OGT-Florida Gators vs LSU 10/15/2022 7:00 pm

Florida Gators (4-2, 1-2 SEC)
vs.
Florida Gators(4-2, 2-1 SEC)
October 15 // 7 p.m. // Gainesville, Fla.
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (88,548)

ESPN
Play-by-Play: Joe Tessitore
Analyst: Greg McElroy
Reporter: Katie George
Channel (Cox): 26 / 1026 [HD]
Channel (DirecTV): 206 [HD]

Gator Sports Network from LEARFIELD
Play-by-Play: Sean Kelley
Analyst: Shane Matthews
Reporter: Tate Casey
Station Freq.: Local Affiliates
Sirius Channel: 137 or 190

 

THE STORYLINE​

• Week 7 represents the 69th all-time meeting between Florida and LSU including the 34th matchup in Gainesville.

• Florida leads the series, 33-32-3, and owns a 16-14-3 advantage in Gainesville.

• The Gators are 11-6 at home vs. LSU across the last 17 meetings dating back to 1988.

• Over the last three meetings with LSU, Florida is averaging 518.0 yards per game and 378.3 passing yards per game.
» Florida has totaled 450-plus yards in three-straight games vs. LSU. Prior to this, the Gators went 10 games without surpassing 400-plus yards against the Tigers (2009-18).

• The Gators have rushed for 100-plus yards vs. LSU in six-straight games and in 10 of the last 11 meetings.

• In last year’s game in Baton Rouge, Florida totaled 488 yards backed by 350 yards passing.

• In that matchup, QB Anthony Richardson took over mid-game with the Gators behind, 28-13, in the third quarter.
» Richardson was 10-for-19 for 167 yards, 3 TD passes and 2 INTs while rushing seven times for 42 yards and one TD.

• This is the first meeting between UF HC Billy Napier and LSU HC Brian Kelly as head coaches.

• Across the team’s last three games, Florida is averaging 517.7 YPG, 303.7 passing YPG, and 214.0 rushing YPG.

• The Gators’ 6.4 yards per carry ranks third in the FBS. LSU is allowing 3.9 YPC this season (58th in FBS).
» UF has three players in the top seven in the SEC in YPC: RB Montrell Johnson Jr., RB Trevor Etienne and Richardson.

• Richardson’s five rushing TDs are tied for first among SEC QBs, t-fifth in the P5, and seventh in the FBS.

• Florida’s 213.7 rushing YPG ranks 21st in the FBS, 12th in the Power Five, and fourth in the SEC.

• The Gators’ four sacks allowed are tied for the fifth-fewest in the FBS and rank second in the SEC.
» G O’Cyrus Torrence is the top-rated guard (out of 614) in the country at 90.2, according to Pro Football Focus.

• In Week 6 vs. Missouri, nine Gators combined for 13 tackles for loss - UF’s most TFL since the 2019 opener vs. Miami.

• UF opened the season with a 29-26 upset of No. 7 Utah, which tied for UF’s highest-ranked victory in a season opener in program history. Napier became the first UF HC to defeat a ranked team in his first game at the helm.

• Florida was one of two teams to face three opponents ranked in the AP Top 25 across the first four weeks of the season (Texas Tech). UF was the only team to face three top-20 opponents through the first-four weeks.

• Florida boasts a 354-112-13 (.753) all-time record at The Swamp, holding the second-highest home winning percentage in the nation since 1990 with a 173-33 (.840) record.
» The Gators have outscored opponents, 7,755 to 3,318, in 206 games inside The Swamp since 1990, putting the average outcome at 37.6 to 16.1 (21.5 points).

• Florida has scored in 429-consecutive games dating back to 1988 -- an NCAA record and 56 games longer than any
other college football team in the history of the sport.

• In Week 5, Florida became the first program to start football in the 20th century to win 750 games.

