Good Morning Gators: Orange & Blue Game Preview; Team rosters; Visitors list
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Florida fans will get their first glimpse of Billy Napier’s Gators tonight in the Orange & Blue Game.
UF’s first spring game since 2019 will kick off at 7:30 p.m. in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Admission is free and the game will be streamed live on SEC Network+.
The Gators held a scrimmage in The Swamp last Saturday and will conclude spring camp with the Orange & Blue Game. Napier’s emphasis Thursday will be his #UFormula.
“I think overall we want to go execute our formula in terms of how we win games,” Napier said. “I think we say, ‘On the ball, attack the ball.’ So, the turnover margin is, obviously, the most significant statistic relative to playing winning football. We want to be situation experts relative to the down and distance of the field zone, the clock. We want to master our craft, which is all about techniques and fundamentals.
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“And then we want to be aggressive in all three phases and the collective effort of all three issues being an issue for the other team. Then we want to finish. We talk about legendary finish and that’s finishing plays, it’s finishing possessions and ultimately, it’s finishing the game. It doesn’t change. The formula has worked for us. Typically, when you go back and look at a competition, it comes down to the basic things. We got to do the simple things well and that’s what I see we think we need to improve.”
In other Florida football news
- Orange & Blue Game Preview: The Billy Napier era begins on Thursday night as the Gators hold their first spring game in three years.
- Florida has revealed its rosters for Thursday’s spring game, with all of the players, coaches and staff members splitting into two teams.
- Why UF assistant offensive line coach Darnell Stapleton keeps his Super Bowl XLIII ring tucked away in front of recruits.
- Power ranking Florida’s position groups, now looking at the defensive side of the ball.
UF recruiting roundup
- Florida is expected to host more than 40 recruits for the Orange & Blue Game, including a pair of five-star prospects.
- UF’s academic prestige has increased the Gators’ chances with offensive lineman Sam Pendleton, who visited this week.
- 2023 wide receiver Tamarcus Cooley landed an offer from Florida on Tuesday and already has plans to take an official visit.
- UF is in the top five range for Landen Thomas, the No. 1-ranked tight end in the Class of 2024. He attended practice Tuesday.
Gators sports roundup
- Florida guard Kowacie Reeves plans to enter the transfer portal, but could still remain at UF.
- LSU transfer Alex Fudge has joined forces with the Gators, announcing his decision Wednesday.
- On Wednesday, Florida officially announced the signing of Belmont transfer guard Will Richard.
Let’s keep talking
Want to keep the conversation going? Head over to our Florida message board, Swamp Talk. Gators Online is running a spring camp promo. Sign up here and join the discussion for just $10, which will cover the next four months.
Gators Twitter updates
- New men’s basketball coach Todd Golden (Blue) and women’s basketball coach Kelly Rae Finley (Orange) will serve as the honorary captains in this year’s game:
- Cormani McClain, the nation’s No. 1 cornerback and a consensus top-five overall recruit, will be the headliner on Florida’s visitors list for the spring game:
