GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Gators’ 2024 season opener against their in-state rival, Miami, in The Swamp, will kick off at 3:30 p.m. on August 31. ESPN announced the schedule on Tuesday.
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This game marks the 57th meeting between the Gators and the Hurricanes. Their last encounter was in 2019 when Florida defeated Miami in Orlando with a 24-20 decision in a “Week Zero” contest. This will also be their first match in Gainesville since 2008 when the Gators won against Miami 26-3 in front of a 91,000-strong crowd.
Miami holds a 29-27 lead in the series, which first started in 1938.
Florida head coach Billy Napier spoke earlier this week on the matchup against the Hurricanes. “First of all we have a tremendous amount of respect, Napier said. Much like growing up and keeping track of University of Florida football, you go back to my middle school, high school, the early parts of my coaching career, I think that’s when Miami was thriving and we certainly have a ton of respect for that. Anytime you’re playing an instate opponent I think there’s going to be a little something extra on the line.”
“I think our players know their players. I have a ton of respect for Mario (Cristobal). I think what he’s done as a position coach, head coach, and they’re certainly improving. They’ve done a good job of improving their roster. It’s going to be a great game. I mean, can you imagine? It doesn’t get much better than Miami in the Swamp to open the season. It’s going to be very competitive and we look forward to that challenge.”
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