiders narrowly escaped with a 52-51 overtime victory against Abilene Christian, which should not have been that close, given the performance of both teams.