The Gators complete the first phase of their offseason program Thursday, and Florida coach Billy Napier will meet with the media Friday to discuss the start of phase two. 

Napier has an eight-phase, year-round football plan that he calls ‘The Journey.’ The first phase, Foundation, began on Jan. 18 and the second phase, Identity, will take place in UF’s indoor practice facility over the next four weeks. 

“We’ll start phase two on Friday. It’s what we call our identity program,” Napier said in an interview with ESPN Gainesville’s Steve Russell. “It’s 15 sessions. One hour, between 4 and 5 o’clock, four days a week. It’s really to kind of create momentum for spring practice. The first half of that is probably the most difficult and challenging thing we do the entire year from a mental and physical toughness standpoint.”

The difficulty of phase two makes it one of Napier’s favorite times of the year because it pushes players to their limits and builds camaraderie. 

“We’re trying to create intangibles on our team. We’re creating leadership opportunities. We want to really work on the integrity of each player, the togetherness of our team, the effort, discipline and toughness and then the certain belief that each individual can do it,” Napier said. 

“It gives an opportunity for the coaches and players to build some relationships on the way towards spring practice. So, in general, it’s one of my favorite times of the year because 75 percent of your team — the ones you’re going to play with in the fall — they’re in that indoor for every one of those 15 sessions.” 

After the ‘identity’ program ends in early March, the Gators will begin the third phase of their offseason: Spring Ball. Napier discussed what he will look to accomplish during those 15 practices. 

“Well, I think what we want to do here is really get expectations established,” Napier said of phase three. “I think it’s important that we define expectations for everybody in the organization. Obviously some of these people have been with me before. For the players, a lot of it is going to be brand new. So defining expectations, being consistent, being fair. 

“I think it’s important that we really spell out what discipline is, we spell out what attention to detail is. The simple things like getting our offense and defense and special teams systems taught, I think those are really important. But, we want to get into our year-round plan.”

The Gators will conclude spring football with the Orange & Blue Game on April 16 at 1 p.m.

TAMPA – No. 6 Florida handily defeated South Florida 12-0 early Sunday afternoon on the final day of the USF – Rawlings Invitational. The three-hit shutout was the third time this weekend that UF held opponents scoreless.
The Gators (4-0) picked up another solid pitching performance from its staff as senior Elizabeth Hightower (3-0) hurled 4.0 innings and only allowed one hit, while junior Rylee Trlicek (Hallettsville, Texas) picked up her first save of the year with 3.0 quality innings worth of work in relief.
Over the weekend, Hightower threw 12.1 innings, struck out 12 batters and allowed only one run. The Monticello, Fla. native held opposing batters over that stretch to a .140 batting average.
In the game against USF (3-1), only a pair of Bulls were able to reach second base in the contest as the Gators defense made several highlight worthy plays. In the 2nd inning, senior Charla Echols (Newnan, Ga.) made an excellent stop down the third base line and the 2021 All-SEC Defensive Team third baseman a tremendous throw to Hannah Adams (Hoschton, Ga.) at second for a key force out.
Adams, a 2021 SEC All-Defensive Team second baseman, followed up in the 7th inning to roll an impressive 4-3 double play and freshman Kendra Falby (Odessa, Fla.) ended the game with a picturesque leaping grab in deep center field to end the game.
Offensively, 11 different Florida batters combined for 12 total hits in the contest with redshirt-junior Skylar Wallace (Woodstock, Ga.) leading the way going 2-for-3. In that group of hits was the first collegiate base knock for freshman catcher Cali Decker (Lake Mary, Fla.) along with the first hits of the season for Echols and Bryn Thomas (Trenton, Fla.).
With their hits today, Wallace, Adams and Falby extended their hitting streaks out to four games, while Lindsey is now on a three-game hitting streak.
In addition, Falby stole her fourth base in as many games and Wallace notched her third of the season in today’s game.
The Gators return to action Tuesday, Feb. 15, at 6 p.m. with a single game at Jacksonville and then will host the Dolphins the following day at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium at 6 p.m.

