GAINESVILLE — Florida’s visit from USF has suddenly gone from a final tune-up to a straight-up test.
The No. 15 Gators aim to avoid it becoming a trap game.
UF’s demanding schedule begins in earnest Saturday, or a week earlier than it once appeared. If coach Billy Napier’s team questioned USF’s shot at an upset, the Bulls’ 34-7 stunner last Thursday night against No. 25 Boise State ended any prospect for complacency.
“The film itself of Game 1 gets the attention of the players,” Napier told reporters Monday. “It doesn’t hurt that Boise, obviously, was a playoff team and ranked in the Top 25.”
Florida quarterback DJ Lagway looks to throw during the Long Island University at University of Florida college football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville on Saturday, August 30, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
While operating head coach Alex Golesh’s up-tempo attack, USF dual-threat quarterback Byrum Brown, a 6-foot-3, 232-pound bruiser, threw for 210 yards and had scoring runs of 23 and 15 yards.
“Big, physical player, will drop his pads,” Napier said. “He does break tackles. He has the ability to outrun angles. And he has arm talent.”
The Bulls forced three fumbles and registered turnovers on downs four times while executing the scheme of veteran Todd Orlando, who has previous stop at Houston, Texas and USC.
“This guy’s been around the block,” Napier said of the 54-year-old. “He’s always been a tough prep.”
The big victory by Brown, Orlando and the Bulls is sure to have the Gators prepared.
“We’re foaming at the mouth,” said UF redshirt sophomore Tre Wilson, a Tampa native recruited by USF.
Wilson was champing at the bit entering Saturday night’s season-opener against Long Island University.
Coming off season-ending hip surgery and limited at times during fall camp, the 5-foot-10¼, 194-pound receiver burst out of the south end-zone tunnel. Sprinting onto the field, Wilson even passed Napier leading the Gators to the sideline.
“I didn’t even realize I ran past coach Napier,” he said. “I just haven’t been able to run out the tunnel like that in a minute. Most definitely missed it.”
Florida wide receiver Vernell Brown III (8) tumbles as he hangs on after making a spectacular one-handed catch in front of LIU defensive back Jalen Bell (6) during the Long Island University at University of Florida college football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville on Saturday, August 30, 2025. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
The ensuing 55-0 cakewalk against an overmatched FCS foe in Week 1 was a first under Napier. His team needed a late-game interception to edge Utah during his UF debut in 2022 but dropped their past two openers to Utah and Miami by a combined score of 65-28.
LIU provided the 2025 Gators a soft opening, but nothing will be easy henceforth.
“We play one FCS team, and then it’s Katy, bar the door,” he said. “‘Let’s get ready to go, starting with this group. This is a tough opponent that we play this week, playing with a lot of confidence and got a lot of veteran players and a quarterback that can be a problem for you.”
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
Up next …
USF (1-0) at No. 15 Florida (1-0)
When: 4:15 p.m., Saturday
Where: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
TV: SEC Network
Favorite: Florida by 18.5 points
