Florida football’s 2023 opener could be played on a Thursday night

Florida football’s 2022 season opener saw the Orange and Blue beat the Utah Utes in front of a sold-out Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on in primetime on ESPN to give Billy Napier his first win as the Gators’ head coach.

Gators 2023 will be the season opener. They will continue the home-and–home tour and travel west. Originally scheduled for Saturday September 2, the Orlando Sentinel is reporting According to the contract details, the game could be moved on Thursday, August 31.

The Sentinel obtained a contract via a Public Records Request and discovered that it allows the game can be played on any date. When the SEC’s 2023 schedule was released last September, the game was slated for Saturday.

It all comes down to logistics. By playing on Thursday night, the Gators would be able to spend the night in Salt Lake City and provide more recovery time before Florida’s home opener against McNeese State on Sept. 9. It could also serve as a safety net for the Gators if they are unable to return home. Saturday night. When Utah came to Gainesville last year, their plane had mechanical problems that delayed the team’s departure until 5 a.m. EST Sunday morning.

Official word has not been given on whether or not the game was moved. If the game is played on August 31, it will be the first Thursday evening game Florida has played since Oct. 1, 1993, when the Orange and Blue lost to Mississippi State 30-6.