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The annual Orange & Blue game returns to The Swamp Thursday at 7:30 p.m. All eyes are on the Gators as fans get a preview of the offseason improvements that Florida Gators football head coach Billy Napier and his team have made.
Format
The game will be four quarters with a 15-minute running clock. The clock will stop in the last four minutes of every quarter and for each penalty, possession change and score.
Each team will dress about 50 players. The rosters were randomly selected, sending players to either Orange or Blue.
The teams are set… who do you got?! #GoGators | #jOURney pic.twitter.com/sciLjci5M8
— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) April 12, 2023
Orange
The Orange team is loaded with talent for Thursday night’s game.
At wide receiver, Ricky Pearsall has been making some impressive grabs in camp.
QB Graham Mertz ➡️ WR Ricky Pearsall. pic.twitter.com/F6Y5yrYVWh
— Zach Goodall (@zach_goodall) April 11, 2023
Running backs for the Orange include Trevor Etienne and Montrell Johnson Jr., both showing some impressive talent this spring.
#Gators RBs Trevor Etienne and Montrell Johnson Jr. cut-and-go. pic.twitter.com/j54s7ZyutF
— Zach Goodall (@zach_goodall) April 8, 2023
On defense, Chris McClellan is showing serious strength on the D-line. Fans hope for a standout performance for McClellan this season.
Blue
There are also some standout players to watch for the blue. At the wide receiver position, Andy Jean has showed great improvement this spring.
Final practice before #Gators 2023 spring game. QB Jack Miller III to WR Andy Jean. pic.twitter.com/WvawYfrsyj
— Zach Goodall (@zach_goodall) April 11, 2023
In addition, running back Cam Carroll from Tulane will be an interesting watch. Napier could possibly incorporate Carroll into the offense in addition to the clear standouts on Orange, Ettiene and Johnson Jr.
On defense, Cam Jackson brings some power to the D-line, standing at 6’6 and weighing 355 pounds.
Day four of spring camp: New #Gators DL Cam’Ron Jackson in a 2-on-1 drill pic.twitter.com/UawNd69y5P
— Zach Goodall (@zach_goodall) March 11, 2023
The Quarterback Question
Possibly the most exciting element for fans to see is the quarterback battle between redshirt junior Graham Mertz and redshirt sophomore Jack Miller III. Mertz and Miller will be playing for both teams in the game.
Napier discussed Mertz’s maturity and leadership following the previous scrimmages and offseason training.
Napier was also impressed with Miller’s hard work this spring.
Napier said he will not name a starter after the game, and that the competition has kept the quarterbacks sharp and on top of their game.
Game Outlook
Coach Napier hopes that the Gators show improvements in the Orange and Blue game. Napier discussed the progress made in the past two scrimmages.
The team has put in the work to make Napier’s second year more successful.
