"I'm not even going to try and hold it back,'' Gators defensive lineman Cece Jefferson said this week. "I love this place. I grew up an hour away from here and everything about me is being a Florida Gator."
Jefferson is one of 20 players who will be honored Saturday on Senior Day when the Gators (7-3) host Idaho (4-6) in the final home game of the season. And like Jefferson, his teammates and their families are likely to be moist in the eyes by kickoff time.
This group of seniors played on SEC East championship teams in 2015 and '16, and then suffered through a 4-7 season a year ago. They are going out in much better fashion.
"It shows the amount of work,'' fifth-year senior defensive tackle Khairi Clark said. "It's been a long journey this past year, having a new staff, we had to buy in to everything. It's real big to go out and not winning four games like last year."
With a victory over the Vandals, the Gators can double their win total from 2017 and keep alive their bid for a 10-win season. They close the regular season at Florida State next weekend and then have a bowl game to play, something they missed out on last year.
Coming off a rousing 35-31 comeback win over South Carolina, the Gators have momentum back on their side following back-to-back losses to Georgia and Missouri.
Besides Senior Day, Saturday is Florida's annual Military Appreciation Day, a chance to recognize and pay tribute to military veterans.
The Gators are a heavy favorite and seek a sharp performance with the Seminoles looming. Florida has not beaten FSU since 2012.
First, though, they will say goodbye to "The Swamp" for 2018.
For a closer look at the Florida-Idaho matchup, here is the latest edition of The Opening Kickoff: FIVE QUESTIONS WITH … GATORS SENIOR CECE JEFFERSON
Q: What are your thoughts on Saturday being your last time running out of tunnel at 'The Swamp?'
A: Feels like I just enrolled here yesterday, you know, moving into Keys, my mom making my bed up. Having people showing me around campus, going to all types of meetings and stuff, just getting familiar with the place. It flies by, but I definitely enjoyed every moment of it and I wouldn't trade anything. If I could do it all over again I would.
Gators senior defensive lineman Cece Jefferson interacts with fans after last week's win over South Carolina. (Photo: Kaila Jones/UAA Communications)
Q: What is the focus now that the day is near?
A: I've been here for four years and time has literally flown by and so I just [want to] appreciate ... my last couple of moments here. That's really what I been thinking about the most lately, just enjoying my last moment with these guys. You know running out on that field for the last time and just taking it all in one more time as a Florida football player.
Q: What does it mean for you not to have to go out 4-7?
A: Oh, that means a lot, I mean who wants to go out 4-7? It feels good being a winner. We dropped the ball a few times this year but anything is better than last year. so definitely going out with my head up high and a smile on my face.
Q: What would you like your legacy to be here as a player?
A: Just somebody who worked hard every time, gave it his all on the field and off the field. Just a great person and just somebody that loves Gator football.
Q: Do you have a favorite moment on the field?
A: My freshman year when I got the interception against Ole Miss. I scored but the refs said otherwise. I think I scored.
THREE STORYLINES
It's the final home game for 20 Florida seniors, always an emotional day for the players and their families. This is a senior class that was part of two SEC East championship teams and a 4-7 season, so they have experienced peaks and valleys in their careers. The group has also played for two head coaches -- three for the six fifth-year seniors who joined the Gators in 2014 (Khairi Clark, C'yontai Lewis, Moral Stephens, Jorge Powell, Kavaris Harkless and R.J. Raymond).
The Gators moved up to No. 13 in the College Football Playoff rankings Tuesday, putting them within striking distance of a coveted New Year's Six bowl game. For that to come to fruition, they can't slip in their final two regular-season games, at home against the Vandals and next week at Florida State.
If Mother Nature is reading, please stay away from the Swamp on Saturday afternoon. No tickets will be left for you at will call and security has been alerted to not let you anywhere near the stadium. Your disruption of the 2014 Gators-Idaho game remains fresh in everyone's memory and Florida Field has finally dried out. So, please, just stay away.
THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH
Kadarius Toney had a season-high 51 yards rushing in last week's win over South Carolina and two receptions for 33 yards, including an 18-yard touchdown reception -- the first of his career -- that gave the Gators life late in the third quarter down 17. Toney's dynamic ability with the ball in his hands was a focal point all week with the media and fans, so keep an eye on No. 4 against an Idaho defense ranked 94th in the FCS in total defense (440.8 yards per game).
Gators true freshman receiver Jacob Copeland missed the first half of the season due to a knee injury suffered in preseason camp. He is healthy and back at practice and head coach Dan Mullen said there is a possibility Copeland could make his Gators debut in Florida's final three games. Copeland and true freshman quarterback Emory Jones were the two highest-ranked players in Mullen's first recruiting class. Copeland played at Escambia High in Pensacola, the same school that produced former UF and Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith.
Idaho senior Kaden Elliss is a rarity in this day and age, a two-way player who starts at linebacker and is a reserve tight end. Elliss leads the Vandals with 15 tackles for loss and has three receptions for 20 yards. Former NFL player Luther Elliss, an Idaho assistant, is his father. Elliss has 279 career tackles, which ranks 14th on the school's all-time list.
THREE DIGITS
175 –Combined career starts for eight seniors who have started over course of their careers, topped by offensive lineman Martez Ivey's 43. 12 –Season-high number of rushes for 10-plus yards for Gators in last week's win over South Carolina. 0 –Points off turnovers for Idaho this season Meanwhile, Idaho's opponents have scored 72 points off turnovers. INJURY REPORT
"I've never seen much resistance. I've seen a lot of guys trying to figure out how we want it done, which is a very different thing. I can't say from Day 1 that they've done everything exactly the way we want it done, but I've never seen them not try to do it the way we want them to do it." -- Gators head coach Dan Mullen on buy-in from team's 20 seniors
"Mom's gonna be torn between her Gator gear. They just changed to Jordan, so she has some new Jordan jerseys, shoes. I think she'll [root for] me for this game, but that'll be it." -- Idaho senior cornerback Dorian Clark, who grew up in Jacksonville in a family full of Gators fans
"I think he's having a great year. He's the best [college] corner I've ever coached. He's competitive. He plays hard and he does his job. He works and certainly glad he's on our team and looking forward to continue to develop him." -- Gators defensive coordinator Todd Grantham on sophomore cornerback CJ Henderson
"Coach has been on us ... talking about how it's Idaho but we playing them like any other team. Even though it's the team we are playing, we have to come out and play to the best of our ability. It's the Gator standard. We always have to play to it." -- Linebacker James Houston IV on approach this week against heavy underdog Idaho
"I think it's special. Us three got thrown into the fire our freshman year, all having to play as true freshmen. I think we have been able to bond together and just kind of build a brotherhood." -- Senior offensive lineman Tyler Jordan on bond with fellow senior O-linemen Martez Ivey and Fred Johnson
This is the first official meeting between the schools. The Gators have won their last 18 games against first-time opponents, including two that delivered national championships to cap the 2006 and '08 seasons. Here is a look at Florida's success against first-time opponents since its last loss in such a matchup (see next section):
SCHOOL
SEASON
LOCATION
SCORE
Florida A&M
2003
Gainesville
63-3
Eastern Michigan
2004
Gainesville
49-10
Ohio State*
2006
Glendale, Ariz.
41-14
Western Kentucky
2007
Gainesville
49-3
Troy
2007
Gainesville
59-31
FAU
2007
Gainesville
59-20
Hawaii
2008
Gainesville
56-10
Oklahoma*
2008
Miami
24-14
Charleston Southern
2009
Gainesville
62-3
FIU
2009
Gainesville
62-3
USF
2010
Gainesville
38-14
Appalachian State
2010
Gainesville
48-10
Bowling Green
2012
Gainesville
27-14
Jacksonville State
2012
Gainesville
23-0
Toledo
2013
Gainesville
24-6
Eastern Kentucky
2014
Gainesville
52-3
Massachusetts
2016
Gainesville
24-7
Colorado State
2018
Gainesville
48-10
*BCS National Championship Game
NEWS, NOTES, NUGGETS
First official meeting between the schools. Idaho's visit to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in 2014 season opener was declared a no contest due to inclement weather.
