FOOTBALL

Billy Napier's first Orange and Blue game at Florida: Blue team wins 34-0 | Game recap

Graham Hall Ainslie Lee
Gator Sports

Following 14 spring practice sessions in Gainesville, Billy Napier’s first Orange and Blue game with the Florida Gators football team has finally arrived.

The Gators split into two teams prior to Thursday night’s game, and it wasn’t just the players who have been temporarily divided. From the assistant coaches to the creative content team, the Gators have divided the football program in half to simulate a regular-season contest.

Considering the game is being held on Thursday night instead of the typical Saturday afternoon, the program has attempted to draw a crowd by using a combination of a competitive format and incentives for fans in attendance. We’ll know soon if the effort will lead to Florida’s first spring game in three years being a well-attended event. 

Orange and Blue takeaways:Florida's first-team offense shines, injuries appear to be low

Star of the game:Quarterback Anthony Richardson gives Florida Gators fans reasons for hope | David Whitley

Gator Nation:Florida football fans excited to get first look at Napier-led Gators at spring game

9:45 p.m.|Billy Napier's first spring game at UF now in the books

It's a final: 34-0 Blue wins. UAA announced approximate attendance of 45,000. 

Paint it black? Are the Florida Gators going to wear black uniforms? Reports say they're in the works

Recruits coming to town:Florida Gators football to host elite prospects for annual spring scrimmage

9:30 p.m.|Adam Mihalek adds a 47-yarder

Mihalek's earlier kick ties the longest FG in Orange and Blue game history (Chris Hetland and Eddy Pineiro).

Florida Gators honorary captain Kelly Rae Finley on the sidelines during the first half.

Seen on the field: Todd Golden and Kelly Rae Finley

The men's and women's basketball coaches were the honorary captains tonight. 

Florida Gators head basketball coach and honorary captain Todd Golden shakes hands with head football coach Billy Napier after winning the coin toss before the annual Orange and Blue spring game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville Fla. April 14, 2022.

9:20 p.m. |Adam Mihalek hits 52-yard field goal

Yes, a 52-yard field goal in a spring game. Blue leads 31-0. 

9:00 p.m. |Anthony Richardson runs for TD

Quarterback Anthony Richardson add another TD for the Blue team, 28-0. 

8:30 p.m. |AR add another touchdown

Anthony Richardson to Noah Keeter to put the Blue team up 21-0.

8:10 p.m. |Montrell Johnson runs in for TD

Montrell Johnson leaps in from 1-yard out to double the Blue team's lead, 14-0.

7:55 p.m. |Anthony Richardson throws first touchdown pass

Anthony Richardson hits Ja'Markis Weston from 19 yards out for the first TD of the night. Blue team goes up 7-0 after the extra point. 

7:30 p.m. |Orange and Blue game kicks off

Game is under way after WWE's Titus O'Neil gets crowd hyped. 

7:20 p.m. | Billy Napier says Gators will wear black in 2023

The first-year Florida football coach told SI black uniforms are in the works for the Gators football team. 

6:40 p.m. | Steve Spurrier in the house 

The Johnny Townsend Foundation Spring Tailgate drew lots of former players and family. Also seen: The Old Ball Coach, Gators legend Steve Spurrier. 

6:00 p.m. | Recruits arriving for Florida spring game

Billy Napier's wife Ali, centerm poses for a picture with two of their four children Sammy, left and Annie, right. Gator fans cheered at the arrival of the football team for the annual Orange and Blue game on Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL, Thursday afternoon, April 14, 2022.

Cormani McClain, the No. 3 prospect in the 2023 class per 247Sports, just arrived at the stadium prior to the Orange and Blue game.

5:15 p.m. | Coach Billy Napier makes first pre-game Gator Walk

Fans got an up-close glimpse at the new football coach as Billy Napier and the Gators players made their way into Ben Hill Griffin Stadium for tonight's 7:30 p.m. spring game.

Gator Head Football Coach Billy Napier gives high-fives to fans during the Gator Football team for Gator Walk during the annual Orange and Blue game on Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL, Thursday afternoon, April 14, 2022.

5:00 p.m. | Gator Walk under way

Florida cheer teams lead the way as fans wait for first-year coach Billy Napier and the players.