The Florida Gators have one big factor on their side coming into Saturday evening’s matchup against the Miami Hurricanes, and that is motivation. This game is more than just about getting back in the win column after two big losses in a couple of weeks; this game is about redemption and not “embarrassing” themselves like Billy Napier said happened in 2024.
The Florida Gators in 2024 opened their season at home in the Swamp with a dramatic home opener in an in-state rivalry game against the Hurricanes. In what was expected to be at least a close game, was far from it as Miami went on to annihilate the Gators 41-17 in front of a sold-out swamp of 90,544 fans. Miami drove for 529 yards compared to Florida’s 261 as the Hurricanes went on to beat down the Gators.
“It’s embarrassing, to be quite honest with you,” said Napier after that game. “That’s how I feel, that’s how our kids feel. There’s no excuses. Keep our mouths shut, show up and work. We have to do better. I do think that our players will show up and they will respond,” he stated last season.
And with those words coming from Napier, the time is now for the Gators to live up to that expectation of “doing better and responding.” No one has forgotten that day. And what fans have also not forgotten, is how badly the Gators have “embarrassed” themselves in the last two games against USF and LSU, which is what Napier said in 2024 they needed to be better at not letting happen. So coming into Saturday night, the Gators need to show up.
When asked if last season’s game was added fuel for the Gators to come out hot Saturday, Napier responded simply – “Of course,” he said.
In 2024, DJ Lagway came in for Graham Mertz when he entered the concussion protocol after facing a big hit in the game. He threw one interception in that game. This year, Lagway has recorded six interceptions and on Saturday he faces a top five-ranked defense that he can’t afford to make mistakes against.
Likewise for the Gators’ defense, Miami is averaging over 485 yards per game through the first three weeks and the Gators will be without Caleb Banks after suffering an injury against LSU, leaving the Gators with a big hole in their defensive line. They will need the next man to step up and have a big game if the Gators hope to stop Miami’s offense.
“This game if full of marquee matchups,” said Napier. “I think there’s really good players on both sides, and it’s going to be fun to watch,” he said.
It all starts at 7:30PM. And it’s a game the Gators must win if they want to take back the state and secure a win against an in-state team.