GATORS

Colin Castleton had 20 points and nine rebounds, Kyle Lofton added 14 points and Florida used a 13-0 run late in the second half to upend No. 2 Tennessee 67-54 on Wednesday night.

Jaden Rashada, a top quarterback prospect in the 2023 class, has been released from his national letter of intent by Florida.

Florida has granted quarterback Jaden Rashada a release from his national letter of intent.

A top recruit in Florida's 2023 class has requested a release from his national letter of intent due to an NIL deal falling through.

Florida has formally dismissed quarterback Jalen Kitna from the team following his arrest on five child pornography charges that police said included an image of a man having sex with a young girl. Kitna, 19, returned with his parents, retired NFL quarterback Jon Kitna and wife Jennifer, to Burleson, Texas. Although Kitna remained enrolled in classes Friday, the University Police Department issued him a trespass warning that bars him from campus for three years, pending the outcome of his court case.

Three key takeaways from the state’s football scene this past weekend -- and a glimpse at what’s to come next week.

Three key takeaways from the state’s football scene this past weekend -- and a glimpse at what’s to come next week.

Daijun Edwards and Kenny McIntosh ran for two touchdowns each, and No_ 1 Georgia pulled away from Florida following a second-half scare to win 42-20 in the rivalry dubbed “the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party.”.

Three key takeaways from the state’s football scene this weekend.

The Florida women’s golf team finished day one of the final fall tournament at the Stanford Intercollegiate on Friday. Florida was one of the first teams to tee off at Stanford Golf Course and sits in 13th through the first 18 holes. Host Stanford is the tournament leader at 8-under. Florida tees off round two tomorrow at 3 p.m. For more Florida College News visit: www.communitynewspapers.comFor more sports coverage from NBA,NFL, to NCAA contact Julian Ojeda: julian@communitynewspapers.com

The 11th-ranked Florida volleyball team dropped a three-set contest to the Georgia Bulldogs on Wednesday night in Exactech Arena. The Bulldogs took the first set in a tightly-contested 25-22 battle and followed with another close 25-23 win in the second. * The Gators jumped out to the 8-3 lead in the second set, forcing a Georgia timeout early. The Bulldogs took the 22-18 advantage out of the break and although the Gators pulled to within one at 24-23, Georgia held on for the 25-23 win. Georgia took as large as a five-point lead at 21-16, but the Gators fought back to within three at 21-18 to force a timeout by the Bulldogs.

Florida women’s basketball has been tabbed to finish sixth in the Southeastern Conference by conference media voters, the SEC announced Tuesday morning. Coming off their best season since the 2016 campaign, Florida, who tied for fourth in the SEC last season, ended the 2021-22 season with a 21-11 mark, including a 10-4 tally in SEC play. Tying for fourth in the conference and securing the fifth seed in the SEC Tournament, the Gators defeated five ranked opponents for the first time since the 2005-06 season, including five nationally ranked opponents in the SEC for the first time since 2004. A victory of note, Florida earned their largest margin of victory over a top-10 team when they defeated No. 7 Tennessee, 84-59, handing the Lady Vols their worst loss against an unranked squad since the AP Poll debuted in 1976.

After leading Florida to a perfect 2-0 week in conference play, two Gators earned SEC Weekly honors. Alexis Stucky was named both SEC Overall Player of the Week and Setter of the Week, while Bre Kelley earned the title of Co-Defensive Player of the Week. In Friday’s match against Mississippi State, the rookie dished out 36 assists and helped the team to a .310 hitting efficiency. She paired that effort with two digs and two blocks to help Florida earn the sweep. She paired that with a nine-kill performance in the victory, while also recording four digs and one service ace.

Three key takeaways from the state’s football scene this past weekend.

As a squad, the Gators held the Bulldogs to a .021 clip on the night, while tallying 13.0 blocks. The Gators return to action on Saturday to close out the series against Mississippi State. Notables* The Gators improve to 54-1 in the all-time series against the Bulldogs, including a 45-1 record under Mary Wise* Florida is now 49-0 in three-set matches against Mississippi State* The Gators improve to 27-0 in Starkville, Miss. Tonight we were fortunate.”Up Next* The Gators return to action on Saturday to close out the series against Mississippi State* First serve is slated for 6 p.m. 13 Florida at Mississippi State Broadcast InformationDate & Time: Oct. 15 | 6 p.m.

