LAS VEGAS — The calendar says that on Saturday, it will have been only 105 days since the Gators last played a Pac-12 team.
Remember that one?
The Sept. 3 season opener at The Swamp. The debut of first-year Gators head coach Billy Napier. The 29-26 heart-pumping win clinched by Amari Burney in the final seconds when he intercepted a pass from Utah quarterback Cameron Rising in the end zone.
That was only 105 days ago? It’s true. The calendar doesn’t lie.
Of course, so much has happened between then and now. Following the victory over then-No. 7 Utah, Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson, who was making just his second career start, was actually mentioned as a possible Heisman Trophy candidate.
When the Gators (6-6) face Oregon State (9-3) here in the Las Vegas Bowl on Saturday at Allegiant Stadium, Richardson will not be on the field. He declared for the NFL Draft and is considered one of the most intriguing prospects available.
While the absence of Richardson looms over Saturday’s matchup against the Beavers, the Gators plan to show up with who they have and try to cap Napier’s inaugural season with a win. Florida can clinch a winning season by beating the Beavers. If the Gators lose, it will mark the first time since the 1978-79 seasons they have suffered back-to-back losing seasons.
“Everybody kind of understands our team dynamic,” Napier said Friday. “We’re going to play without a few [players].”
Practice reps. 💪#GoGators | @LasVegasBowl pic.twitter.com/j4Ub6uRQLO
— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) December 15, 2022
Win or lose, Napier’s most pressing concern is signing a strong recruiting class next week on National Signing Day. He will then likely dip into the transfer portal to add some pieces heading into the spring and summer.
The promise of that win over Utah has faded, and the Las Vegas Bowl against Oregon State represents the finish line of a 105-day trip that featured some memorable peaks, some forgettable dips, and a little bit of everything in between.
One more to go.
For more on Saturday’s game between the Gators and Beavers, here is The Opening Kickoff:
THREE STORYLINES
- In a span of a couple of days earlier this month, Gators QB Jack Miller III went from third-stringer to starter following the departure of starter Anthony Richardson and dismissal of backup Jalen Kitna. Miller is a former four-star recruit who signed with Ohio State out…
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