Florida Gators change date for the Orange and Blue Debut
The Florida Gators will be having their first live spring game in three years next month. That date was originally scheduled for April 16, but UF has made the decision to move it to Thursday, April 14.
“We’re really excited to announce we’re moving [the game] to Thursday night, April the 14th with a 7:30 p.m. kickoff,” Billy Napier said in a statement. “The game will be streamed live on SEC Network[+] in The Swamp, under the lights, April 14th, 7:30 kickoff.”
The decision to change the game is to get away from a packed spring game weekend. Alabama, Miami, Georgia, Arkansas, Ohio State, Michigan State, South Carolina and UCF are among the more than a dozen teams all scheduled to hold a spring game on the 16th.
Moving the Gators’ game to Thursday will allow for more recruits to attend.
The game is free and open to the public, and it will be streamed on SEC Network+. Further gameday and parking information will be announced at a later time.
“This is going to create an opportunity for us to engage the student body for the first time. We are going to be able to get them here prior to Easter break. We’re going to have some of the best recruits in the entire country here to show them what the University of Florida and Gator Nation are all about,” Napier said. “Again, this is a personal invitation for you guys to join us. We look forward to the challenges and the opportunities that are ahead of us. Thanks again and go Gators.”
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First spring game in three years
The Gators had their spring game canceled in 2020, along with every practice, due to COVID-19. The team held spring practices last year, but the final scrimmage didn’t take place in front of fans at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
UF athletics director Scott Stricklin explained the decision in a statement last February.
“Hosting fans for an intra-squad spring football scrimmage seems unwise given all the circumstances, including the fact that Ben Hill Griffin Stadium is being used as a large-scale COVID testing and vaccination site,” Stricklin said.
The move to a weekday isn’t the first time either. Florida held spring games on Friday during the Jim McElwain era in 2016 (April 8) and 2017 (April 7).
Apil 14 will be the first time that fans get to see Napier and his football team.
