GAINESVILLE — Florida will enjoy its first season-opening gimme under coach Billy Napier when Long Island University visits the Swamp.

Saturday’s night game will allow the No. 15 Gators to ease into a pivotal Year 4 under Napier before embarking on a difficult schedule featuring eight bowl teams from 2024 — seven of them ranked in the AP preseason Top 25.

Florida stumbled badly out the gates the past two seasons. A 24-11 loss in 2023 at Utah followed by a 41-17 flop in 2024 at home against Miami each intensified questions about Napier’s future.

Entering Year 4, Napier’s job security has improved while optimism abounds.

Florida closed last season on a four-game winning streak and opens 2025 with its best roster in years, led by quarterback DJ Lagway . The sophomore Heisman c

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