 

TEAM INFORMATION
​

FLORIDA
Head Coach: Billy Napier
Career Record: 44-14 (27-5 Sun Belt) [5th season]
Record at UF: 4-2 (1-2 SEC) [1st season]
Bowl Record: 2-1
Rankings: RV (AP) / RV (Coaches)
2022 Record: 4-2, 1-2 SEC

LSU
Head Coach: Brian Kelly
Career Record: 288-99-2
Record at LSU: 4-2 (2-1 SEC) [1st season]

​

SERIES HISTORY

Overall: Florida leads, 33-32-3
Last Meeting: LSU 49, No. 20 Florida 42
(October 16, 2021)
Recent History: LSU, W3
UF has won 20 of last 34 since ‘88
In Gainesville: Florida leads, 16-14-3
In Baton Rouge: LSU leads, 18-17
Neutral: N/A
3 Natonal Championships // 8 SEC Championships // 751 All-Time Wins // 3 Heisman Trophy Winners
56 First-Round NFL Draft Picks // 71 First-Team All-Americans // 259 First-Team All-SEC Selections
@GatorsFB // #WeChomp
PMS 172cPMS 287cBLACKWHITE

​

NUMBERS OF NOTE

6.4 / 8.0 / 6.8 / 6.1
Florida ranks third in the FBS with 6.4 yards per
carry. Three Gators rank inside the top-seven in the SEC in yards per carry: RB Montrell Johnson Jr. (second - 8.0), RB Trevor Etienne (fourth - 6.8) and
QB Anthony RIchardson ( (seventh - 6.1)

 

GATORS AMONG MOST EFFICIENT IN FBS ON GROUND
​

• Last season, Florida experienced one of the best rushing campaigns in program history - and that output on the ground has spilled over to 2022.
» UF averaged 5.5 YPC in 2021 - the fourth-highest mark in program history, which ranked fourth in the
FBS. Meanwhile, UF averaged 208.7 rushing YPG - the 11th-highest mark in program history.

• This season, Florida ranks third in the FBS with 6.4 yards per carry. Three Gators rank inside the top-seven in the SEC in yards per carry: RB Montrell Johnson Jr. (second - 8.0), RB Trevor Etienne (fourth - 6.8) and
QB Anthony RIchardson (seventh - 6.1).
» Florida is the only SEC team with three players inside the top-10 in the conference in YPC.
» Johnson Jr. and Etienne rank second and third, respectively, among SEC running backs in YPC.

• Florida is averaging 213.7 rushing YPG, which ranks 21st in the FBS, 12th in the P5 and fourth in the SEC.

• Johnson Jr., the 2021 All-Sun Belt Freshman of the Year, and Etienne lead Florida RBs in rushing yardage with 368 yards on 46 carries and 306 yards on 45 carries, respectively.
» Only three SEC teams have two running backs with over 300 net rushing yards (Ole Miss, Tennessee).

• In Week 6 vs. Mizzou, Johnson Jr. had a team-leading 86 yards rushing on eight carries (10.8 YPC).

• After a slow first half in Week 6 that saw just one explosive play, Johnson Jr. and Etienne combined for five exposive rushing plays in the second half.
» Johnson Jr.: 41-yard rush, third quarter; Etienne: 39-yard rush, third quarter; Johnson Jr.: 36-yard rush, fourth quarter; Etienne: 16-yard rush, fourth quarter; Etienne: 16-yard rush, fourth quarter

• Florida has rushed for 200 yards in four of six games in 2022 including two-straight entering Week 7.

• UF has rushed for 100 yards in eight-straight games dating back to 2021, including all six games in 2022.

• Florida has eclipsed 100 rushing yards in 17 of its last 19 games (46 of last 57).

• Week 5 marked UF’s sixth game with three-plus players scoring a rushing TD since the start of the ‘21 season. Among SEC teams, only Tennessee (seven), Ole Miss (seven) and Georgia (seven) have more
​

 

AR OVERVIEW : WEEKS 4-6
​

• In the last three weeks, QB Anthony Richardson picked up the first two 200-yard passing games of his career.

• Richardson has a 168.0 passer rating, 58.8 comp. %, 253.0 passing YPG and five passing TDs while rushing for 148 yards (49.3 AVG) and two scores on the ground in that span.

• In Weeks 4 & 5 (at No. 11 Tennessee, vs. EWU), Richardson threw for 693 yards, four TDs and two INTs while rushing 18 times for 107 yards and two TDs - equating to 800 total yards and six multi-purpose TDs.

• Of Richardson’s 20 career touchdowns (12 passing, eight rushing), he has:
» Four scores of 70-plus yards, seven scores of 40-plus yards and nine scores of 25-plus yards
» Three 75-yard TD passes, four 40-plus-yard TD passes, five 30-plus-yard TD passes and six 25-plus-yard TD passes

• In Week 4 at No. 11 Tennessee, Richardson completed 24-of-44 passes for 453 yards and two touchdowns while rushing 17 times for 62 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.

