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  • Big 12 announces UCF’s 2025 football schedule

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    ORLANDO, Fla. — UCF’s 2025 football schedule features seven home games, including four Big 12 games and a home matchup with Bill Belichick’s North Carolina Tar Heels, the league announced Tuesday.

    The Knights open their season with two non-conference home games at FBC Mortgage Stadium — the first on Thursday, Aug. 28 against Jacksonville State and then North Carolina A&T on Saturday, Sept. 6, to kick off Family Weekend. Kickoff times have not been announced yet.

    UCF’s other non-conference game will be against Atlantic Coast Conference opponent North Carolina on Sept. 20.

    When UCF begins conference play, coach Scott Frost’s first in the Big 12 with the Knights will be on the road at Kansas State on Sept. 27. Their home conference games will be against Kansas on Oct. 4, West Virginia on Oct. 18 for Homecoming, Houston on Nov. 8 for the Space Game, and Oklahoma State on Nov. 22. No Black Friday game will be played this season.

    The schedule includes two home games each in September, October and November, and the Knights don’t play any back-to-back road games.

    • Aug. 28 vs. Jacksonville State
    • Sept. 6 vs. NC A&T (Family Weekend)
    • Sept. 13 — Off
    • Sept. 20  vs. North Carolina
    • Sept. 27 at Kansas State
    • Oct. 4 vs. Kansas
    • Oct. 11 at Cincinnati
    • Oct. 18 vs. West Virginia (Homecoming)
    • Oct. 25 — Off
    • Nov. 1 at Baylor
    • Nov. 8 vs. Houston (Space Game)
    • Nov. 15 at Texas Tech
    • Nov. 22 vs. Oklahoma State (Senior Knight)
    • Nov. 29 at BYU

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  • Florida, Tulane excited about opportunity to end season with Gasparilla Bowl win

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    TAMPA, Fla. — Florida is brimming with confidence after turning its season around. Tulane is looking to regain some swagger.

    The Gators (7-5) and Green Wave (9-4) meet in Friday’s Gasparilla Bowl, with Florida playing just two hours south of its campus and aiming to build on a late surge under coach Billy Napier.

    What You Need To Know

    • Florida and Tulane will play in the Gasparilla Bowl in Tampa on Friday

    • The Gators won its last three regular-season games and signed a strong recruiting class

    • The Green Wave lost their past two games, and their starting quarterback has entered the transfer portal

    • Florida linebacker Shemar James plans to play but says he hasn’t decided whether to the NFL Draft after that

    Tulane, which has lost its past two games, is trying to finish strong against a Power Four opponent after tumbling out of the Top 25.

    “It’s a tough draw. We all know that,” Green Wave coach Jon Sumrall said. “We’re playing Florida in their backyards, and they are playing like one of the best three or four SEC teams the last month of the season.”

    Florida won its last three regular-season games, rallied on the recruiting trail to finish with the 11th-ranked class and has several upperclassmen returning in 2025 — including defensive tackle Caleb Banks, defensive end Tyreak Sapp and All-American center Jake Slaughter.

    All of that happened after Athletic Director Scott Stricklin guaranteed the once-embattled Napier would return in 2025.

    “We’ve gotten to a place where we think we could beat anybody,” Napier said. “This team has a ton of confidence. I think that comes from the work. I think they realize the results that they’ve gotten are because of the mindset and the approach they’ve taken toward the work.

    “So we’ve seen that carry over. Lot of other things have happened in a positive light as well. Signing Day went well. I think we’ve been able to retain a huge portion of our roster for next year.”

    Florida has lost a few key pieces since beating rival Florida State to cap its winning streak, most notably defensive ends Jack Pyburn and T.J. Searcy.

    Still, the Gators seem to have more momentum than Tulane.

    The Green Wave were ranked 18th before dropping its regular-season finale to Memphis, then losing to Army in the American Athletic Conference Championship Game.

    Sumrall’s team will play the Gasparilla Bowl without standout quarterback Darian Mensah, who entered the transfer portal and committed to continue his career at Duke.

    Mensah, though, is one of just a few Tulane starters not expected to play. Thirteen seniors are practicing and plan to play, including wide receiver Mario Williams and offensive linemen Josh Remetich.

