JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Billy Gonzales has seen both sides of the Florida-Georgia rivalry.
He was introduced to the border war 20 years ago as a young assistant on Urban Meyer's staff. Gonzales was on the winning side four times in five seasons. He was on Dan Mullen's staff the last time the Gators beat the Bulldogs in 2020. And he was part of Billy Napier's staff for the past two seasons, during which the Bulldogs outscored the Gators 77-40 in runaway victories.
But on Saturday at EverBank Stadium, Gonzales will be the one at midfield prior to the game, shaking hands with Georgia coach Kirby Smart. Gonzales, named Florida's interim coach after the Gators parted ways with Napier, is eager for his first opportunity as a head coach.
Both teams are coming off bye weeks, which gave Florida (3-4, 2-2 in the Southeastern Conference) an opportunity to reboot with Gonzales in charge. The fifth-ranked Bulldogs (6-1, 4-1) are coming off a win over Ole Miss that kept them in contention for a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Everyone wants to know how the Gators will respond following the midseason upheaval.
"You know, everybody handles it a little differently," Gonzales said. "There's going to be some people that move on faster than others. I think the biggest thing for us is just to make sure that everybody's ready to rock and roll on Saturday, and that's our responsibility."
Meanwhile, the mood north of the border couldn't be more different. Smart has the Bulldogs in the hunt for another conference title and a fifth consecutive victory over the Gators.
The Bulldogs have taken control of a rivalry they lost a grip on in the 1990s and 2000s. Still, Smart can never rest easy when he sees half the stadium decked in Florida's Orange & Blue.
The Gators represent more than a program going through a transition in his eyes.
"I don't look at it as Florida's not up and running," Smart said this week. "I know you have facts to argue that's not true, but they're extremely competitive. They're in every game. They're a really good team. I get what you're saying in terms of dominance and SEC championship appearances and all that, but I view Florida as up and running, personally. They have really good players and have built a good, strong roster."
Will the Gators be good enough and strong enough on Saturday? We'll soon find out as the teams meet in Jacksonville for the final time until 2028. The rivalry shifts to Atlanta next season, and to Tampa in 2027 as EverBank Stadium undergoes a significant renovation.
In our latest edition of The Opening Kickoff, here is a closer look at the Florida-Georgia game:
THREE STORYLINES
None looms larger on the Florida sideline than how the Gators will respond in their first game since head coach Billy Napier's dismissal. Will the Gators play inspired for interim coach Billy Gonzales or go through the motions against the Bulldogs? If the former, they have a chance. If the latter, well, the Florida side of the stadium will likely head for the exits early.
The Gators' secondary was decimated by injuries in the victory over Mississippi State two weeks ago. Starters Devin Moore and Sharif Denson left the game early due to injury, and starting safety Jordan Castell was scratched before the game. The Gators were already without injured cornerbacks Cormani McClain and Dijon Johnson. They relied on a group of young players to patch the holes, including J'Vari Flowers, Ben Hanks III, Lagonza Hayward and Alfonzo Allen Jr. Allen was the most impressive, registering a team-high 15 tackles in his first appearance of the season. The Gators expect to have Moore, McClain and Castell back against Georgia, but the defensive staff has renewed confidence in the unit's depth after what transpired against Mississippi State.
The Gators dominated this rivalry under Steve Spurrier and Urban Meyer. However, since Kirby Smart returned to his alma mater as head coach in 2016, Georgia has owned the rivalry. The Bulldogs have won four in a row in the series and seven of nine with Smart in charge. Can the Gators pull off the shocker in Gonzales' debut as a head coach? That certainly would add a pinch of flavor to this storied rivalry.
THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH
The most discussed on-field topic for the Gators since the coaching change is what the offense will look like with Gonzales in charge. He said offensive coordinator Russ Callaway will provide play options, quarterbacks coach Ryan O'Hara will call the plays into quarterback DJ Lagway, and that offensive analyst Steve Spurrier Jr. will take a more involved role on the sideline in working with Lagway. It will be interesting to see how the plan works and how Lagway responds. Lagway had the Gators in contention to upset the Bulldogs a year ago before leaving the game on a cart due to a hamstring injury.
