Florida Gators

LAS VEGAS — The Gators want to do the opposite of one of the most famous advertising slogans in American history.

A 10-point underdog in Saturday's Las Vegas Bowl against Oregon State, Florida would enjoy nothing more than to take home a victory and share the good vibes with the world.

The thousands of tourists roaming this desert paradise's streets can live by the "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas" motto.

"We haven't won a bowl game in a few years,'' linebacker Antwaun Powell-Ryland Jr. said. "So, ending the season with a bowl ring would definitely give us confidence building up to next year. We're here to win the game."

Florida (6-6) faces Oregon State (9-3) on Saturday afternoon (2:30 p.m. ET) at Allegiant Stadium, the flashy home of the NFL's Las Vegas Raiders. The Gators arrived in town Tuesday afternoon and have spent the week exploring the local scene and all it has to offer.

That is part of the reward of a bowl trip. The most crucial part comes Saturday against the No. 17-ranked Beavers, who have won six of their last seven games.

Florida head coach Billy Napier, speaking Friday afternoon at the final press conference before the game, left no doubt about what he sees in Oregon State. "A formidable opponent," Napier said. "I think our team is excited about the opportunity. When you get paired up against a really good team that's got momentum, you can get excited about the opportunities that come with that."

The Beavers are led by head coach Jonathan Smith, a former Oregon State quarterback who has turned the program around since he returned to his alma mater. Smith was awarded a new contract earlier this week for putting the Beavers in a position to win 10 games in a season for the first time in 16 years.

Oregon State has won 10 or more games only twice: 2000 and 2006. A stout defense and midseason quarterback change from injured Chase Nolan to third-year freshman Ben Gulbranson has the Beavers on the verge of a rare season on the Corvallis campus.

The Beavers ranked near the top of the Pac-12 in every major defensive category during the regular season, and when on offense, they like to hand the ball to all-conference running back Damien Martinez, who has rushed for 970 yards and six consecutive 100-yard games.

The oddsmakers might like the Beavers to beat the Gators handily, but Smith understands the significance of the matchup from a historical perspective. Oregon State is 2-11-1 all-time against teams currently in the Southeastern Conference, and those two wins came against Missouri when the Tigers were members of the Big 12.

Don't count him among those counting out Florida.

"We've got to make sure we're prepared well because we have a big-time opponent,'' Smith said Friday. "A bunch of respect for Coach Napier, the athletes, the scheme, and all three phases that this team has. They've got our full-full attention."

A trending storyline since the matchup was announced has been the departure of several Gators to enter the NFL Draft — quarterback Anthony Richardson, offensive lineman O'Cyrus Torrence, receiver Justin Shorter and linebacker Ventrell Miller — and a rash of players entering the transfer portal after the regular-season finale.

The Gators don't have a lot of experienced depth, headlined by third-year sophomore quarterback Jack Miller III making his first career start. Miller took over as the starter after Richardson's exit.



He has thrown only 14 passes in his college career, those coming at Ohio State last season. He transferred to UF after the season and served as Richardson's backup through camp until he broke his thumb.

Napier is eager to see what Miller does with the opportunity. The good news for Miller is that several key receivers, including starter Xzavier Henderson and regular Ja'Quavion Fraziars, have returned after missing time due to injuries at the end of the regular season.

"One of the things that get overlooked a little bit about Jack and his situation is that he was our No. 2 for quite a while,'' Napier said. "He's been able to practice. He's got great chemistry [with our receivers] and knows these guys. He's had a ton of time to work with these guys. There will be some things to come with being a first-time starter, but I think as he settles in, he'll prove that he can be a great, effective player."

Fifth-year senior offensive lineman Richard Gouraige, voted by his teammates along with linebacker Amari Burney to serve as captains for the Las Vegas Bowl, is confident in what he has seen from Miller in practice.

"I know this is going to be a big challenge for him,'' Gouraige said. "First start, but I know that as an offensive line, we are going to do our job and create less havoc for him and all that, and just let him go out and do his thing."

If Miller does his thing and gets help from running backs Montrell Johnson Jr. and Trevor Etienne against Oregon State's stiff run defense, the Gators might be able to bring a piece of Vegas home with them.

It's called the Las Vegas Bowl trophy.

They definitely wouldn't leave it in Vegas.

"This game presents an opportunity for your team to grow,'' Napier said. "I think that's been the biggest benefit. One of the trademarks of this team has been that when we put the ball down, we compete. I don't think [Saturday] is going to be any different."