    “The last two games have been an emotional roller coaster for us. … Just being able to go down there and play against an SEC opponent is really something I don’t take for granted,” Remetich said. “It’s a great team, a great opportunity for us to prove a point.”

    Undecided

    Florida linebacker Shemar James, who plans to play Friday, said he hasn’t made a decision about whether he will return to the Gators in 2025 or declare for the NFL Draft.

    Chance to make an impression

    Quarterback Ty Thompson, who transferred to Tulane from Oregon in 2024, is expected to make his first college start — and possibly play his final game for the Green Wave.

    Thompson has entered the transfer portal with the intent of finding a team that wants him to start full time. But he remains on good terms with Sumrall and could return to the Wave.

    Homecoming

    Wide receiver Mario Williams played for Lincoln Riley at Oklahoma and USC before spending his final college season at Tulane. Now he’s set to play his final game with the Green Wave in his hometown of Tampa.

    Williams set career highs with 54 catches for 940 yards this season. He needs 60 yards to become the eighth 1,000-yard receiver in Tulane history and the first since Ryan Grant in 2013.

    “I just want to have fun,” Williams said when asked about choosing to play over the option of skipping the game to focus exclusively on NFL Draft preparations. “I’m going to go out there and make plays. It was a great decision for me and my family — and also this team — to come here.”

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  • Florida lands state’s strongest recruiting class on Early Signing Day

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    FLORIDA — In terms of sheer numbers among Florida’s college football teams, USF came out on top Wednesday, Early Signing Day, with 25 signees, but Florida got 23 players to formally commit and was ranked No. 11 nationally, seventh in the Southeastern Conference and No. 1 among the state’s teams by 247sports.com.

    Miami was close behind, ranked No. 15 nationally and first among Atlantic Coast Conference schools, and Florida State was 27th nationally and third in the ACC by 247sports.com.

    On a national level, USF was ranked No. 62 nationally and No. 2 in the American Athletic Conference.

    UCF, with just nine signees, was No. 72 nationally and No. 16, dead last, in the Big 12. Early Signing Day came just four days after Gus Malzahn resigned as head coach and was named offensive coordinator at Florida State.

    Rankings can be subjective but are based upon the strength of the rankings of individual players as well as the number of recruits signed. 

    Here are the recruits signed by each program

    University of Florida signees

    • Vernell Brown III, Orlando Jones, 5 feet 11, 175 pounds, wide receiver
    • Waltez “Duke” Clark, Tampa Plant, 6 feet, 3/4 inch, running back
    • Hayden Craig, Mercier, Quebec, Canada Bridgton Academy, 6 feet 1, 223 pounds, punter
    • Tavaris “TJ” Dice, College Park, Ga., Langston Hughes, 6 feet 3.75 inches, 302 pounds, offensive lineman
    • Chad Gasper Jr., Katy, Texas Katy Jordan, 5 feet, 10.5 inches, 208 pounds, running back
    • Ben Hanks III, Overtown Booker T. Washington, 6 feet 1, 170 pounds, defensive back
    • Lagonza Hayward, Lyons, Ga., Toombs County, 6 feet 1, 200 pounds, defensive back
    • Ty Jackson, Fort Lauderdale Seminole Ridge, 6 feet, 1.5 inches 205 pounds, inside linebacker
    • Myles Johnson, Brewton, Ala. T.R. Miller, 6 feet, 1/2 inch, 213 pounds, inside linebacker
    • Micah Jones, Madison, Miss., Madison Central, 6 feet 4, 252 pounds, tight end
    • Tramell “TJ” Jones Jr., Jacksonville, Mandarin, 6 feet, 180 pounds, quarterback
    • Byron Louis, Miramar American Heritage, 5 feet, 11.5 inches, 206 pounds, running back
    • Joseph Mbatchou, Loganville, Ga. Grayson, 6 feet, 4 inches, 283 pounds, defensive lineman
    • Jeramiah McCloud, Sylvester, Ga., Lee County, 6 feet, 2.75 inches, 289 pounds, defensive lineman
    • Jahari Medlock, Atlanta Charles Drew, 6 feet 5 inches, 281 pounds, offensive lineman
    • Naeshaun “Nae” Montgomery, Miami Central, 6 feet, 1.5 inches, 178 pounds, wide receiver
    • Evan Noel, Bay St. Louis, Miss. St. Stanislaus, 6 feet, 1/4 inch, 154 pounds, kicker
    • Daniel Pierre-Louis, Royal Palm Beach, Seminole Ridge, 6 feet, 4.25 inches, 332 pounds, offensive lineman
    • Stephon “Trell” Shivers, Humboldt, Tenn., Brentwood Academy, 6 feet 4 inches, 384 pounds, defensive lineman
    • Drake Stubbs, Jacksonville Mandarin, 6 feet, 1 inch, 187 pounds, defensive back
    • Muizz Tounkara, League City, Texas Clear Springs, 6 feet, 3 inches, 196 pounds, wide receiver
    • Jalen Wiggins, Tallahassee James Rickards, 6 feet, 4 inches, 257 pounds, edge rusher
    • Jayden Woods, Shawnee, Kan., Mill Valley, 6 feet, 3 inches, 229 pounds, edge rusher