Members of Florida’s 1992 and 1997 football team will be invited back to Gainesville for a reunion on Saturday, Nov. 12 to be honored during the final home game of the 2022 season against South Carolina. The legendary Gators head coach welcomes his former players to join him that Saturday to recognize the vast accomplishments of the two teams. “I’m really proud and thrilled that we’re having a reunion for our ’92 and ’97 teams,” said Spurrier. For the 1997 UF football team, it’s their 25th anniversary. The highlight of the year came against top-ranked Florida State when Florida upset the Seminoles 32-29 in The Swamp.

Three key takeaways from the state’s football scene -- and a glimpse at what’s to come next week.

Three key takeaways from the state’s football scene -- and a glimpse at what’s to come next week.

Trevor Etienne’s 3-yard touchdown run with 5 minutes remaining helped No. 18 Florida rally to beat South Florida 31-28.

Three key takeaways from the state’s football scene this past weekend.

Anthony Richardson ran for three scores in his second career start, including a 2-yard scamper with 1:25 remaining, and Florida upset seventh-ranked Utah 29-26 to get the Billy Napier era off to a rousing start.

With Florida only three points away, Miami would have to post its best singles performance of the season. In the second set, Katz was not going away, and the match was on serve, 2-3, to Andrade when the match was called. In the second, Martin settled in. Martin would go on a four-game run, and the match was called while the score stood at 4-1 in the second set. He was winning 1-0 in the second set when the match was called.

The Miami Hurricanes had little response as they were handily beaten by their in-state rival Florida Gators (10-3) at Mark Light Field Sunday afternoon. The matchup was the final game of a three-day weekend series, in which Florida won two out of three contests. “I feel like all their pitchers this weekend just came out and attacked the zone,” Miami outfielder Jacob Burke said. The Gators added two more runs in the first and continued to expand their lead from there. The inning began with a solo home run by Florida first baseman Kendrick Calilao off of Miami sophomore right-hander Alex McFarlane.

“We didn’t play defense, that’s what hurt us tonight,” Miami head coach Gino DiMare said. “If we played defense, it should have been a 1-0 game going into the ninth and we’re bringing in our closer. But it didn’t work out that way, we didn’t play the defense we needed to.”Two fielding errors in the first three innings cost Miami as Florida gained a 3-0 lead in the third. He just went after hitters, he was very aggressive.”Leading 3-1 in the ninth, the Gators flashed their hitting repertoire. Miami returns to battle Florida in the series’ rubber game Sunday.

Florida has jumped into The Associated Press women's basketball poll at No. 19.

Isaiah Bowser ran for 155 yards and two touchdowns, Ryan O’Keefe had 85 yards on seven receptions, and Central Florida earned Sunshine State bragging rights by beating Florida 29-17 in the Gasparilla Bowl on Thursday night.

Previously winless Texas Southern stunned No. 20 Florida 69-54 behind PJ Henry’s 16 points and a perfect shooting night by Joirdon Karl Nicholas.

Florida has hired Louisiana-Lafayette's Billy Napier to be the Gators' next football coach.

Huddle up! Here’s a look back at this weekend on the gridiron, with three key takeaways from the state’s football scene.

USA TODAY Sports' Paul Myerberg breaks down the latest USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll.

Florida has fired coach Dan Mullen a day after his sixth loss in nine games.

Florida fired coach Dan Mullen on Sunday, a day after his sixth loss in nine games, two months after the Gators went toe to toe with defending national champion Alabama and a year after they had a chance to make the College Football Playoff. Mullen's stunning downfall and not-so-surprising departure ends a tumultuous two seasons that included mounting losses, numerous public relation missteps, NCAA sanctions and a victory against lower-division Samford that didn't seem like much for Gators fans to celebrate. Mullen finished 34-15 over four seasons at Florida that included a trip to the Southeastern Conference championship game last year and three New Year's Six bowls.

Tua Tagovailoa made a good impression in his first extensive action since the trade deadline passed and speculation about his future intensified.

Colin Castleton had 15 points, a career-high 16 rebounds and six blocks as Florida knocked off No. 20 Florida State 71-55 to end a seven-game losing streak in the series.

Here’s a look back at this weekend on the gridiron, with three key takeaways from the state’s football scene.

All of a sudden, the roof has caved in and coach Dan Mullen is starting to feel some serious heat from outraged fans.

