TAMPA, Fla. — The Florida Gators are out to prove, it’s not how you start. It’s how you finish.

What You Need To Know

  •  The Florida Gators will face off against Tulane in the Gasparilla Bowl at Raymond James Stadium

  •  It's the second time in the past three years the Gators have played in the Gasparilla Bowl. They lost to UCF in 2021

  •  The Gators are riding a three-game winning streak

Just a month ago, the Gators season was seemingly over. Head coach Billy Napier’s hot seat grew increasingly hotter after an embarrassing season opening loss to Miami. Other lopsided losses to Texas A&M and Texas only fueled those hot seat fires.

But then the Gators closed out the season with three straight wins, two at home to ranked teams LSU and Ole Miss and the regular season finale on the road against Sunshine State rival Florida State. It was a run that saved Napier’s job and made the Gators bowl eligible.

“We’ve gotten to a place where we think we can beat anybody,” Napier said.

Florida's late season run resulted in its first winning season since 2020. The Gators’ resurgence was led by quarterback DJ Lagway. The freshman ignited the offense with his strong arm. Lagway led all FBS quarterbacks with a passer rating of 97.3 on deep balls.

“I think this team has a tone of confidence,” Napier said. “I think that comes from the work. They realize the results that they’ve gotten are because of the mindset and the approach they’ve taken towards the work.”

Now the Gators will close out the season in the Gasparilla Bowl against Tulane, a team that will be without starting quarterback Darian Mensah after he opted to enter the transfer portal. The Green Wave will feature a local connection. Former Plant City standout Mario Williams is Tulane’s leading receiver. Regardless of who is in and who is out for Tulane, Napier wants his Gators to finish strong and set a tone for the offseason.

“These guys have an opportunity to finish the right way in our state and then be home for Christmas,” Napier said. “And have a couple of weeks off before we get back at it in January.”