    Miami signees

    • SJ Alofaituli, Las Vegas Bishop Gorman, 6 feet, 3 inches, 280 pounds, offensive line
    • Jaboree Antoine, New Iberia, La., Westgate, 6 feet, 1 inch, 170 pounds, defensive back 
    • Max Buchanan, Sanford Seminole, 6 feet, 4 inches, 275 pounds, offensive line
    • Demetrius Campbell, Orlando Christian Prep, 6 feet, 6 inches, 300 pounds, offensive line
    • Chris Ewald Jr., Sunrise Chaminade-Madonna Prep, 6 feet, 165 pounds, defensive back
    • Bryce Fitzgerald, Miami Christopher Columbus, 6 feet, 1/2 inch, 172 pounds, defensive back
    • Luka Gilbert, West Chester, Ohio Lakota West, 6 feet, 7 inches, 233 pounds, tight end
    • Hayden Lowe, Los Angeles, Calif. Oaks Christian, 6 feet, 4 inches, 242 pounds, defensive line
    • Ezekiel Marcelin Jr., Miami Central, 5 feet, 11.5 inches, 208 pounds, linebacker
    • Josh Moore, West Broward Miami, 6 feet, 4 inches, 205 pounds, wide reciever
    • Mykah Newton, Gainesville Newberry, 6 feet, 2 inches, 255 pounds, defensive line
    • Luke Nickel, Milton Ga., Milton, 6 feet, 2 inches, 205 pounds, quarterback
    • Girard Pringle Jr., Seffner Armwood, 5 feet, 10 inches, 182 pounds, running back
    • Brock Schott, Leo (Ind.) High, 6 feet, 3 inches, 215 pounds, tight end
    • Herbert Scroggins III, Savannah, Ga., Benedictine Military School, defensive end
    • Donta Simpson Jr., Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna Prep, 6 feet, 3 inches, defensive line
    • Malachi Toney, Fort Lauderdale American Heritage, 5 feet, 10.5 inches, 182 pounds, wide receiver
    • Daylyn Upshaw, Phenix City, Ala. Central, 5 feet, 11.5 inches, 180 pounds, wide receiver
    • Amari Wallace, Miami Central, 5 feet, 10 inches, 172 pounds, defensive back
    • Jaden Wilkerson, Orlando Edgewater, 6 feet, 6 inches, 330 pounds, offensive line