No_ 1 Georgia and its top-ranked defense dominated Florida in the annual rivalry known as “The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party."

Huddle up! Here’s a look back at this weekend on the gridiron, with three key takeaways from the state’s football scene.

Trevin Wallace returned a blocked field goal 76 yards for the go-ahead touchdown late in the third quarter, Chris Rodriguez Jr. added a 9-yard scoring run early in the fourth and Kentucky made a final defensive stand to hold off No. 10 Florida 20-13.

Emory Jones had two touchdown passes to go along with a career-high 144 yards rushing, leading No. 11 Florida to a 38-14 victory over Tennessee on Saturday night and extending nearly two decades of dominance in the series.

Huddle up! Here’s a look back at this weekend on the gridiron, with three key takeaways from the state’s football scene.

Bryce Young’s first collegiate road start was a rousing success, a three-touchdown performance that helped top-ranked Alabama hold off No. 11 Florida 31-29 in the Southeastern Conference opener for both teams.

No. 13 Florida tuned up for the start of Southeastern Conference play with a 42-20 rout of overmatched South Florida that did little to answer the question of whether starter Emory Jones or backup Anthony Richardson is best suited to run the Gators offense.

The last time FAU faced UF resulted in a 20-14 overtime victory for the Gators back in 2015.

1 regional seed and No. 15 national seed Florida, No. 3 regional seed South Alabama and No. 4 regional seed South Florida. 4 national seed Vanderbilt while also getting swept by top national seed Arkansas in the final month of the regular season.

Oral Roberts won 81-78. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)INDIANAPOLIS – Dunk City, say hello to Max Abmas and the Golden Eagles of soaring Oral Roberts. Oral Roberts joins Florida Gulf Coast — those guys from “Dunk City” — as the only No. The Oral Roberts fans inside Indiana Famers Coliseum chanted “Cinderella” during a wild celebration after the victory. SMART FOULOne of the biggest decisions of the game came with 3:11 left after Oral Roberts pulled within 76-75.

10 seed Virginia Tech 75-70 in a first-round game on Friday. He finished with 30 points and scored the final 12 of regulation for Virginia Tech. Virginia Tech hit 5 of its first 10 3-point attempts, but made just two the rest of the way. Virginia Tech coach Mike Young said he considered keeping Aluma on the bench to start overtime. AdHINKLE'S LIGHTThe first NCAA Tournament game at Hinkle Fieldhouse in 81 years was rife with history, nostalgia and ... sunlight.

1 Florida at the brand-new Florida Ballpark in Gainesville, Florida this weekend. Recording 13 hits on the contest, Florida left the same number of players on base despite a .325 overall hitting clip. The Gators continued to slice into the eight-run deficit off of a seventh-inning RBI double from right fielder Sterlin Thompson. Miami entered the series having lost 15 of its 18 previous matchups against Florida. With its first series win over Florida since 2014, Miami returns home to face Virginia Tech in a three-game series starting next Friday.

They had to wait another two and a half hours due to rain showers in Gainesville, Florida on Friday afternoon. The Gators piled on three runs in the fifth inning, going up 4-1 and never looking back after entering the frame tied 1-1. The temperature hovered in the low 50s for most of the evening after the soaking cold front trotted through Central Florida. Florida starting pitcher Tommy Mace came out somewhat slowly, having to labor through his first three frames. Miami freshman pitcher Alejandro Rosario will make his collegiate debut against the Gators’ fourth-year arm Jack Leftwich.

11 West Virginia 85-80 on Saturday in the Big 12-SEC Challenge. Derek Culver led West Virginia (11-5) with a career-high 28 points, but he was bottled up in the second half. NICHOLS BACKFlorida assistant coach Darris Nichols faced West Virginia coach Bob Huggins for the third time. The Gators beat West Virginia in the 2016 Big 12/SEC Challenge in Gainesville, Florida, and at the 2018 Jimmy V Classic. 10 Texas Tech last Monday, Saturday's loss could prevent West Virginia from moving into the top 10 of the AP poll.

