GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The season opener means different things to different players. For seniors, it's the opening page of the final chapter. For others, it's their first shot at getting on the field.
For Gators receiver Justin Shorter, Saturday night's opener against Florida Atlantic is an opportunity to see 'The Swamp' he's heard about but never witnessed for the first time.
"From what I hear, they say 'The Swamp' is just a whole different experience,'' said Shorter, who started his career at Penn State and played in hostile environments such as Ohio State and Michigan State in the Big Ten. "I have yet to be at a full-capacity game, so hopefully we can make this first one a great one."
Gators receiver Justin Shorter is eager to see what Ben Hill Griffin Stadium is like with no reduced-capacity restrictions in place. (File photo)
The Gators played in front of reduced-capacity crowds in 2020 in Shorter's first season in the program, and while the atmosphere Saturday night should be much more lively, the best is yet to come. Wait until Shorter experiences a Florida-Alabama game at home on Sept. 18.
The No. 13 Gators host the Owls for the second time in program history in the season opener. The schools met in the 2011 opener -- the first game for head coach Will Muschamp at Florida and the first game of the final season of the late Howard Schnellenberger's legendary career. Florida won 41-3.
For UF head coach Dan Mullen, armed with a new starting quarterback and revamped defense, a 38-point win would be a good way to open his fourth season.
In our latest installment of The Opening Kickoff, let's take a look at some storylines, players and numbers:
THREE STORYLINES
The home crowd will be watching Gators quarterback Emory Jones closely. A fourth-year junior, Jones has moved to the top of the depth chart after playing behind Feleipe Franks and Kyle Trask in his first three seasons. Jones has a strong arm and is a threat to run each time he takes a snap, so the Florida offense is going to look different in 2021 with Jones starting and backup Anthony Richardson expected to be mixed into the game plan periodically.
Florida's last appearance at home left the Gators in a fog. They were upset on a foggy night at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium by LSU to kickstart a three-game losing streak to end the season. The Gators seek a fresh start and victory over the Owls is the way to do it. Florida has won all three of its previous meetings against FAU, outscoring the Owls 120-37.
Jones won't be the only new starter for the Gators. Florida features several new faces, most notably on defense where defensive tackles Daquan Newkirk, Antonio Valentino and Tyrone Truesdell are all expected to play on the interior line. A transfer from Auburn, Truesdell just joined the program this week and defensive coordinator Todd Grantham said he is ready to play.
THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH
Fourth-year junior receiver Jacob Copeland has an opportunity to shine this season after serving primarily as a depth player the past two seasons in a talented receiving corps. Copeland has 45 career catches but has never been the Gators' go-to receiver. He could be that guy this season when Jones drops backs to pass.
Freshman cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. had a strong preseason camp and is listed behind redshirt freshman Avery Helm at the cornerback spot opposite junior Kaiir Elam. A five-star signee out of Miami, Marshall is physically gifted and appears to have the confidence and maturity to see the field regularly his first seaosn on campus.
As a freshman at USF in 2019, 5-foot-5 tailback Johnny Ford rushed for 787 yards and eight touchdowns. A redshirt sophomore who transferred to FAU after last season, Ford is an experienced back with more than 1,175 career rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. Ford and transfer quarterback N'Kosi Perry provide the Owls with a couple of proven playmakers on offense.
FIVE DIGITS
120 – Sacks for the Gators since 2018, which leads the SEC and ranks third nationally. 15-3 – Florida's record at 'The Swamp' since Mullen took over in 2018. 613 – Career passing yards for Emory Jones, set to make his first career start. 31 – Consecutive wins for Gators in home openers, longest active streak in FBS. Florida last lost a home opener in 1989 to Ole Miss. 1 – All-time wins against Power 5 opponents for FAU. The Owls defeated Minnesota, 42-39, on Sept. 15, 2007.