    Florida State signees

    • Shamar Arnoux, Carrollton (Ga.) High, 6 feet, 2 inches, 175 pounds, defensive back
    • Jayvan Boggs, Cocoa High School, 6 feet 1 inch, 200 pounds, wide receiver
    • Tyeland Coleman, Terry (Miss.) High/Northwest Mississippi Community College, 6 feet, 4 inches, 285 pounds, defensive lineman
    • Darryll Desir, Miami Norland, 6 feet, 5 inches, 240 pounds, defensive lineman
    • Mandrell Desir, Miami Norland, 6 feet, 4 inches, 240 pounds, defensive lineman
    • Tae’ Shaun Gelsey, Jacksonville Riverside, 6 feet 4 inches, 215 poundsm wide receiver
    • Ousmane Kromah, Leesburg, Ga., Lee County, 6 feet 1, 215 pounds, running back
    • Chase Loftin, Omaha, Neb., Millard South, 6 feet, 6 inches, 215 pounds, tight end
    • Teriq Mallory, New Haven, Conn., Cheshire Academy, 6 feet, 5 inches, 190 pounds, wide receiver
    • Mario Nash Jr., De Kalb, Miss., Kemper County, 6 feet, 4 inches, 280 pounds, offensive lineman
    • Sean Poret, Atlanta Riverwood, 6 feet, 5 inches, 270 pounds, offensive lineman
    • Ethan Pritchard, Sanford Seminole, 6 feet, 2 inches, 205 pounds, linebacker
    • Max Redmon, West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman, 6 feet, 1 inch, 185 pounds, defensive back
    • Brunno Reus, Venice High, 6 feet, 190 pounds, punter/kicker
    • Jordan Scott, Appomattox County High School/Southwest Mississippi Community College, 6 feet, 7 inches, 215 pounds, wide receiver
    • Kevin Sperry, Denton, Texas, Guyerm, 6 feet, 1 inch,  200 pounds, quarterback
    • Zae Thomas Jr., Fort Lauderdale American Heritage, 6 feet, 2 inches, 190 pounds, defensive back
    • Kevin Wynn Jr., Greensboro, Ga., Greene County, 6 feet, 2 inches, 320 pounds, defensive lineman

    USF signees

    • Colin Bellomy, Kennesaw (Ga.) Harrison, 6 feet, 6 inches, 260 pounds, offensive lineman
    • DeAngelo Bowden, Washington, D.C. St. John’s, 6 feet, 1 inch, 215 pounds, linebacker
    • Khalil Collins, Moultrie (Ga.) Colquitt County, 6 feet, 3 inches, 288 pounds, offensive lineman
    • Tayte Crable, Massillon, Ohio, Archbishop Hoban, 6 feet, 5 inches, 215 pounds, tight end
    • Chase Garnett, Argyle (Texas) Liberty Christian, 5 feet, 8 inches, 200 pounds, running back
    • Jermichael Gillis, Lakeland High, 6 feet, 1 inch, 170 pounds, safety
    • Luke Goater, Melbourne, Australia, ProKick, 6 feet, 2 inches, 195 pounds, punter
    • Gerrick Gordon Jr., Tampa Carrollwood Day, 6 feet, 3.5 inches, 270 pounds, offensive lineman
    • Caleb Harris, St. Thomas Aquinas, 6 feet, 4 inches, 260 pounds, offensive lineman
    • Locklan Hewlett, St. Augustine High, 6 feet, 1 inch, 175 pounds, quarterback
    • Gavin Jenkins, Lake Butler County, 6 feet, 2 inches, 168 pounds, cornerback
    • Jeremiah Jones, Riverview Sumner, 6 feet, 1 inch, 185 pounds, safety
    • Eli Jones, Venice High, 6 feet, 4 inches, 245 pounds, defensive end
    • Tray Kinkle, Holly Springs (Miss.) High, 5 feet, 10.5 inches, 185 pounds, running back
    • Jeremiah Koger, Baltimore St. Francis Academy, 6 feet, 4 inches, 190 pounds, wide receiver
    • Brandon Kubay, Oakdale (Conn.) St. Thomas More, 6 feet, 3 inches, 225 pounds, tight end
    • Gavin Leach, Newburgh (Ind.) Castle, 6 feet, 2 inches, 200 pounds, linebacker
    • Christian Neptune, Cantonment Tate, 5 feet, 11 inches, 180 pounds, wide receiver
    • Herlin Perry Jr., Miami Central, 5 feet, 11 inches, 165 pounds, cornerback
    • Kory Pettigrew, Perry (Ga.) High, 6 feet, 2 inches, 180 pounds, wide receiver
    • Christian Smith, Kennesaw (Ga.) Harrison, 6 feet, 3 inches, 230 pounds, linebacker
    • Jabari Smith, Apopka Wekiva High, 5 feet, 10.5 inches, 155 pounds, defensive back
    • Brooks Williams Jr., St. Lucie West Centennial, 6 feet, 6 inches, 220 pounds, defensive end
    • Marcus Williams, Valdosta (Ga.) High, 6 feet, 3 inches, 275 pounds, defensive lineman
    • Khalil Walker, Coffeyville Community College, 6 feet, 5 inches, 310 pounds, offensive lineman

