Napier, Gators not opposed to moving Florida-Georgia game site

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Defensive end Tyreak Sapp is one of several Gators who will be playing in the Florida-Georgia game for the first time Saturday.

Sapp has been looking forward to competing in this rivalry since high school. He’s heard stories about the “electric” environment from former teammates who’ve played at TIAA Bank Field.

“My first rodeo, baby. I’m stoked. I’m ready to go,” Sapp said. “I know it’s going to be crazy, but I’m all for it. I’m all for everything. Like, this is an environment I live for. All through high school I thought about this (game).

“I understand what it takes (to win) and I’ve seen guys do it. I just want to go out there and put my best foot forward and really just seize that moment, live there, just be there. I want to be in Jacksonville that whole day.”

Whether the rivalry remains in Jacksonville is still to be determined. The two universities released a joint statement Monday saying they will consider “a multitude of factors” regarding the future of the game and its location.

Despite Sapp’s anticipation for the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party, he’s indifferent on where the matchup takes place.

“It really doesn’t matter to me,” he said. “Either way, the field is going to still be 100 yards. It doesn’t matter, but I understand the tradition of it being in Jacksonville, which I like that.”

The Florida-Georgia game is one of the few remaining neutral-site rivalries in college football, with the crowd split between fan bases. In almost 100 meetings, the two teams have competed in Athens or Gainesville a total of only seven times.

Since a home-and-home in 1931 and 1932, the game has been played in Jacksonville every year except 1994 and 1995 when the old Gator Bowl stadium was being rebuilt for the Jaguars.

UF quarterback Anthony Richardson is cognizant of giving one team home-field advantage every other year if the matchup leaves Jacksonville.

“Honestly, that’s a great question,” Richardson said when about the game’s future location. “I’ve thought about that before the season. It’s pretty cool being in Jacksonville seeing the stadium split half and half.

“But if it was to be put at the universities, at the schools, I feel like you might give one team an advantage over the over. That’s just food for thought.”

For Florida outside linebacker Brenton Cox. Jr., a former Bulldog who’s from the state of Georgia, he thinks the rivalry would be better for recruiting if it becomes a home-and-home series.

“Jacksonville is a neutral site, but I feel like the game would be more fun for prospects if it was at home sites,” Cox said. “That’s just my opinion though, playing in both stadiums.”

Recruiting has been the driving force behind UGA coach Kirby Smart wanting to move the matchup, saying it’s a disadvantage for both schools to not be able to host prospects for such a big rivalry game.

That will change this year as Georgia, the home team in 2022, is able to provide tickets to recruits for the first time. Florida coach Billy Napier suggested that if both teams can offer tickets in the future, that could preserve the game in Jacksonville.

“The big thing here is that for the first time this year the home team gets tickets. I think we’ve come to an agreement there. There is precedent for that. Maybe this game is the one that provides precedent for neutral site both teams to get tickets. Maybe that’s the case,” Napier said. “There is no question that Game Day and in particular these types of games create recruiting opportunities. So, this environment, this experience for a player, can have a significant impact on a player’s decision.

“I mean, I completely understand what Kirby is saying. Every other year he’s missing out on what he knows will be a fantastic venue and Game Day experience. It being right down the road, it’s really for both teams to some degree there is some advantages and disadvantages here. But I think we’ll continue to put our heads together, not only the coaching staff, but the administrations. But since 1933 the game has been played in Jacksonville, so a lot of history and tradition there.”