GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Gators will begin spring practice this week, but it won't culminate in an intra-squad game.
Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin announced Tuesday that the Orange & Blue Game won't be played for a second consecutive year because of coronavirus concerns.
"Beginning this Thursday, the Gators football team will have 15 practices that will encompass four weeks," Stricklin said in a message he shared on Twitter. "However, hosting fans for an intra-squad spring football scrimmage seems unwise given all circumstances, including the fact that Ben Hill Griffin Stadium is being used as a large scale COVID testing and vaccination site."
Thank you for your patience and understanding, Gators! #GoGators pic.twitter.com/c2sgUjzIZQ
— Scott Stricklin (@ScottStricklin) February 16, 2021
Florida missed all of spring practice last year because of COVID-19.
The Gators (8-4) finished the 2020 season on a three-game losing streak, including a 55-20 loss to Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl.