Florida guard Tre Mann (1) and Tennessee guard Davonte Gaines (0) compete for a rebound during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 19. 2021, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Matt Stamey)GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Noah Locke scored 14 points, Tyree Appleby added 13 and short-handed Florida stunned No. 6 Tennessee 75-49 on Tuesday night. Guard Scottie Lewis (COVID-19 protocols) and forward Colin Castleton (ankle) missed the game. But forward Omar Payne, starting for the first time in nearly a year, finished with nine points, nine rebounds and five blocked shots for Florida (7-4, 4-3 Southeastern Conference).

Florida coach Dan Mullen, center, watches play against Oklahoma during the first half of the Cotton Bowl NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida coach Dan Mullen wasted little time identifying problem areas following his team's worst defensive season in more than a hundred years. The Sooners racked up a whopping 684 yards — the most any team has ever gained against Florida — in the Cotton Bowl on Wednesday night. The Gators played without three defensive starters in the Cotton Bowl. Even with those give guys, Florida’s defense was mostly a debacle.

(AP Photo/Matt Stamey, File)GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida forward Keyontae Johnson is back with the team and working as a coach in practice, coach Mike White said Monday. Johnson was released from the hospital last week, 10 days after collapsing on the court at Florida State and needing emergency medical attention. “Our guys are ready to move forward, not move on from Keyontae, but move forward with him," White said. Witnesses said Johnson was standing near midcourt and suddenly fell forward and landed on his face. White said Johnson already has mentioned that he's “ready to roll” and wants to practice, but doctors will decide when and if that happens this season.

ARLINGTON, Texas – Oklahoma is going right back to the stadium where the Sooners just won their sixth Big 12 championship in a row to play SEC runner-up Florida in the Cotton Bowl. During a Gators team meeting on Zoom to discuss their bowl destination, one of the first questions players asked Mullen was where the Cotton Bowl was played. Oklahoma is in the Cotton Bowl for only the third time, its first since a 41-13 loss to Texas A&M on Jan. 4, 2013. The Cotton Bowl will be played two days before Alabama faces No. Pitts announced is turning pro and won't play in the Cotton Bowl.

11 Florida in a 52-46 shootout for the Southeastern Conference championship Saturday night. “The resiliency this team has shown this season to win 11 games is pretty phenomenal.”After falling behind 35-17 by halftime, Florida (8-3, No. Alabama had won every game in the pandemic-affected season by at least 15 points until Florida gave the Tide a scare. Florida: The Gators might’ve pulled off the upset if not for some crucial mistakes in the first half. But Florida also had two silly penalties on apparent third-down stops, extending a pair of drives that turned into touchdowns.

6 Florida 37-34 on a cool and foggy Saturday night in the Swamp. Florida didn’t help itself with three turnovers in the first half that led to 10 points and a 24-17 deficit. He fumbled trying to scramble with 10 seconds to play in the half, essentially handing LSU a field goal. Florida had first-and-10 at the LSU 15-yard line when Trask tried to connect with Kadarius Toney near the sideline. Florida: The Gators have all kinds of issues heading into the title game.

Florida standout forward Keyontae Johnson, the Southeastern Conference's preseason player of the year, collapsed coming out of a timeout against rival Florida State and needed emergency medical attention. Johnson had just dunked in transition before he fell to the floor as the team broke its huddle. Florida State pulled away from there and led 45-35 at halftime, outscoring the Gators 42-24 after Johnson's collapse. Johnson, a 6-foot-5 junior from Norfolk, Virginia, averaged a team-high 14 points last season to go along with 7.1 rebounds. Like most of his teammates, Johnson tested positive for COVID-19 during the summer.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida standout forward Keyontae Johnson, the Southeastern Conference's preseason player of the year, collapsed coming out of a timeout against rival Florida State and needed emergency medical attention. Johnson was taken off the floor on a stretcher and rushed to Tallahassee Memorial for evaluation. Johnson had just dunked in transition before he fell to the floor as the team broke its huddle. Several Gators were in tears and a couple buried their faces in towels as coach Mike White gathered his team to say a prayer. Johnson, a 6-foot-5 junior from Norfolk, Virginia, averaged a team-high 14 points last season to go along with 7.1 rebounds.

Kyle Trask threw for 433 yards and four touchdowns, and the Gators beat Tennessee 31-19 on Saturday to clinch a spot in the SEC championship game. “It felt like they threw on every snap.”Playing with a depleted roster, Tennessee (2-6) dropped its sixth consecutive game. Florida stretched a 10-point halftime advantage to 24-7 with a 75-yard drive capped by an 8-yard pass from Trask to Trevon Grimes. “I think they did a great job — Tennessee — throughout the game of giving us some different looks," Trask said. The Tennessee defense stiffened and forced the Gators into a field goal attempt from 53 yards.

