gator football

Florida reached 20 wins in men’s basketball for the first time since 2018 as Todd Golden’s program pushes to make a postseason run. But with three regular-season games to go, the Gators continue to show a lack of killer instinct while the mystery of Riley Kugel continues. Meanwhile, Billy Napier’s third season in Gainesville begins in earnest with the opening spring practices March 7. UF will have many new faces and faces plenty of questions as Napier aims to set a new course for his struggling program. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar tackle plenty of topics during a busy time for the Gators.

• O’Dome stench (0:00)
• Gators defeat Missouri (9:30)
• Riley Kugel mystery (12:00)
• Billy Napier’s Herculean task (18:10)
• Ben Sasse’s thoughts (24:58)
• Off-season attrition (29:10)
• DJ Lagway  concern (31:11)
• Other storylines (34:47)
• NFL combine (38:36)
• Napier’s absence (42:40)
• Fixing college football (49:30)
• Jeremy Foley’s Corner (1:01:32)

The Gators’ 2024 schedule was going to be difficult, however it shook out. But the SEC did UFno favors, saddling Napier with a November featuring five games against teams currently ranked in the top 13 of the College Football Playoff rankings. A coach already feeling the heat now will have to navigate one of the toughest slate in school history, culminating with a closing month without compare. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark break down the schedule, look ahead to Signing Day and continue to discuss a pivotal offseason.

• SEC releases schedules (1:07)
• Nov. 23: Fire Billy and Lane stays (3:42)
• Nov. 23: Beat Lane Train to stop chatter (9:12)
• 11th-hour flips (14:25)
• Transfer portal (17:58)
• The path forward: Promising pieces (25:37)
• Signing Day (32:15)
• Urban Meyer: ‘Don’t panic’ (33:24)
• Willy Korn to UF? (35:57)
• Billy on hot seat (38:28)
• Jeremy Foley’s Corner (46:20)

UF hired Napier for his ability to identify talent and build a roster as much as coaching acumen. The time has arrived for the 44-year-old to prove he was worth his $7 million-plus salary. The transfer portal opened Monday, National Signing Day is in less than two weeks, the Gators roster and staff is in limbo, and rumors are flying throughout college football. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar do their best to keep up and keep listeners in the loop.

• Rumor, intrigue & innuendo (:00)
• Will Harris replace Corey Raymond? (6:27)
• Portal: Path to NFL (14:50)
• Uncertainty of defensive line (18:45)
• Trevor Etienne entering portal? (19:39)
• Graham Mertz will be back (26:59)
• Portal hasn’t been great for Gators (31:55)
• Recruiting class (35:46)
• Reining in NIL (44:01)
• Edgar victorious in picks (46:13)
• Jeremy Foley’s Corner (47:43)

The 2023 Gators’ goals are long gone, but Billy Napier’s squad still has plenty to play for against the rival Seminoles. UF pushes to avoid a losing season while cutting the Noles down to size and ending their College Football Playoff hopes. Two backup quarterbacks forced into action are among the many storylines Mark and Edgar address on a Thanksgiving eve edition of Swamp Things.

• QB issues (:00)
• FSU moved to #5 (2:00)
• QB Mertz to Brown (3:48)
• Coaches in very different places (7;29)
• FSU far ahead of UF (10:50)
• The great equalizer: The Swamp (14:01)
• Simplify plan (18:03)
• SEC football picks (21:46)
• Jeremy Foley’s Corner (25:25)

The No. 25 Gators host Charlotte Saturday in the Swamp during the final gimme on the schedule. Billy Napier has not seen the level of focus and intensity he’d hoped following UF’s upset of Tennessee, though he’s not entirely surprised. Even human nature will not be enough for the Gators to stumble against the 49ers, a 28-point underdog coming to Gainesville for a $1.55 million payday. During the latest Swamp things, Edgar and Mark discuss what the Gators stand to gain and where they need to improve before hitting the road to Kentucky.

