When: Saturday, 7 p.m.
Where: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
Latest line: Not available
TV: SEC Network+
Weather: 81 degree, 36% chance of thunderstorms
Coaches: Ron Cooper 12-22 (61-81 overall); Billy Napier 19-19 (59-31 overall)
Quick slant: UF’s four-game winning streak is the longest in the SEC. Florida has lost consecutive season openers for the first time since 1978-79. The game marks 13 straight sellouts and 17 overall under Napier, who is 14-6 in the Swamp. Against Power Four foes the past two seasons, Long Island University, an FCS school in the Northeast Conference, lost to Baylor and TCU by a combined 75-7. UF will pay LIU $525,000 for the game.
Florida head coach Billy Napier paces the sideline during the Gators’ 41-17 loss to Miami Aug. 31 in the Swamp. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
About LIU (0-0): The Sharks won three of their final four games in 2024 to finish 4-8 after opening with six straight losses. Quarterback Ethan Greenwood, who rushed for 913 yards last season, could test the Gators’ ability to contain a running quarterback — an issue in recent seasons. Last season, LIU’s opponents scored touchdowns in the red zone 79.5% of the time (35 of 44). Only one FBS team, Tulsa, allowed a higher percentage (83.3%).
About UF (0-0): The Gators are 3-0 against FCS schools under Napier, winning by a combined score of 146-21 while averaging 619.3 yards. In one of those wins, DJ Lagway threw for a UF true freshman 456 yards during a 45-7 win against Samford in 2024. Fifth-year senior edge rusher Tyreak Sapp, had a team-leading 7 sacks last season, hopes to threaten the school record of 13 set in 1999 by Alex Brown. The availability is unknown for several key Gators: veteran defensive tackle Caleb Banks, true freshman receiver Dallas Wilson, 2024 starting linebacker Pup Howard and sophomore edge rusher LJ McCray. Each nursed injuries during fall camp, but an official injury report will not be available until the SEC opener Sept. 13 at LSU.
Three things to watch
1. Lagway’s back-up. The battle for the critical role is undecided. True freshman Tramell Jones Jr. has impressed with his playmaking and arm strength, and former walk-on Aidan Warner of Winter Park with his grasp of the offensive and improved accuracy. Louisville transfer Harrison Bailey, at his fourth school in six years, has the most experience but was surprisingly inconsistent during fall camp.
2. Swarming defense. UF looks to pick up where it left off in 2024. The Gators had 19 of their 39 sacks last season and 12 of 25 takeaways during a season-ending four-game winning streak when opponents averaged just 13 points.
3. UF’s offensive line. For the first time under Napier, the unit is considered one of the nation’s best. All-American center Jake Slaughter anchors a group with 223 combined starts, 11th among 136 FBS, that should have its way against the undersized Sharks.
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