Trask repeatedly torched the Razorbacks (3-4), who were without coach Sam Pittman and without much of a chance by halftime. It was the second time this season Trask tossed six TDs in a game. “I think I did a great job of executing and being efficient,” said Trask, who now has an SEC-record 28 TD passes and just three interceptions in six games. He became the third player in school history with at least 25 touchdown passes in multiple years, joining Heisman Trophy winners Tim Tebow and Danny Wuerffel. Florida: The Gators have the offense to beat anyone and the defense to keep everyone in games.

8 Florida beat fifth-ranked and undermanned Georgia 44-28 on Saturday. The Bulldogs (4-2), who entered the game as 3½-point favorites, were likely eliminated from College Football Playoff consideration and probably have a quarterback competition moving forward. Trask and the Gators took advantage, burning Georgia repeatedly with wheel routes while overcoming a 14-0 deficit. POLL IMPLICATIONSGeorgia likely will fall out of top 10 of T he Associated Press' college football poll for the first time this season. ___More AP college football: https://apnews.com/Collegefootball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25

8 Florida reported no new COVID-19 positives in the past week, the first time since September the team’s coronavirus numbers have remained steady. The Southeastern Conference postponed two of Florida’s game following a COVID-19 outbreak that included coach Dan Mullen, at least two assistants and more than 30 players. The reserve/COVID-19 list is for a player who either tests positive for COVID-19 or who has been in close contact with an infected person. ___German soccer club Hertha Berlin says defender Jordan Torunarigha has tested positive for the coronavirus. Schalke said an unnamed player had also tested positive ahead of its German Cup game against Schweinfurt on Tuesday.

10 Florida returned from a three-week layoff to handle Missouri 41-17 on Saturday night in the Swamp. It could be costly for Florida (3-1), which plays rival and fifth-ranked Georgia next week in nearby Jacksonville. The referee huddled Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz and Mullen near the goal line and then announced the ejections. Missouri defensive lineman Tre Williams, Florida defensive end Zach Carter and Florida linebacker Antwuan Powell were tossed. Florida plays Georgia in the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party, which will be limited to about 18,000 fans.

The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:___California’s men’s basketball team is pausing workouts after an unidentified player tested positive for COVID-19. ___The NFL and its players' union say eight players and 11 other personnel tested positive in the latest round of screening for COVID-19. Coach Dan Mullen, at least two assistants and more than two dozen players tested positive following a road trip to Texas A&M earlier this month. FIU has seen more than 30 players miss time this season because of positive coronavirus tests or a need to quarantine after potential exposure. Last Sunday’s game between Lens and Nantes was postponed after 11 Lens players and two staff members tested positive for COVID-19.

Florida head coach Dan Mullen reacts during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020. Mullen was given several more chances Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, to walk back bizarre comments about wanting to pack 90,000 screaming fans inside Florida Field during the coronavirus pandemic. 10 Florida is planning to start returning to its football facility Monday, nearly two weeks after the program shut down because of a COVID-19 outbreak. Coach Dan Mullen, one of more than two dozen Gators who tested positive for the coronavirus last week, sounded congested as he said the team had a new positive Wednesday. '”Mullen suggested Florida would look at potentially changing its road routine, especially in regards to the size of visiting locker rooms around the league.

___The Italian swim team’s preparations for the Tokyo Olympics are in crisis with 10 more athletes testing positive for the novel coronavirus. Olympic champion Federica Pellegrini was already at home in isolation after testing positive last week. The federation says all of the swimmers are asymptomatic and that no staff members have tested positive. ___The Mountain West football game between New Mexico and Colorado State has been canceled due to COVID-19. Overall contenders Simon Yates and Steven Kruijswijk had already been withdrawn from the race after testing positive.

10 Florida's game against defending national champion LSU was postponed Wednesday to tentatively Dec. 12 after the SEC postponed Missouri-Vanderbilt on Monday. Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason is going through a similar situation. To play, the SEC requires at least 53 on game days. Timing is critical depending on the day of the week a positive test or tracing result returns. “Every time you’re taking a test," Mason said, “you're crossing your fingers ... you don't have anybody in harm's way."