• Stop playing meaningless games (:23)
• The Swamp sellout (5:39)
• Billy Napier: ‘Battle against human nature’ (7:15)
• Charlotte coach (10:35)
• Player suspensions (12:40)
• Team’s difference maker (23:38)
• Charlotte breakdown (28:00)
• Jeremy Foley’s Corner: Olympic hopes (35:48)

UF’s resounding win against No. 11 Tennessee in a sold-out Swamp reasserted the Gators’ dominance against the Vols and showcased one of college football’s best home-field advantages. Transfer quarterback Graham Mertz continued to capitalize on his second chance, Trevor Etienne exhibited star potential and a retooled defense turned in another inspired effort under Austin Armstrong. The effort was far from flawless, but was a major step for an embattled coach and a group of players with something to prove. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark recall a memorable night and discuss how the Gators build on it.

• Gator suspensions (:17)
• Billy Napier: ‘It validates your plan’ (4:57)
• Upcoming games / expectations (12:00)
• The Swamp showed up in force (19:55)
• Identifying talent / leadership (28:00)
• Gushing about Graham Mertz (35:20)
• Special teams needs help (38:57)
• Jeremy Foley’s Corner: Volleyball (45:50)

Florida kicks off its second spring practice under Billy Napier this weekend. During 14 practices until the April 18 spring game, all eyes will be transfer QB Graham Mertz, the retooled O-line and a defense coming off a historically bad season and welcoming new, 29-year-old coordinator Austin Armstrong. While spring practices have Gator Nation’s attention, college basketball seizes center stage elsewhere. Todd Golden’s team is playing out the string while Kelly Rae Finley’s squad likely ended a disappointing season in embarrassing fashion. At least baseball fans have something to smile about entering a weekend visit from Miami. Mark and Edgar dig into the details during the latest Swamp Things.

Florida’s 30-3 loss to Oregon State in the Las Vegas Bowl culminated a second straight 6-7 season at Florida and left one searching for signs of progress. The Gators were without their best offensive playmaker (Anthony Richardson), offensive lineman (O’Cyrus Torrence) and defensive player (Ventrell Miller). Front and center were the same issues that have plagued Florida. Napier and his staff will quickly turn the page to National Signing Day Wednesday. Gators’ fans will need some time for the taste of the Las Vegas Bowl and a three-game losing streak to fade. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark double down with observations and questions from Napier’s disappointing Year 1.

Mike Leach’s death at age 61 cast a dark cloud over college football, stirring tributes and memories of the innovative, eccentric coach nicknamed “The Pirate.” Leach leaves behind a legion of fans, including many in the media, a lasting impact on the passing game and an unmatched legacy due to his outsized personality. But the games will go on, including Saturday’s Las Vegas Bowl pitting Florida and No. 14 Oregon State. The Gators aim to avoid a second straight losing season with first-time starting QB Jack Miller III, but take on the surging Beavers without a full roster. During the latest episode, Edgar and Mark discuss Leach’s tragic passing, Miller Time for Florida and weigh in on two basketball programs going in opposite directions.

The Gators head into their bye week smarting from a fourth straight loss to LSU, this time a 45-35 decision Saturday night in the Swamp. Even so, there’s no rest for the weary as Billy Napier prepares his team for the new staff’s first meeting with Georgia, Oct. 29 in Jacksonville.

Florida rolled past Eastern Washington Sunday in the Swamp for a feel-good win and much-needed breather after a challenging September. Billy Napier’s team resumes SEC play at home against Missouri, looking to end a six-game skid in conference games.

The Gators came up short against their rivals Vols but left Rocky Top with plenty of positives, along with some serious concerns. But Billy Napier’s squad will have to wait until Sunday to build on a big day by QB Anthony Richardson and the offense while sorting out Florida’s pervasive defensive issues.

Billy Napier’s squad heads to Knoxville double-digits underdogs in what has been a one-sided series in Florida’s favor. Winners of 16 of 17 meetings, Florida faces a tall order on Rocky Top.

Football season kicked off with the opening of Billy Napier’s first fall camp with the Gators. Napier’s emphasis will be on team-building and instilling the toughness and discipline lacking with Dan Mullen’s 2021 squad.