Orange & Blue Game Preview: Surprises and Fun at Forefront

A festive atmosphere awaited the Gators outside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Dan Mullen's first spring game as head coach last year. (Photo: Tim Casey/UAA Communications)

Orange & Blue Game Preview: Surprises and Fun at Forefront

Friday, April 12, 2019 | Football, Scott Carter

By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – There are certain details about Saturday's Orange & Blue Game at The Swamp that Dan Mullen prefers to keep to himself.

In his year and a half back at UF, Mullen has shown a knack for trick plays – in games that count and those that don't. Lawrence Wright and Travis McGriff, anyone?

"I usually always have some surprises up my sleeve,'' he said.

Mullen didn't keep all the secrets in his bag of tricks.

First, the action will be crisp as the Gators conclude their second spring camp with Mullen in charge.

"The game will last two hours on the dot,'' he said.

And, most importantly, Mullen is certain of the final outcome when Team Orange and Team Blue square off at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Who ya got??

🔸 #TeamOrange
🔹 #TeamBlue #OBGame Draft Details: https://t.co/YCroxpqtTk #GoGators pic.twitter.com/DwvuryxYh7
— Gators Football (@GatorsFB) April 12, 2019

"We're going to win,'' he quipped.

The annual spring game is the centerpiece event of a festive weekend on campus for what is being billed as #WeChompWeekend.

There's something for everyone and ample football, food and fun to go around.

With the season opener against Miami more than four months away, Mullen has emphasized the fun part when discussing what he envisions in the spring game. After all, spring games are spring games.

Quick, what was the first score in last year's Orange & Blue Game? If you knew that off the top of your head, I tip my cap.

(Answer: Jorge Powell's 45-yard field goal).

Still, there is work to accomplish and Mullen and his staff will be keeping a close eye on the action on Florida Field.

Here are six storylines to watch – hopefully while you're having fun:

1. FRESH FACES

Several inexperienced Gators will get an opportunity to play more than they have since arriving on campus. True freshman defensive back Chris Steele is an impressive newcomer who has received a lot of reps in spring camp. Another young defensive back who shined in camp is John Huggins. Tight end/receiver Kyle Pitts should have some balls thrown his way. Redshirt freshman defensive linemen Dante Lang and Andrew Chatfield Jr. will be watched closely by new position coach David Turner. This list goes on so have your roster handy.

2. QUARTERBACKS, ALWAYS

This is Florida, land of Heisman-winning quarterback statues, so you know fans will dissect Feleipe Franks, Emory Jones, Kyle Trask and true freshman Jalon Jones more than any other players on the field. Franks has been a formidable presence this spring and done nothing to jeopardize his grip on the starting job. Jones has shown he is much more comfortable and Trask has proven he is healthy. Jones just enrolled in January but you can see some of the tools that got him here. Look for Jones and Trask to take the bulk of the snaps since the Gators know what they have in Franks.

3. THE BIG UGLIES

The offensive line is a work in raw and inexperienced other than for center Nick Buchanan and left guard Brett Heggie. Four true freshmen joined the mix this spring and an array of returning players are in the hunt for significant roles if they continue to develop, highlighted by left tackle Stone Forsythe, right guard Chris Bleich and right tackle Jean Delance. Those three have worked with Buchanan and Heggie the majority of the spring on the first-team.

4. NEWCOMER ALERT

Defensive lineman Jonathan Greenard had 7.5 sacks two seasons ago for Louisville and entered last season's opener against Alabama as one of the Cardinals' top players. However, a hand injury in the game ended his season and after Louisville changed coaches, Greenard transferred to play his final season with the Gators. Good timing. With Jachai Polite gone, Greenard has an opportunity to shine at the edge rush position Polite starred in during the 2018 season.

5. PLAYER ON RISE

Sophomore Amari Burney has emerged this spring as a player primed for a much bigger role in 2019. Burney played on special teams and as a reserve defensive back last season but has moved to linebacker and is the front-runner to start alongside veteran David Reese II. Burney provided a preview of what was to come in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl when he recorded his first career sack in the victory over Michigan.

6. FAN EXPERIENCE

It's no secret Florida and nearly every other major program across the country are exploring all options when it comes to enhancing the fan experience in the wake of an attendance decline in college football this decade. Technology is usually the first culprit that gets blamed. The Gators have made technological improvements to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium and continue to add features inside and outside the stadium to make games more enjoyable. Check out the atmosphere on Saturday and let us know what you think.