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The University of Florida has shut down football activities following a COVID-19 outbreak among the team on the school’s Gainesville campus. Florida’s athletic director released a statement saying the team has experienced a spike in positive coronavirus cases among players this week, and for that, team activities are being paused. The statement read:“The University of Florida football team has experienced an increased in positive COVID tests among players this week. Out of an abundance of caution, team activities are paused as of Tuesday afternoon. After the game, Gators head coach Dan Mullen said he wanted to pack the swamp for the LSU game, saying he wanted 90,000 fans to be allowed into the stadium.

21 Texas A&M beat fourth-ranked Florida 41-38 on Seth Small's 26-yard field goal as time expired Saturday. Kellen Mond threw a 51-yard pass to Caleb Chapman for a tying TD with about 4½ minutes to go. Florida led 28-24 early in the fourth when Spiller struck again, running 19 yards for a touchdown on a fourth-and-2 play. Spiller bounced off several defenders before waltzing into the end zone and then hitting the Florida fan section with a Gator chomp. Trask’s second TD pass came on the next drive when he found Toney for an 11-yard grab.

For much of Saturdays game between the Miami Hurricanes and Florida Gators, fans experienced dj vu from Friday as the pitchers controlled the game and the score remained low. The Canes did score two runs in the home half of the inning in a spirited effort, but it wasnt enough to extend the game as the Canes fell 7-4. Florida unloaded a crooked number on the Hurricanes, scoring five runs in a frame which featured four hits, including one from pitcher Ben Specht. Chris McMahon (1-0, 2.25 ERA) pitched for the Canes and got out of his first jam in the second inning, stranding three Florida runners with two big strikeouts. Alex Toral opened the scoring for Miami with an opposite-field solo home run in the second.

2 Gators when they squared off Friday night, with the Gators coming away with the 2-1 win. That happens, you dont realize how many times baserunners run out of the line, Miami head coach Gino DiMare said. Lala hit a double to open the inning and advanced to third on a wild pitch that escaped behind the catcher. That last inning, JD [Arteaga] felt like it was a lot of pressure pitches, which is different than an easy inning. So thats why we took him out.Tyler Keysor came in to replace Van Belle in the top of the 8th inning.

Miami will face six ranked opponents this season in what will undoubtedly be its toughest matchups. Last season, Miami went 1-2 against the Gators are were outscored 15-9 early in the season. DukeAfter Florida, Miami will compete against multiple unranked opponents until late March, when the team will go up against No. Compared to its other ranked opponents, Miami does not have much of a history against Louisville. 12 Florida State University.

By Byler HenryThe Orange Bowl saw the number 9 ranked Gators take on the 24th ranked Virginia Cavaliers. With roughly 70% gator fans in the crowd, this was an uphill battle for Virginia from the opening kickoff. The running game was excellent for Florida with Lamical Perine rushing for 138 yards on 13 carries and two touchdowns. Virginia had to rely on their passing game as their running game utilizing three running backs rushed for 52 yards combined with no touchdowns. With this being the Gators third bowl victory in a row, (2017 Outback Bowl, 2018 Peach Bowl) Florida has their eyes on competing for another bowl next season.

24 CFP) in the Orange Bowl on Dec. 30, with both teams still chasing something. South Florida is an important region for our program, and home for many Gators, Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin said. The Gators are in the Orange Bowl for the fourth time, having won each of their previous three appearances. They also won the BCS national championship game after the 2008 season, a game hosted by the Orange Bowl Committee. Theyre incredibly well-coached. Florida cornerback CJHenderson, one of the Gators top players, will not be in the Orange Bowl.

9 Florida are set to meet in the 2019 Capital One Orange Bowl on December 30, 2019, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens at 8 p.m. This will be only the second time ever that the Cavaliers and the Gators meet on the gridiron. Virginia will be making its first appearance in a game hosted by the Orange Bowl. The only other ACC teams that have not played in an Orange Bowl game are North Carolina, N.C. State and Pittsburgh. Florida will be making its 5th appearance in a game hosted by the Orange Bowl and are 4-0 in those games.

I dont have much to do with it," Mullen said. "I try to worry about what we can control, Mullen said. I think our ranking in any of the polls wouldve resulted in being in the same bowl against the same opponent. So, were going to worry about what we can control, which is coming out on Dec. 30, play as hard as we can, try to finish the season off the right way.