• Richardson finished with 515 total yards of offense in Week 4, which ranks third all-time in a single game in program history. Richardson’s 515 yards of offense is the top mark in the SEC and P5 this season.
» 1. Emory Jones vs. Samford (2021) 2. Tim Tebow vs. Cincinnati (2009)

• Richardson’s 453 yards passing ranks ninth in a single game in program history and is the top mark in the P5 this year (third in FBS). Richardson broke his previous career high of 168 yards passing by 285 yards.

• Richardson became the first Florida quarterback to pass for 450-plus yards and two-plus passing touch-downs while rushing for 50-plus yards and two-plus rushing touchdowns in a single game.
» Richardson is the first FBS QB to accomplish the feat across the last three seasons - since Sept. 21, 2019, when UCLA’s Dorian Thompson-Robinson did so against Washington State.
» Richardson is one of seven FBS quarterbacks to accomplish this feat in the last 25 years.

• Richardson is the first UF QB since Tim Tebow (Nov. 10, 2007 vs. South Carolina) with 300-plus passing yards, one-plus passing TD, 50-plus rushing yards and two-plus rushing TDs in a game.

 

WEEK 5 FLASHBACK - GATORS TOTAL 666 YARDS
​

• Florida’s 666 yards tied for the sixth-highest yardage total in team history.

• Week 5 vs. EWU marked the sixth time since 1996 that Florida has passed for 350-plus yards and rushed for 250-plus yards in the same game, and the first time since Nov. 11, 2021 vs. Samford (717 total yards).
» Florida is one of six FBS teams to accomplish this feat in 2022 and one of three teams (Appalachian State, Ohio State) to do so in each of the last two seasons (only accomplished 20 total times since 2021).

• The Gators scored 50 points for the first time since scoring 70 points against Samford on Nov. 13, 2021.

• In Week 5, Florida recorded three touchdowns of 60-plus yards for the first time in the last 25 seasons.

• Florida recorded a 75-yard touchdown pass and 75-yard touchdown rush in the same game for the third time since 1996. Previous instances: Sept. 11, 2021 at USF and Sept. 15, 2012 at Tennessee.

• The Gators passed for 300 yards for the second-straight game (first two times this season)

 

FLORIDA’S DOMINANT O-LINE PLAY​

• The Gators’ four sacks allowed are tied for the fifth-fewest in the FBS and rank second in the SEC.

• Since the start of last season, Florida has out-sacked its opponents by a plus-31 margin.

• Three UF starting offensive lineman are graded inside the top-35 at their position according to Pro Football Focus: G O’Cyrus Torrence (#1, 90.2), T Austin Barber (#21, 79.2) and C Kingsley Eguakun (#33, 71.9)​

 

FLORIDA’S DOMINANT O-LINE PLAY
​

• The Gators’ four sacks allowed are tied for the fifth-fewest in the FBS and rank second in the SEC.

• Since the start of last season, Florida has out-sacked its opponents by a plus-31 margin.

• Three UF starting offensive lineman are graded inside the top-35 at their position according to Pro Football Focus: G O’Cyrus Torrence (#1, 90.2), T Austin Barber (#21, 79.2) and C Kingsley Eguakun (#33, 71.9)

 

RECEIVERS: PEARSALL & SHORTER LEAD THE WAY​

• WR Ricky Pearsall, who ranks second on the team with 254 yards receiving on 14 catches (two TDs), is graded as the No. 93 WR nationally with a 76.0 grade, according to PFF.

• Pearsall has caught a pass in 21-consecutive games.

• Pearsall broke off a 76-yard touchdown run to put Florida ahead, 28-3, in the second quarter againstEastern Washington in Week 5.

• Pearsall’s 76-yard TD run is the longest rush by an FBS WR this season and ranks t-10th in the FBS across the last five seasons.

• Pearsall’s rush is also tied for the third-longest run by a UF wide receiver in the last 25 years, and was the longest since Josh Hammond’s 76-yard TD rush vs. Kentucky on Sept. 14, 2019.

• This is just the fourth time a UF WR has posted a run of 70-plus yards since 1996.

• This marked Florida’s longest rush since Richardson’s 80-yard TD scamper at USF on Sept. 11, 2021.

• WR Justin Shorter ranks third in the FBS with 22.3 yards per catch. His 334 yards receiving leads the Gators.