Speaking of quarterbacks, Georgia fourth-year junior Gunner Stockton was a relative unknown coming out of high school compared to Lagway. However, in his first season as the Bulldogs' full-time starter, Stockton has completed 70.5% of his passes for 1,553 yards, 10 touchdowns, and one interception, while rushing for 279 yards with seven scores. Stockton is making his first start against Florida and has a heartfelt connection to the game. His grandfather, Lawrence Stockton, died of a heart attack outside the stadium after Florida's 34-31 win over Georgia in 2010. "I've been watching Gunner Stockton since high school. I played 7-on-7 with him, so I've seen all the Gunners. Just watching him on film, he's a very good quarterback, very poised, always makes the right read. And it's always fun just watching film on him, just trying to find little details about his game,'' said Gators safety Bryce Thornton, who grew up in Georgia.
Gators sophomore interior defensive line Michai Boireau, another Georgia native on UF's roster, made the play of his career in the homecoming win over Mississippi State with a game-clinching interception in the final seconds. Boireau has improved over the course of the season and should have ample fuel to stay on an upward trajectory, playing against his home state's flagship program and coming off his signature play as a college player.
FIVE QUESTIONS WITH … GATORS WR J. MICHAEL STURDIVANT
A transfer from UCLA, Sturdivant is prepared for his first taste of the Florida-Georgia rivalry ...
Receiver J. Michael Sturdivant has 15 receptions for 214 yards and a touchdown in his first season at UF. (Photo: Jordan Perez/UAA Communications)
Q: What impact did the bye week have to help the team refocus?
A: This is not the first time that I've had a coach leave in the middle of the year, so it was a situation that I've been familiar with, and we did a great job at handling it this time. A lot of love to Coach Napier, a lot of respect for him. He's a great guy. We just focused on being together and buying into the process that's going to be new, and we all love Billy G. We all respect him, and we trust him.
Q: Did you provide any insight on going through a coaching change to your teammates?
A: Yeah, it can be weird, like your first year of college, and that comes up, you make it all the way through. So it's conversations that we have, but at the end of the day, the message is simple, like, you can't be thinking about where — if you're leaving or if you're staying — you have to focus on what's going on today and how you can help the team win.
Q: What has stood out to you about Billy Gonzales in your time here?
A: He's a big energy guy. Ever since I've been on the phone with him when I was in the transfer portal, he was just straight energy, energy, energy. He's him every day; he's the same guy who walks on the field every day. I haven't seen any changes in him; he just went from being our [receivers] coach to everybody's coach.
Q: What are your thoughts on being part of the Florida-Georgia rivalry?
A: There's been a rivalry at every school that I've been at, and it's been something that I've been taught since I entered each program. It's kind of funny because in every color of the rivalry, the opposite team is red. So, this is just another rivalry that I've had the opportunity to learn about, experience, and I'm very blessed to be in this position. I'm very excited to go out and compete with the guys.
Q: Any second thoughts on becoming a Gator, and if not, why?
A: I'm a Florida Gator, and I love being a Florida Gator. I love everything about this program. They picked me up in the portal when things were looking a little shaky for me after last season. And this coaching staff believed in me. They're a blessing each and every day to come in this building and go to work with the guys on the team. I love everything about this program, and I love being a Florida Gator. THREE DIGITS
111 — Career wins for Georgia coach Kirby Smart in his 10th season, an average of 11.1 per season. 30 — Consecutive seasons the Gators and Bulldogs have played in Jacksonville. The streak ends next season as EverBank Stadium undergoes renovations. 1 — FBS teams to start two freshmen receivers in the same game this season. The Gators have done it in back-to-back games with Vernell Brown III and Dallas Wilson(streak will end Saturday with Brown injured).
The Gators and Bulldogs meet for the 103rd time according to Florida's records. Georgia leads the all-time series 56-44-2.
The teams have played in Jacksonville since 1933, except on two occasions: 1994 in Gainesville, and 1995 in Athens. The rivalry moved onto campus as the old Gator Bowl was torn down to make way for a new stadium for the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars.
Georgia has won the last four meetings and 10 of the past 14. The Gators seek to avoid losing five in a row to the Bulldogs, a streak that dates back to a six-game skid from 1978-83, which included the Herschel Walker era.
Billy Gonzales is the seventh interim head coach in UF history. UF interim coaches have combined for a 14-9 record, including 4-2 in their debut games. The last time Florida faced Georgia with an interim coach was in 1989 under Gary Darnell. The Bulldogs won 17-10.