    UCF signees

    • Malakhi Boone, Bushnell South Sumter, 6 feet, 1.5 inches, 235 pounds, linebacker
    • Waden Charles, Somerset Academy Canyons, 6 feet, 2 inches, 185 pounds, wide receiver
    • Santonyo “Kozy” Isaac, Tampa Bay Tech, 5 feet, 11.5 inches, 165 pounds, wide receiver
    • Carl Jenkins Jr., St. Augustine High, 6 feet, 2 inches, 177 pounds, wide receiver
    • Jaquez Joiner, Cocoa High, 6 feet, 3 inches, 260 pounds, offensive lineman
    • Waymond Jordan Jr., Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College, 5 feet, 10 inches, 205 pounds, running back
    • RyShawn Perry, Covington (Ga.) Newton, 6 feet 3, 275 pounds, defensive lineman
    • Rukeem Stroud, Tampa Bay Tech, 5 feet, 11 inches, 160 pounds, defensive back
    • Tony Williams, Miami Central, 6 feet, 1 inch, 190 pounds, defensive back

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  • Miami tries to ACC title game meeting; UF-FSU renew acquaintances

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    FLORIDA — It’s a simple scenario for the Hurricanes: beat Syracuse on Saturday and earn a trip to the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship Game.

    Miami (10-1, 6-1 ACC) defeated Wake Forest in its home finale last weekend and moved within a victory of facing No. 9 SMU in Charlotte on Dec. 7.

    A Miami loss would send No. 12 Clemson (9-2, 7-1), which has already completed its league slate and hosts No. 16 South Carolina.

    Syracuse (8-3, 4-3) has won two in a row and has started Fran Brown’s tenure with the program’s winningest season since they recorded 10 victories in 2018.

    While Miami has the most to gain, or lose, this week, the statewide spotlight will be in Tallahassee for the suddenly surging Gators playing at the rival Seminoles, who are wrapping up arguably their most disappointing season ever.

    Since Florida’s 49-17 loss at Texas in early November, the Gators have bounced back with impressive wins at home against ranked teams — beating then-No. 21 LSU 27-16 and then-No. 9 Ole Miss 24-17. Both the Tigers and Rebels were in the conference and playoff mix at the time of those games. 

    Florida State has won two in a row against Florida and nine of the past 13 meetings. However, Florida is a double-digit favorite ahead of this meeting as the disappointing Seminoles have just two wins entering Thanksgiving weekend.

    USF (6-5) isn’t in the mix for the American Athletic Conference crown this season at 4-3 in league play, but the Bulls are closing strong, having won four of their past five.

    The Bulls could add more wins with their season finale Saturday at Rice and then its upcoming bowl game.  

    Meanwhile, UCF, in its second Big 12 season, is left looking up as the conference sorts out title-game contenders. The Knights also are among five Big 12 teams (Arizona, Houston, Oklahoma State, UCF and Utah) that won’t be bowling this season.  

    Here’s a closer look at this weekend’s games:

    Friday, Nov. 28

    Utah (4-7, 1-7 in Big 12) at UCF (4-7, 2-6 in Big 12), 8 p.m., FOX

    In its second season in the Big 12, the Knights return to their traditional Black Friday game to close the regular season. UCF will pay tribute to the more than 20 seniors who will be playing their last game for the team, including running back RJ Harvey, wide receiver Kobe Hudson and defensive tackle Ricky Barber. The senior ceremony and pregame show will begin at 7:15 p.m.

    The teams have never played. Neither squad can get to a bowl game this season but are wrapping up their seasons before a national TV audience. The Knights can notch their 300th program victory.

    In some ways, it could be a classic offense vs. defense matchup. The Knights rank in the top five of the Big 12 in total offense (first), rushing offense (first) and scoring offense (fifth), and the Utes are top five in total defense (third), scoring defense (third), fourth in rushing defense and fifth in passing defense.