• In Week 5 vs. EWU, Shorter followed up his career-high 155-yard receiving performance at Tennessee in Week4 with a 75-yard TD on Florida’s first play from scrimmage. This was the first time Florida has scored on its opening play since Oct. 1, 2011 vs. Alabama.

 

OFFENSIVE GRAB BAG
​

• Florida has allowed just four sacks in 2022, which is tied for the fifth-fewest in the FBS (second in SEC).

• Over the last five seasons, the Gators rank ninth in the Power Five with 454.3 scrimmage yards per game and 13th in the Power Five with 34.2 points per game, ranking third and fourth in the SEC, respectively.

• Since 2018, UF ranks sixth in the P5 in passing efficiency (154.5) and 11th in TD-INT ratio (2.75).

• Florida has out-gained its opponents in 15 of 19 games dating back to last season .

• The Gators have had 500-plus yards in two of the last three games and in 14 of their last 31 games.

• Florida has amassed 400-plus total yards in four of six games this season, as well as 20 times in its last 29 games, and 33 of the last 48.

• Florida rushed for 200-plus yards 22 times in its last 57 games including 10 times since 2021.
• UF scored 30-plus points 35 times in 57 games since 2018, including scoring 30-plus in 22 of the last 33.

• UF scored 40 points eight times in the last 57 games and five times in 20 games the last two seasons.

• The Gators have scored 50 points seven times in the last 57 games.

 

FOURTH DOWN DOMINANCE​

• Florida is tied for 16th in the nation and ranks t-second in the SEC with nine fourth-down conversions, having been successful on nine of 13 attempts (69.2%). Meanwhile, UF has allowed just three fourth-
down conversions (3-for-11, 27%), which is tied for the 15th-fewest in the FBS.

• In Week 4, UF’s five fourth-down conversions (80.0%) was the team’s most since Sept. 26, 2015, vs. Tennessee and was just the second time in the last 25 years the Gators have done so.​

 

LONG-TERM DEFENSIVE TRENDS​

• Florida ranks second in the SEC and fifth nationally in sacks since the 2018 season with 169 - trailing only Clemson (205), Pittsburgh (202), Alabama (186) and Oklahoma State (170).
» Last season, the Gators were only outsacked by its opponents in three games.
» Since 1996, UF is tied for 13th in the FBS with 842 sacks and rank second in the SEC behind Alabama at 858.

• Since the start of the 2021 season, the Gators have out-sacked its opponents by a plus-31 margin.

• UF has held opponents to a 53.9 passing completion percentage since 1996, which ranks seventh-lowest in the FBS and third in the SEC.

• Since 1996, The Gators are third nationally in interceptions with 406 and lead the SEC with the next closest team, Alabama, 17 picks behind.
» Florida is tied for third in the SEC with six interceptions this season.
» The Gators have recorded an interception in three of the six games this season - No. 7 Utah (1), No. 20
Kentucky (1), USF (2) and Missouri (2).

• Florida’s defense has produced 550 turnovers since 2000, leading the SEC and tied for ninth in the country

 

DEFENSIVE YOUTH​

• Nine Florida defensive players have made their collegiate debuts through the first five games this season, including ten that appeared for the first time as a Gator.
» Six players - LB Shemar James, DL Chris McClellan, S Miguel Mitchell, CB Devin Moore, DL Tyreak Sapp and S Kamari Wilson - all made their collegiate debuts in the season opener vs. No. 7 Utah and
have appeared in every game this season.
» James started at LB, becoming the first Gator true freshman to start a season opener since Marco Wilson vs. Michigan in 2017 and the first true freshman LB since David Reese II vs. South Carolina in 2016.
» James ranks sixth on the team in tackles (27), t-third in sacks (1.0) and t-third in QB hurries (3).
» At No. 11 Tennessee, James recorded his first-career sack in the first quarter, getting to Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker for a six-yard loss. The sack also marked his first-career TFL. » Wilson earned his first-career start vs. Eastern Washington. The last true freshman to start for the Gators at safety was Trey Dean III in 2018 vs. Colorado State.
» Freshman LB Jack Pyburn and Sophomore DL Keenan Landry both made their college debuts vs. Eastern Washington as Pyburn had a solo tackle.

• Georgia transfer DB Jalen Kimber made his UF debut and finished with two tackles vs. No. 7 Utah.
» His 39-yard interception return TD vs. USF in the second quarter represented Florida’s first pick-six since CJ Gardner-Johnson’s 30-yard interception return TD against Michigan in the Chick-Fil-A Peach
Bowl on Dec. 29, 2018. The pick-six marked Florida’s 51st since 1996.

