When Florida football coach Billy Napier called a timeout with 1:52 remaining and UF up 29-21 on Texas, it raised a few eyebrows.
Texas had no timeouts remaining, while the Florida Gators were in position to run as much clock as possible in an effort to close out the game.
But an equipment snafu wound up playing a role in Napier’s decision, which, as it turns out, was justified.
Florida starting left tackle Austin Barber lost his helmet on the play, which automatically stops the play clock, per Rule 3-3-6 of the NCAA rulebook.
Barber was forced to leave the game. The oppsing team (Texas) had the option of agreeing to a 10-second runoff on the play, which it declined. Had it been accepted, the game clock would have started with the play clock on the refs’ signal. But because it was declined, by rule, the game clock doesn’t start until the snap of the ball.
By calling the time out with the clock stopped, it allowed Napier to get Barber back in the game for the third down play. Florida failed to convert the third down, which allowed Texas to get the ball back for one more offensive possession with 53 seconds left. UF’s defense closed the game out, but it made the game a bit more stressful than it could have had Barber not lost his helmet.
Kevin Brockway is The Gainesville Sun’s Florida beat writer. Contact him at kbrockway@gannett.com. Follow him on X @KevinBrockwayG1. Read his coverage of the Gators’ national championship basketball season in “CHOMP-IONS!” — a hardcover coffee-table collector’s book from The Sun. Details at Florida.ChampsBook.com
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Why Florida football’s Billy Napier called questionable timeout in closing minutes vs Texas
Reporting by Kevin Brockway, Gainesville Sun / The Gainesville Sun
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