GATORBAIT MEDIA

Steve Spurrier kicks the field goal that beat Auburn in 1966 (UF Communications photo) Since we are 59 days from the Gators first football game of the Jon Sumrall era and there is no live action involving the Gators, it’s a good time to make a couple of lists. There will be more in the days ahead as we plod on until SEC Media Days begin in Tampa on July 20. TEN UNFORGETTABLE FOOTBALL GAMES THE GATORS WON 1. Florida 18, Georgia Tech 17: My first Florida football game in 1960

Loren Meadows and Zach Goodall opened the latest Florida Gator Lowdown with a lighter, offbeat episode — talking USMNT heartbreak, a shot fired at former Gator Kadarius Toney, and the new College Football 27 video game — as the show counts down to SEC Media Days in Tampa.

I wasn’t trying to be Billy’s best friend. I wasn’t trying to get invited to the lake house. I wanted to be able to communicate — to ask a question, get an honest answer, and produce a column that told Gator fans something true about the football team they love. That’s the job. That’s ALL the job. But he wouldn’t have it. He got increasingly stubborn as the losses piled up.

A few thoughts to jump start your Tuesday afternoon: “Regrets, I’ve had a few, but then again, too few to mention.” – from “My Way” by Frank Sinatra Maybe Frank Sinatra’s regrets were few and far between, but now that he has $21 million of Florida buyout money banked and a new head ball coaching gig at James Madison, Billy Napier has a regret worth mentioning. In a new twist on taking personal responsibility, Napier admitted he should have ditched play calling responsibi

“It’s these changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes, nothing remains quite the same” – Jimmy Buffett Nothing remains quite the same for Florida football and it starts with the changes in attitudes starting at the top. Unlike Billy Napier, whose laid back demeanor never inspired enthusiasm, the way Jon Sumrall goes about the business of being the head Gator in charge has optimism free-flowing and expectations on the rise. He isn’t doing it through constant rah-rah, but he

Jadan Baugh runs through a gaping hole against Tulane in 2024 (Photo by Chris Spears) A few thoughts to jump start your Sunday morning: When we think of the Air Raid offense that Buster Faulkner grew up at Valdosta State we think it’s everybody out for a pass with an occasional run mixed in. Obviously, somebody tore the thou shalt not run the ball more than a dozen times per game page out of his playbook because Faulkner’s offenses in his three seasons as the coordinator at G

But we’re talking college football here and pressed to pick somebody — really pressed, the way an old sportswriter gets pressed when he’s been around long enough to have actually watched these things unfold in real time — I keep coming back to the same name.

My mom and dad in 1945 A few thoughts to jump start your Saturday morning: Today we celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States of America, an experiment in governing like no other in the history of the world. On this day in 1776, delegates from 13 colonies met in Philadelphia at the Second Continental Congress and unanimously voted to declare independence from England, the only true super power in the world at that time. The men who signed that sacred document were wil

A few thoughts to jump start your Friday morning: Friday, July 3, 2026 began like every other day. At 4:30 I woke up, no alarm necessary, a habit that became daily routine for more than 20 years of taking care of elderly parents. Both Dom and Carleta Underwood have passed away during the last 18 months but the habit of waking up to check up on them remains intact. Of course, they are absent so the early morning hours are now spent reading, writing and reflection. In the qui

Bell comes to Gainesville from Alabama, where he saw firsthand what a fully aligned athletic and academic powerhouse looks like. And he didn’t waste time making his priorities clear.

Vernell Brown III stretches for a deep throw against South Florida in 2025 (Photo by Chris Spears) A few thoughts to jump start your Thursday morning: It may not matter who offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner starts at quarterback this fall. Whether it’s Aaron Philo, Trammel Jones Jr. or even freshman Will Griffin the task will be get the ball out quickly to what might very well prove to be the best wide receiver room in the Southeastern Conference. Athlon’s preseason magaz

A few thoughts to jump start your Wednesday morning: As a third-year sophomore at Valdosta State, Buster Faulkner learned a football version of Charles Darwin’s adapt or die theory of evolution. As a freshman and sophomore, Faulkner was the backup to strong-armed Dusty Bonner, who threw for 107 touchdowns while winning the Harlon Hill Trophy, the Division II version of the Heisman. Bonner was blessed with a pro-style arm capable of making all the throws. While Faulkner had th