• Florida underclassmen (Fr.-R. Soph) have accounted for 150 of Florida’s 454 total tackles this season.

• Sophomore CB Jason Marshall Jr. has started all six games this season for a total of 13 all-time.
» DL Desmond Watson started his first-career game at No. 11 Tennessee.
» DL Justus Boone started his first-career game vs. Eastern Washington.

• The freshman duo of Mitchell (forced) and McClellan (recovered) teamed up for the forced fumble and recovery against Eastern Washington in the second quarter

 

TURNOVERS TRENDING IN 2022
​

In the last three weeks, QB Anthony Richardson picked up the first two 200-yard passing games of his career.

• Richardson has a 168.0 passer rating, 58.8 comp. %, 253.0 passing YPG and five passing TDs while rushing for 148 yards (49.3 AVG) and two scores on the ground in that span.

• In Weeks 4 & 5 (at No. 11 Tennessee, vs. EWU), Richardson threw for 693 yards, four TDs and two INTs while rushing 18 times for 107 yards and two TDs - equating to 800 total yards and six multi-purpose TDs.

• Of Richardson’s 20 career touchdowns (12 passing, eight rushing), he has:
» Four scores of 70-plus yards, seven scores of 40-plus yards and nine scores of 25-plus yards
» Three 75-yard TD passes, four 40-plus-yard TD passes, five 30-plus-yard TD passes and six 25-plus-yard TD passes

• In Week 4 at No. 11 Tennessee, Richardson completed 24-of-44 passes for 453 yards and two touchdowns while rushing 17 times for 62 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.

• Richardson finished with 515 total yards of offense in Week 4, which ranks third all-time in a single game in program history. Richardson’s 515 yards of offense is the top mark in the SEC and P5 this season.
» 1. Emory Jones vs. Samford (2021) 2. Tim Tebow vs. Cincinnati (2009)

• Richardson’s 453 yards passing ranks ninth in a single game in program history and is the top mark in the
P5 this year (third in FBS). Richardson broke his previous career high of 168 yards passing by 285 yards.

• Richardson became the first Florida quarterback to pass for 450-plus yards and two-plus passing touchdowns while rushing for 50-plus yards and two-plus rushing touchdowns in a single game.
» Richardson is the first FBS QB to accomplish the feat across the last three seasons - since Sept. 21, 2019, when UCLA’s Dorian Thompson-Robinson did so against Washington State.
» Richardson is one of seven FBS quarterbacks to accomplish this feat in the last 25 years.

• Richardson is the first UF QB since Tim Tebow (Nov. 10, 2007 vs. South Carolina) with 300-plus passing yards, one-plus passing TD, 50-plus rushing yards and two-plus rushing TDs in a game.

 

THE RETURN OF HILL​

• After missing last season due to an injury and the beginning of the 2022 campaign, CB Jaydon Hill has started the last two games for the Gators.
» His season debut vs. Eastern Washington marked 641 days since his last appearance, which was in the Cotton Bowl vs Oklahoma in 2020.

• In his second start, he recorded two interceptions, including a 49-yard interception return touchdown in the first quarter vs. Missouri.
» The first pick marked his first-career interception and first-career touchdown.
» His first interception also represented Florida’s longest pick-six since Ventrell Miller’s 82-yard interception return touchdown vs. Idaho on Nov. 17, 2018
» Hill became the first Florida player with two interceptions and a pick-six in the same game since CJ
Gardner-Johnson vs. Michigan in the Peach Bowl on Dec. 29, 2018.

• The second interception late in the 3rd quarter setup a nine play, 91-yard touchdown drive that put Florida ahead, 24-10, with a nine-yard touchdown pass from Anthony Richardson to Ricky Pearsall early in the 4th quarter.

 

DEFENSIVE VETERANS PAVING THE WAY
​

• In all six games this season, a Gator veteran has finished as the team-leader in tackles - DB Trey Dean
III (three), DB Rashad Torrence II (two) and LB Ventrell Miller (one).

• Dean III has broken up 17 passes and is eight away from tying Janoris Jenkins (2008-10), who is tied for 10th all-time at UF with 25.
» Dean III sits at 221 career tackles, tied for 8th among active players in the SEC and 78th in the FBS.

• Torrence II is tied for 51st nationally in total tackles and ranks fifth among safeties.

