Time Announced for Third Florida Gators Home Game

The Florida Gators home schedule is taking shape as the time for a third-home game has been revealed.

Florida Gators mascots Alberta Gator (left) and Albert Gator / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Florida Gators’ second matchup of the season against Samford on Sept. 7 has been announced as a primetime matchup at 7 p.m. with television coverage on SECN+/ESPN+, the UAA announced on Thursday. 

The Gators and the Bulldogs last met during the 2021 season, when Florida survived a shootout in a 70-52 win. Then-quarterback Emory Jones threw for a career-high 464 yards (tied for fourth all-time in UF history) and six touchdowns and also rushed for another.

His 550 total yards of offense that day broke Tim Tebow’s record for most in a game in UF history. It was also then-UF head coach Dan Mullen’s final win while leading the program.

2024’s matchup marks the first evening game for the Gators this season. Under head coach Billy Napier, Florida is 5-7 in primetime games and 5-3 in primetime games at home. 

This also marks the fourth of the Gators’ 12 regular season games to have a kickoff time and television designation announced so far. 

Florida’s season-opening matchup against Miami on Aug. 31, SEC-opener against Texas A&M and annual Georgia matchup in Jacksonville have all previously been announced as 3:30 p.m. kickoffs with television coverage on the new SEC on ABC. 

Last week, the themes for the Gators’ seven home games were announced. They can be found below. 

Aug. 31, Miami, 3:30 p.m.: The Swamp Opener

Sept. 7, Samford, 7 p.m.: 352 Community Day

Sept. 14, Texas A&M, 3:30 p.m.: Championship Reunion Weekend & UF Family Weekend

Oct. 5, UCF, TBA: UF Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day

Oct. 19, Kentucky, TBA: Homecoming, UF Athletic Hall of Fame and GatorMade Week

Nov. 16, LSU, TBA: Saluting Those Who Serve

Nov. 23, Ole Miss, TBA: Senior Day