The Gators are without leading receiver Vernell Brown III (32 catches, 451 yards). Brown had five receptions for 83 yards in the homecoming win over Mississippi State before suffering an upper-body injury. With Brown and fellow receiver Aidan Mizell both out against Georgia, Dallas Wilson, J. Michael Sturdivant and Eugene Wilson III figure to be the featured targets.
Florida sophomore running back Jadan Baugh (611 yards) needs 62 yards Saturday to match his total as a freshman. Baugh leads the team in rushing with 87.3 yards per game.
Jadan Baugh breaks free against Mississippi State. (Photo: Anthony Garro/UAA Communications)
Starting safety Jordan Castell is expected to play against the Bulldogs. Castell's consecutive games-started streak ended at 30 when he was scratched against Mississippi State. Tight end Hayden Hansen now leads the team with 29 straight games started.
Gators kicker Trey Smack connected for two 50-plus-yard field goals against Mississippi State, tying Caleb Sturgis (8) for the most career kicks of 50 or more yards in school history. Smack has made 10 consecutive field goals since a 2-for-5 performance in the season opener.
Georgia has only eight sacks through seven games, which ranks last in the SEC. Junior linebacker CJ Allen has been the best at getting to the quarterback, registering a team-high three sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss.
If the game is close at halftime, watch out for Georgia in the second half. The Bulldogs have scored 123 points after the break, compared to 54 for the Gators. Florida has been outscored 73-54 in the second half.
FLASHBACK FILE A graphic of Florida's No. 1 ranking in November 1985. (Tampa Tribune via Newspapers.com)
The Florida-Georgia rivalry creates memories that last a lifetime. This is the 40th anniversary of a matchup that still stings for the Orange & Blue side of the stadium. The Gators opened the 1985 season with a 7-0-1 record, vaulting to No. 1 in the national rankings for the first time in program history.
Life was good for Gators as they prepared to face No. 17 Georgia at the old Gator Bowl. Under head coach Galen Hall, who replaced Charley Pell early the previous season, Florida carried a 15-0-1 record under Hall into the matchup — and the additional hype of being ranked No. 1.
"It's exciting to be No. 1, a dream,'' UF linebacker Scott Armstrong told the St. Petersburg Times. "But it doesn't mean a hill of beans if we go out and lose."
Florida's stay atop the polls was short-lived. Georgia rolled to a 24-3 victory behind 344 yards rushing, including touchdown runs of 76 yards by Keith Henderson and 89 yards by Tim Worley. Quarterback Kerwin Bell threw for 408 yards, but the Gators could not find the end zone or stop Georgia's rushing attack.
The Gators responded with wins over Kentucky and Florida State to cap a 9-1-1 season. Still, 40 years later, the Georgia loss remains one of the great "what-ifs" in program history.
THEY SAID IT
"Don't ask me why, but I think Florida is going to put up a bit of a fight in the wake of head coach Billy Napier's firing after the victory over Mississippi State." — Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi
"He may be really loyal to Ole Miss now because they went out and got him, have taken good care of him. But he'll have his choice of a bunch of schools." — Former Gators head coach Steve Spurrier on Lane Kiffin via the Gainesville Sun
"This is the game you want to play in. This is how you get to the league. Games like this are so important. And just for me, watching the rivalry growing up and just playing it for two years, just telling [my teammates], this game can change your life." — Gators safety Bryce Thornton, whose parents attended Georgia, on playing in the Florida-Georgia game
WHY GATORS WILL WIN
They have a much better chance at the upset if they can establish their run game. Florida's top rushing performances have come in its three wins. Meanwhile, quarterback DJ Lagway must protect the ball and avoid giving Georgia extra opportunities through turnovers. Defensively, the more the Gators can rattle Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton, the better. Stockton is a good decision-maker and has thrown only one interception.
WHY GEORGIA WILL WIN
They play their brand of football with Stockton calmly leading the offense and taking care of the ball. The Bulldogs have trailed in three of their four SEC wins, so don't expect them to panic if the Gators grab an early lead the way they did in last year's game. One of Georgia's strengths is its ability to flip the field. The Bulldogs rank first in the SEC and sixth nationally with a 44.5 net punt average. Georgia can win conservatively or in a shootout, as seen in its win at Ole Miss two weeks ago.