• JR LB Tre’Vez Johnson’s interception in the fourth quarter set up the game-winning touchdown for
the Gators in a 31-28 victory over USF.
» It marked his third-career pick with his last coming at Kentucky in 2021.

• DL Gervon Dexter Sr. and Dean III combined for the Gators’ first sack of the season on Kentucky’s second play of its opening drive.
» Dexter Sr. was second on the team with seven tackles vs. the Wildcats as he added a pass breakup and his second-career interception.
» His first interception came at Ole Miss in 2020 during his collegiate debut.
» Dexter Sr. is the first UF player to be credited with a sack and an interception in the same game since Mohamoud Diabate vs. Kentucky on Nov. 28, 2020.

• In his 46th career game in the Orange & Blue, LB Amari Burney sealed a 29-26 season-opening victory over No. 7 Utah with his third-career interception, which came in the endzone with 0:17 remaining in the fourth quarter.

• JACK Brenton Cox Jr. earned SEC Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week Honors in Week 1 for his career-high 10 tackle performance.
» He has posted 11 games game as a Gator with two-plus QB hurries
» In 30 career games with Florida, he has produced 34 QBHs and 30 TFLs
» Against Missouri, he and DL Princely Umanmielen each had for 3.0 TFLS and a sack for a total
loss of 23 yards

 

SPECIAL TEAMS
​

• The Gators have only punted once time across the team’s last 10 quarters.
• K Adam Mihalek recorded his first career FG of 39 yards on the Gators’ second drive vs. No. 20 Kentucky.
» Mihalek nailed a 50-yarder in the second quarter vs. UK, marking UF’s longest since Jace
Christmann hit a 51-yard field goal at Kentucky last season.
• LB Diwun Black successfully recovered Mihalek’s onside kick in the 4th quarter at No. 11 Tennessee
» The last time the Gators recovered their own onside kick was in 2000 on the opening kickoff
vs. Ball State by kicker Jeff Chandler.
• P Jeremy Crawshaw is averaging 44.5 yards per punt in 12 attempts this season.
» He knocked a season-high of 54 yards vs. No. 20 Kentucky and USF for his 23rd career punt of
50-plus yards in 64 career punts.
» Crawshaw also placed his lone punt at No. 11 Tennessee on the one-yard line.
» He did not punt at all vs. Eastern Washington. The last time the Gators were not forced to punt
was in 2013 vs. Kentucky.
• Freshman K Trey Smack made his collegiate debut, handling kickoff duties vs. Eastern Washington
» In 14 total kickoffs, he has posted 10 touchbacks with an average of 64.5 yards.

• WR Xzavier Henderson’s 48-yard punt return marked a career high as well as Florida’s longest return of the 2022 season.
» Henderson’s return represented Florida’s longest since Kadarius Toney’s 50-yard punt return- touchdown on Nov. 28, 2020 vs. Kentucky.

 

Florida vs LSU Gameday Program - Publications

 

Florida-LSU: What You Need to Know​

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Gators are back in The Swamp Saturday as they play host to the LSU Tigers in front of a sold-out crowd with a 7 p.m. kickoff. Fans are encouraged to arrive early and to add their Mobile Tickets to their digital wallet prior to heading to the stadium for faster and more efficient gate access.
Welcome Back to the Swamp!

• Gator Walk begins 2 hours and 20 minutes before kickoff.
• Enjoy night game fireworks as well as an enhanced team entrance with flame towers, lights and smoke on the field.
• Check out the 'Tom Petty Day' Interactive 360 video booth outside Gate 1 prior to the game.
• Reconfigured video board displays provide a fan-friendly layout.
• Gators Always, Swamp Open, & Thunderstruck videos have a new look this season.
• Join in celebrating the inaugural Tom Petty Day at The Swamp
• Be part of the new Gator Lights Show during "I Won't Back Down" in the third quarter break
• Mick Hubert is LSU "Mr. Two Bits."
• Enter the Gators 50|50 Raffle.
• Fly over: F18F Super Hornets from the VFA-2 Bounty Hunters stationed at NAS Lemoore, CA.