The Gators (7-3) are one of only six FBS schools with seven wins after having a losing record a season ago. Cincinnati (9-1), Utah State (9-1), Syracuse (8-2), Georgia Southern (7-3) and Virginia (7-3) are the others.
Florida's season-high 367-yard rushing performance against South Carolina marked only the second time this season an SEC team has rushed for 350 yards or more against an FBS opponent. Mississippi State churned out 384 yards in a win over Kansas State.
Gators running back Jordan Scarlettrushed for a career-high 159 yards in the win over the Gamecocks and now has 1,699 career yards, putting him within striking distance of 2,000 for his career by the end of the season.
UF senior defensive lineman Cece Jefferson is third on the team with 9.5 career sacks but has not registered a sack in eight games this season. Jefferson has 14 tackles and four tackles for loss.
Idaho seniors Dorian Clark and David Ungerer traveled to Gainesville four years ago expecting to make their college debuts. Instead, they are playing their final games. Ungerer leads the Vandals with 66 catches and Clark has 32 tackles and six pass break-ups.
Vandals junior quarterback Mason Petrino is the son of Idaho head coach Paul Petrino. His uncle is former Arkansas and Louisville head coach Bobby Petrino. Mason has thrown for 1,863 yards with 14 touchdowns and six interceptions.
Florida has won 18 consecutive games against first-time opponents, its last defeat coming to Michigan when the schools met for the first time in the 2003 Outback Bowl.
Florida junior linebacker David Reese, who has 66 tackles in seven games, ranks fourth in the SEC with an average of 9.4 tackles per game.
Gators quarterback Feleipe Franks is one touchdown throw shy (17) of doubling his total from a season ago (9).
THE OTHER SIDE
OK, I'll admit it. I've never been to Moscow. The one in Russia or the home of the University of Idaho.
But if I ever make to either one of them, I'll visit the Kremlin or the Kibbie Dome.
The Vandals haven't had much success on the road -- they are 0-5 this season -- but inside the friendly confines of the Kibbie Dome they went 4-1 this season.
Here is a glance at one of college football's most unique venues, which is about 2,470 miles from Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, where Idaho faces the Gators on Saturday:
BOTTOM LINE
Other than for the Kentucky, Georgia and Missouri games, the premonitions here have been spot on this season. Considering Idaho got crushed 79-13 in its season opener at Fresno State and lost 62-28 to Idaho State, even a Florida State fan has to like the Gators in this matchup. The guess here is that by halftime, Florida has a comfortable lead and head coach Dan Mullen will start to empty the bench. That would be a nice Senior Day everyone at the Swamp can enjoy other than the guys they call the Vandals.
Florida Football | Sean Kelley, Coach Sumrall, Coach Spurrier, and Coach MeyerFlorida Football | Sean Kelley, Coach Sumrall, Coach Spurrier, and Coach Meyer
Friday, December 12
Florida Football | Head Coach Jon Sumrall Sits Down with Gator Greats Steve Spurrier and Urban MeyerFlorida Football | Head Coach Jon Sumrall Sits Down with Gator Greats Steve Spurrier and Urban Meyer
Friday, December 12
Florida Football | Urban Meyer & Nick Saban Interview | 2025 NFF Annual Awards DinnerFlorida Football | Urban Meyer & Nick Saban Interview | 2025 NFF Annual Awards Dinner
Wednesday, December 10
Coach Meyer and Coach Saban - Hall of Fame 12-09-25Coach Meyer and Coach Saban - Hall of Fame 12-09-25
