LAS VEGAS – Florida saved its worst for last. The Gators ended Year 1 of the Billy Napier era on the lowest of low notes, falling to No. 14 Oregon State 30-3.

Napier’s squad looked like it could hang with the Beavers in the early going, but 3rd-down play on both sides of the ball allowed the Beavers to jump out to a double-digit lead that turned into a full-on blowout in the second half. For the orange and blue, every fear of a bowl game with a depleted roster was realized, leading to over 3 hours of loathing.

Florida fell behind early due to trouble finishing drives. In the 1st quarter, the Gators were on the move to potentially strike first, having moved 54 yards to the Oregon State 32-yard line. Back-to-back false starts, though, turned 3rd-and-6 into 3rd-and-16. The drive ended with a missed 52-yard field goal attempt.

On Florida’s next possession, Napier elected to go on 4th-and-8. Again, though, the Gators left opponent territory without points as Miller had nowhere to go with his throw.

The quarterback change produced some offensive line issues for the Gators, who had 3 first-half false starts.

The Florida defense’s familiar 3rd-down struggles showed up again Saturday. Pass interference on 3rd-and-12 kept an Oregon State drive alive. OSU’s Deshaun Fenwick promptly followed up with a 29-yard run to the Florida 13-yard line. The Gators were able to prevent the drive from ending in a touchdown, but OSU’s lead became 10-0 with a 27-yard field goal on 4th-and-6.

On the opening possession of the second half, an Oregon State 3rd-and-5 was bailed out by offsides on the Florida defense. Later in the drive, a late hit moved the Beavers up an extra 12 yards to the UF 12-yard line. OSU took advantage, making it 17-0.

The game got out of hand when UF’s first possession of the 3rd quarter ended in disaster. The Gators were on their own 14-yard line when they lined up to punt. OSU blocked the punt, recovering at the UF 7-yard line. It quickly became a 24-0 ballgame.

Florida entered Saturday averaging 213.67 rushing yards per game, which ranks No. 3 in the SEC. Oregon State, the No. 20 rushing defense in the country, kept the Gators from ever getting going on the ground.

Seeing his first action of the season, Gators QB Jack Miller looked very much like a 3rd-stringer. Miller had a string of 6-straight completions in the first half, but that was about it for passing game positives.

Oregon State OLB Andrew Chatfield Jr., a Florida transfer, was fired up to face his former team and made his presence felt, bringing pressure and recording a sack.

Florida will depart Las Vegas bankrupt of any momentum for a long offseason, finishing with a 6-7 record.