Know Before You Go

• Arrive early as general public gates open at 5:30 p.m.
• Premium location entrances will open at 5 p.m.
• Fans are encouraged to follow Waze App for Directions and Road Closures.
• Don't Wait Until the Gate: For faster and more efficient gate access, fans should be ready by adding their Mobile Tickets to their digital wallet. This will greatly reduce issues entering the stadium.
• Fans are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy pregame activities.
• Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

Gates Open 90 Minutes Before Kickoff
General public gates at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium will open at 5:30 p.m. this weekend, while premium areas will open at 5 p.m. For faster and more efficient gate access, fans should be ready by adding their Mobile Tickets to their digital wallet. This will greatly reduce issues entering the stadium.
Join The Pregame Fun
Tailgating, Gator Walk Village and Fan Fest set the tone for the action in The Swamp.

Check out the Tom Petty Day-themed interactive 360 video booth outside Gate 1 before heading to the north lawn to welcome the team at Gator Walk, which is set to begin approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes before kickoff.

Once in the stadium, fans can enjoy connectivity with #GatorsWIFI, watch another game on the video scoreboards and make sure they are in place for all of the pre-game activities, including Mr. Two Bits, the mascot entrance, the Gators Marching Band and team entrance. Gators Always, Swamp Open, & Thunderstruck videos have a new look this season.

This season fans can experience an enhanced team entrance with flame towers, lights and smoke on the field. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium also now features reconfigured video board displays, providing a fan-friendly layout with additional stats, out of town scores, and game day information.
Gators 50|50 Raffle
Fans can enter the Gators 50|50 Raffle beginning at 8 a.m. every Wednesday prior to home games and up until the end of the third quarter. The winner takes half of the jackpot and the other half goes to Gator Boosters to support Gators student-athletes. Fans must be in the state of Florida at the time of entry.

Enter the Gators 50|50 Raffle Now
Food & Concessions
The Moschellas Food Court on the West side of the stadium provides a variety of food options, including Classic Italian, Moschellas Special, Chicken Spady and Caprese Sub sandwiches. Additionally, fans can enjoy jumbo cookies, kettle corn, caramel corn and candy, as well as a variety of beers.

Concession areas are also conveniently located in the North end of the stadium near the two helixes. Fans can enjoy Dippin' Dots, BBQ, sausage and peppers, burgers, grilled chicken, hot dogs, cheese steak and loaded nachos. Beverages include, 24oz Bud Light, Lite, and the new pineapple High Noon, along with nonalcoholic beverages.

Fans will also be able to enjoy Tijuana Flats again this season, serving tacos, loaded nachos, and chips with guacamole and salsa.

West University Avenue, adjacent to Gator Walk Village, will feature these food trucks on Saturday:

• B'z Gelatti
• Pardon My Cheesesteak
• Chili Wagon
• May Flower
• Cook Boys BBQ
• Fat Tiki
• Cilantro Taco

The trucks will open at 4 p.m.

Fans can swing by the Gator Sportshop to gear up with the latest Gators swag, including items from the Tom Petty Day X Florida Collection.

More Pre-Game Festivity Information
Mobile Tickets
To improve security, reduce the risk of ticket fraud and improve fan convenience, all tickets for Florida Gators athletic events can be accessed through a mobile device.

• Download the Florida Gators App (App Store | Google Pay).
• Don't Wait Until the Gate: For faster, more efficient gate access, log into your ticket account and add your tickets to your Apple Wallet or Google Pay account. This will greatly reduce issues entering the stadium. (Learn How)
• Screenshots of tickets will not be accepted.
• A limited number of tickets are still available for this game and the South Carolina game on Nov. 12 by clicking here.

For ticketing assistance on game day, fans should visit the ticket office located at Gate 1 of the O'Connell Center which opens 3 hours prior to kickoff.

Parking on Gameday
The UAA has customized the Waze Traffic App for Game Day to help fans avoid restricted on-campus streets and find the best route to their desired parking location. Select a lot from your mobile device or desktop computer, and the Waze App will provide the best-available route to the entrance of the destination.

• Eligible accounts will receive physical passes in the mail. For more information contact (352) 375-4683 ext. 5000
• Fan should be aware of road closures around campus for game day festivities, security, and construction. (Learn More)

Limited number of lots that are not reserved are available on a first-come, first-served basis. These lots fill up quickly. Parking on the grass and sidewalks is NOT permitted and any vehicles doing so are at risk of being towed.

More Parking Information
Shuttles
As public parking lots are very limited around the stadium, fans can take advantage of the available shuttles. Game ride tickets can be purchased using the PASSPORT Transit app (App Store | Google Pay) in advance, or on the day of the game using a credit card. Tickets can also be purchased at Park and Ride locations the day of game with cash only.

More Shuttle Information
Campus Access
The following restrictions go into effect three hours prior to kickoff.

