MARK LONG
Florida head coach Billy Napier watches his team during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Florida shakes up secondary after dismal game at Tennessee

By Mark Long Sep. 28, 2022 09:27 PM EDT
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Florida coach Billy Napier is shaking up his secondary after

Florida head coach Billy Napier watches his team during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Florida schools, South Carolina move home games ahead of Ian

By Mark Long Sep. 27, 2022 04:40 PM EDT
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Three Sunshine State universities took steps Tuesday to

Florida coach Billy Napier, front right, and quarterback Anthony Richardson (15) watch from the sideline during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against Utah, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Richardson's woes have Florida seeking 1st TD pass of season

By Mark Long Sep. 20, 2022 01:38 PM EDT
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Steve Spurrier surely would have changed quarterbacks by now

Florida cornerback Jalen Kimber, top left, breaks up a pass intended for South Florida wide receiver Xavier Weaver (10) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
USF botches late FG, No. 18 Florida gets 31-28 win in Swamp

By Mark Long Sep. 17, 2022 11:11 PM EDT
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Anthony Richardson nearly cost Florida another victory.

Florida head coach Billy Napier stands next to his players during a timeout in the final minutes of an NCAA college football game against Kentucky, Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
QB Richardson ready to redeem himself, No. 18 Florida vs USF

By Mark Long Sep. 15, 2022 01:46 PM EDT
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Anthony Richardson could use a confidence boost.

South Carolina tight end Jaheim Bell (0) pushes off Georgia State safety Antavious Lane (34) during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Artie Walker Jr.)
SEC full of tight-end talent, led by Bell, Bowers, Trigg

By Mark Long Sep. 14, 2022 11:27 AM EDT
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — It’s difficult to truly gauge the Southeastern Conference’s

Florida running back Trevor Etienne celebrates as he crosses the goal line for an 11-yard touchdown run during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kentucky, Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
No. 20 Kentucky handles Richardson, topples No. 12 Florida

By Mark Long Sep. 10, 2022 10:41 PM EDT
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Much of the hype surrounding Florida quarterback Anthony

Kentucky quarterback Will Levis (7) is brought down by Miami (Ohio) defensive lineman Caiden Woullard (90) and defensive lineman Brian Ugwu, bottom, during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)
All eyes on Richardson as Kentucky, Florida begin SEC play

By Mark Long Sep. 08, 2022 10:14 AM EDT
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Anthony Richardson dazzled a packed Swamp in Florida’s

Florida coach Billy Napier, front right, and quarterback Anthony Richardson (15) watch from the sideline during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against Utah, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Victorious debut provides validation for Napier at Florida

By Mark Long Sep. 05, 2022 04:35 PM EDT
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Defensive tackle Tyreak Sapp finally got to bed around 4 a.m

Florida safety Trey Dean III (0) and teammates celebrate after defeating Utah in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Richardson shines, Burney seals Florida's win vs No. 7 Utah

By Mark Long Sep. 03, 2022 10:48 PM EDT
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Standing in the tunnel and waiting to run into the raucous

FILE - Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson (15) throws a pass while under pressure from Georgia defensive lineman Travon Walker during the first half of an NCAA college football game Oct. 30, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. Richardson is now Florida’s unchallenged – and still unproven — starting quarterback, a budding star who’s already become a popular name found near the top of several 2023 NFL mock drafts. But he needs to stay heathy, something he failed to do as a backup last season. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
Florida QB Richardson ready for better health, more heroics

By Mark Long Sep. 02, 2022 01:54 AM EDT
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — No more pregame backflips. No more hotel dances. No more

FILE - Florida head coach Billy Napier speaks during an NCAA college football news conference at the Southeastern Conference Media Days, Wednesday, July 20, 2022, in Atlanta. No. 7 Utah visits Florida Field on Saturday, Sept. 3, for what will arguably be the Gators' biggest non-conference game in nearly a decade. (AP Photo/John Bazemore), File
No. 7 Utah opens much-anticipated season in sweltering Swamp

By Mark Long Sep. 01, 2022 08:39 AM EDT
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Utah linebacker Mohamoud Diabate knows what awaits in

FILE - Florida head coach Billy Napier speaks during an NCAA college football news conference at the Southeastern Conference Media Days, on July 20, 2022, in Atlanta. Napier’s recruiting prowess has been on display the last two months. The team's 2023 class is now ranked in the top 10 by Rivals and 247 Sports. The bump coincides with Florida opening an $85 million facility that should help get the program back on level footing with the Southeastern Conference heavyweights. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Napier has Florida prepared, confident for daunting opener

By Mark Long Aug. 30, 2022 11:51 AM EDT
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Billy Napier says his wife was “burning me up” over the

Florida head coach Billy Napier speaks during an NCAA college football news conference at the Southeastern Conference Media Days, Wednesday, July 20, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
New coach, new facility have Florida eyeing better results

By Mark Long Aug. 16, 2022 04:28 PM EDT
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Billy Napier’s methodical, multifaceted approach to

FILE - Florida quarterback Emory Jones warms up for the team's NCAA college football game against Missouri on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Columbia, Mo. Jones is leaving Florida after just two days of spring practice. Jones announced Saturday, March 19, 2022, he is entering the NCAA transfer portal, an about-face for a fifth-year senior who earlier this week said he wanted to give new coach Billy Napier and his staff a chance. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Florida QB Emory Jones transferring after 2 spring practices

By Mark Long Mar. 19, 2022 10:35 AM EDT
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Quarterback Emory Jones is leaving Florida after just two

Wake Forest tight end Blake Whiteheart (85) celebrates a touchdown scored by tight end Brandon Chapman (23) during the fourth quarter of the Gator Bowl NCAA college football game against Rutgers, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Fla. (Corey Perrine/The Florida Times-Union via AP)
Hartman leads No. 20 Wake Forest to 38-10 romp in Gator Bowl

By Mark Long Dec. 31, 2021 02:46 PM EST
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Sam Hartman's big day capped Wake Forest's best season in

FILE - Wake Forest head coach Dave Clawson leaves the field after their loss in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship NCAA college football game against Pittsburgh on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. Wake Forest is trying to win 11 games for just the second time in the program’s 114-year history. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman, File)
Gator Bowl fill-in Rutgers 'letting it hang out' vs Wake

By Mark Long Dec. 30, 2021 04:11 PM EST
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Accepting a spot in the Gator Bowl was easy for Rutgers.

New Florida head football coach Billy Napier, right, and athletic director Scott Stricklin pose for a photo as Napier is introduced during a news conference at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla., Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021. [Brad McClenny/The Gainesville Sun via AP)
Florida's Stricklin gets extension, nearly doubles salary

By Mark Long Dec. 27, 2021 06:11 PM EST
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin received a three

New Florida NCAA college football head coach Billy Napier shakes hands with fans as he and his family arrive at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla., Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021. [Brad McClenny/The Gainesville Sun via AP)
Florida's Billy Napier embraces 'scared money' catchphrase

By Mark Long Dec. 06, 2021 05:01 PM EST
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — New Florida coach Billy Napier had heard the expression

New Florida NCAA college football head coach Billy Napier shakes hands with fans as he and his family arrive at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla., Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021. [Brad McClenny/The Gainesville Sun via AP)
Florida's Napier plans to hire 'unprecedented' support staff

By Mark Long Dec. 05, 2021 07:16 PM EST
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — New Florida coach Billy Napier plans to hire an