Notables:

*   UF improved to 58-13 all-time against USF.
*   Head Coach Tim Walton now holds a career record of 966-246 as he is in his 20th season of being a head coach.
*   UF now has three shutouts in four games played in the 2022 season and the pitching staff has held opposing batters to a .128 batting average at the plate.
*   Today was also the second game of the season that Florida batters have produced 10 or more hits in a game.
*   Hannah Adams, Kendra Falby and Skylar Wallace each have a four-game hitting streak, while Cheyenne Lindsey is on a three-game streak.
*   Overall the Gators have nine stolen bases on the season with Falby (4-for-4), Wallace (3-for-3) and Adams (2-for-2) leading the way.

Special report on the Florida Gators lacrosse team:

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The seventh-ranked Florida lacrosse team kicked off the 2022 season on a high note on Saturday, defeating the Kennesaw State Owls 22-7 at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

Florida was led offensively by freshman Emma LoPinto, who notched eight points on six goals and two assists in her collegiate debut. That marks the most goals scored by a Florida player in a season opener in program history and ties the program record for most goals  scored by a freshman.

Danielle Pavinelli added four goals of her own in the victory – tying her career-high – followed by two apiece from Maggi Hall and Emily Heller. Eight Gators each registered one goal on the afternoon: Paisley Eagan, Brie Catts, Kaala Puglisi, Celeste Forte, Ashley Gonzalez, Charlotte Harmon, Kylee Hubiak and Bella Palagonia.

Florida won the battle in the draw circle, coming up with 18-of-32 draws – led by four apiece from Heller and Sawers.

The Gators’ defense held the Owls to just 7-of-18 shooting in the game and registered 10 caused turnovers. Forte led the way with two, while Leigh Lingo, Catherine Flaherty, Becky Browndorf, Maeson Tydings, Sarah Mackey, Eagan, Hall and Gonzalez each recorded one.

Emma Wightman and Mackey each notched a team-high two groundballs, while 10 other Gators each recorded one groundball in the win.

In the cage, Reznick tallied three saves in her 45:00 between the pipes, while Julia Hammerschlag notched one save in her 15 minutes of action.

The Gators return to the field on Tuesday to take on Scotland in an exhibition game. Opening draw is set for 6:30 p.m. at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

Records
No. 7 Florida (1-0)
Kennesaw State (0-1)

How it Happened

• The Gators got on the board first thanks to Emma LoPinto’s first goal in a Gator jersey just over 90 seconds into the game. Danielle Pavinelli followed with her first goal of the season and LoPinto added her second of the day to put Florida up 3-0.
• Kennesaw State got on the board with 7:56 remaining in the first quarter, but Florida answered less than two minutes later, with LoPinto netting her first collegiate hat trick. The Owls cut their deficit to two at 4-2, but the freshman LoPinto once again answered, recording her fourth goal with 4:45 remaining in the first quarter to put Florida up 5-2 going into the break.
• The Owls got on the board first in the second quarter, but Florida strung together a 6-0 run behind goals from Emily Heller, Pavinelli (2), Maggi Hall (2) and Paisley Eagan.
• Kennesaw State pulled back to within seven goals with just under two minutes left in the half, but LoPinto tallied her fifth goal with six seconds remaining in the frame to put the Gators up 12-4 going into the locker room.
• Coming out of the half, Kennesaw State pulled to within seven at 12-5, but Florida answered with the duo of Ashley Gonzalez and LoPinto – each adding a goal and an assist to put the Gators up 14-5 with 10:05 left in the third quarter. After the Owls got one back at 14-6, the Gators went on a 7-0 run behind goals from Pavinelli, Heller, Puglisi, Forte, Harmon, Palagonia and Hubiak.
• The Owls would add one more to their column, but Brie Catts posted the first goal of her career to close out the game 22-7.

Gators Shut Out Redbirds to Open 2022 Season

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida head football coach Billy Napier welcomed his inaugural recruiting class on Wednesday, signing eight on National Signing Day.

The eight join fourteen Gators for a total of 22 that signed during the early signing period or transfered in following the 2021 season. 

I think evaluation and recruitment is kind of a separate entity. Then the players arrive then it’s time to develop them, motivate them, improve their lives as people, students and players,” said Napier. “I’m pleased with the progress we’ve made. I thought we answered a lot of needs. I thought we took advantage of each opportunity to add players to the team.”

The full list of Florida’s signees on national signing day, early signing period and midyear transfers can be found below. For more information on each signee, you can visit the Gators’ National Signing Day website here.

Florida’s Current 2022 Signing Class 
 

* Indicates midyear transfer
^ Indicates from early signing period