• There will be no game day traffic allowed into campus through Newell Drive and Archer Road (East of UF Health Shands Hospital)
• Museum Road from Hull Road, in addition to Radio Road from Southwest 34th Street, onto Museum Road will closed and become a shuttle lane three hours before kickoff.
• If you are trying access Gale Lemerand Drive north of Museum Road, you will need a parking pass starting four hours before the game.
• West University Avenue closes three hours prior to kickoff from Gale Lemerand Drive to NW 17th Street.

Fans should also be aware that Fletcher Drive is no longer a two-way street. Turning south from University Avenue is not permitted.
Staying Cool & Hydrated
The environment at the Swamp can provide a unique advantage on the field. But in the stands, it is important for fans to remain cool and hydrated.
Fans can bring one commercially produced (ex. Aquafina) empty plastic water bottle (max 20 oz) and fill up at the several filling stations inside the stadium.

More Hydration & Cooling Information
Restrooms
Inside the Stadium: Please refer to the Stadium Map.

Outside the Stadium: Before entering the stadium, fans may utilize restrooms located across campus, starting at 8 a.m.

• Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex
• James G. Pressly Stadium
• Flavet Field Restroom building
• Reitz Union
• UF Law School - Starting at noon
• Stephen C. O'Connell Center - Starting at 2 p.m.

Mobile Restroom Units will also be available throughout campus, starting at 9 a.m. on game day.

• Parking Garage 109
• Parking Garage 114
• UF Library West
• UF Music Building
• North Lawn of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gator Walk Village
• RV City at Condron Family Ballpark -- Open for RV City users starting Friday after 4 p.m.

For a map of restrooms around campus, click here.

Family Restrooms are for those fans with small children and guests with disabilities, and are located on the West side of the Stadium inside the Gate 2 corridor between sections 6 and 8, and behind section 15. Prior to kickoff and before entering the Stadium, fans may utilize the restrooms inside the main atrium of Exactech Arena at Stephen C. O'Connell Center.

Baby Changing Stations are located in various restrooms throughout Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

• North End Zone: Gate 8 (Women's) & Gate 7 (Men's)
• South End Zone: Gate 18 (Men's)
• East Side: Section 36 (Women's) & Section 40 (Men's)
• West Side: Gate 2 (Men's & Women's)

In-Game Experience and Traditions
The Swamp is home to one of the most unique environments in college football. Once in their seats, fans will be able to experience and take part in the traditions that make Gator Nation one of the most exciting fanbases in college football:
I Won't Back Down
Florida Gators fans honor Gainesville, Florida, native Tom Petty in between the third and fourth quarters by singing "I Won't Back Down," one of the late artist's biggest hits. The song first played on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017, against the LSU Tigers in which 90,000 fans sang along.
It's Tom Petty Day at the Swamp
The Swamp will rock to the tune of Tom Petty this weekend as the Gators will celebrate the inaugural Tom Petty Day at The Swamp. Gator Nation will honor the legendary music icon and Gainesville native all weekend long.

The festivities will include:

• Airstream pop-up shops featuring the Tom Petty Day X Florida Collection.
• Tom Petty Radio, channel 31, on SiriusXM will broadcast live from outside Spurrier's Friday night and from the North Lawn on Saturday.
• Tom Petty Day Interactive 360 video booth outside Gate 1.
• Limited-edition souvenir cups commemorating Tom Petty Day will be available at concession stands throughout the stadium.
• The first 10,000 fans in attendance will receive "Won't Back Down" rally towels courtesy of T-Mobile.
• Tom Petty hit songs and custom mixes during breaks in the action.
• Tom Petty-themed performances by the Florida Gators Spirit Teams and the Gator Marching Band.
• Download the Gators Mobile App and join the Gator Lights Show during "I Won't Back Down" in the third quarter break.

For complete details on all the events surrounding Tom Petty Day at The Swamp, visit the official Tom Petty Day at The Swamp website at FloridaGators.com/TomPettyDay.

Tom Petty Day at The Swamp

Read More About This Year's Football Theme Days
UF Marching Band
It's important to arrive early and stay in your seats at halftime, so as to not miss out on a special Tom Petty tribute performance by the University of Florida's Fightin' Gator Marching Band.
Honorary Two Bits
Join in one of the Swamp's most iconic moments prior to kickoff with the Celebrity "Mr. Two Bits" cheer.




More Traditions Information