JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – When the Florida Gators open their season against Massachusetts on Saturday at 7:30, it will be the first-ever meeting between the two schools. The question isn’t will Florida beat UMass, it’s by how much.
All eyes will be on a Gators offense that ranked 112th in total offense and scored just two offensive touchdowns in their final three games of 2015. "Pretty miserable, wasn't it?" Florida coach Jim McElwain recalled. "You had to sit through it, too. I'm sorry. ... I'm still hurting. That's all I can say. That was miserable. I'll leave it at that. And I'm sorry you had to go through it, too."
Scoring was rarely an issue for Steve Spurrier. The Head Ball Coach is back on campus in Gainesville as an ambassador and consultant for the Gators football program. On Saturday the former Gators coach will be honored as the school unveils Steve Spurrier – Florida Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
Quarterback Luke Del Rio has been given the keys to an offense that McElwain has vowed will be “dramatically better” in his second season.
His first chance to prove it comes in the opener against the Minutemen, who are entering their first season as an independent after going 8-40 in four years since moving to the Football Bowl Subdivision.
Florida has won 26 consecutive season openers, the longest streak in the country.