    With one more score, Harvey can surpass UCF Hall of Famer Kevin Smith for the program’s total touchdown record. He and senior defensive back BJ Adams have accepted invitations to the Senior Bowl, which will be held in Mobile, Alabama, on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025.

    Saturday, Nov. 29

    USF (6-5, 4-3 in American Athletic Conference) at Rice (3-8, 2-5 in AAC), 2 p.m., ESPN+

    USF is closing out the regular season strong. Since the Bulls’ Oct. 12 loss to Memphis, USF has won four of five games, qualified for a second straight bowl bid and is looking to close out the regular season with a three-game win streak.

    Freshman quarterback Bryce Archie, who has been solid in place of the injured Byrum Brown, is coming off a 305-yard, three-touchdown (two passing) performance in USF’s 63-30 dismantling of Tulsa.

    Wide receiver Sean Atkins has been hot as well, grabbing at least six catches in four consecutive games, and he leads the Bulls with 61 catches this season.

    Rice, meanwhile, enters the finale with four losses in its past five games.

    No. 6 Miami (10-1, 6-1 ACC) at Syracuse (8-3, 4-3 ACC), 3:30 p.m., ESPN

    Miami has been at the top or near the top of the ACC standings throughout the season and looks poised to be in the 12-team playoff.

    But the Orange could make things difficult for Miami. The Hurricanes boast a potent passing attack behind quarterback Cam Ward, who is nearing 4,000 passing yards on the season and has 34 touchdowns.

    Syracuse’s Kyle McCord has been prolific in his own right. McCord has a nation-leading 522 passing attempts this season with 341 completions, 3,946 yards and 26 touchdowns (which ranks in the top 5).

    Still, the Hurricanes are a solid favorite in this matchup, despite a defense that has been shaky at times and has given up more than 30 points four times.

    Florida (6-5, 4-4 in Southeastern Conference) at Florida State (2-9, 1-7 in ACC), 7 p.m., ESPN2

    The Gators have had the stronger season so far, but the rivalry features many players who grew up playing against each other so that usually boosts the competition. The game marks the third meeting between Florida’s Billy Napier and Florida State’s Mike Norvell as head coaches.

    The Seminoles’ defense ranks last in the ACC and 106th nationally, and it will take on Gators’ running backs Montrell Johnson (494 rushing yards), Jaden Baugh (522) and Ja’Kobi Jackson (401). The Seminoles are giving up 180 yards a game on the ground. The Gators, meanwhile, have topped 200 yards just once this season.

    Florida is 4-1 with freshman DJ Lagway starting at quarterback. Lagway will be Florida’s fifth true freshman QB to start against FSU. Luke Kromenhoek is the Seminoles’ third true freshman to start at quarterback against Florida in the past 40 years. He completed 13 of 20 passes for 209 yards and three touchdowns, while adding 31 rushing yards, in his first college start last week against Charleston Southern.

    The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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  • Tampa to host MLS preseason game between Orlando City, Inter Miami and Messi

    Tampa to host MLS preseason game between Orlando City, Inter Miami and Messi

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    TAMPA, Fla. — Raymond James Stadium in Tampa will be the site of a Major League Soccer preseason version of the Florida Derby between Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami and Orlando City Soccer at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14, 2025, the Tampa Bay Sports Commission announced Monday.

    Orlando City confirmed the match on X, formerly known as Twitter.

    The match will mark the first MLS contest hosted at Raymond James Stadium since 2001 and is anticipated to feature the likes of superstars Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Drake Callender of Inter Miami CF and Facundo Torres, Pedro Gallese and Duncan McGuire of Orlando City Soccer.

    “We could not be more excited to welcome Inter Miami CF and Orlando City SC to our community,” TBSC Executive Director Rob Higgins said in a statement. “To have the potential opportunity to see a generational icon such as Lionel Messi take the field in our hometown is truly special. This is something that people will tell their grandkids about.”

    Fans interested in tickets can complete a presale interest form at SoccerInTampaBay.com. The official match presale will begin at 10 a.m. on Nov. 13 for those registered at SoccerInTampaBay.com, before going on sale to the general public on Nov. 14. Season-ticket members for each club should follow their respective club’s email correspondence for details related to priority presale access.

    “We can’t wait to bring the excitement of the Orlando/Miami rivalry down the road to our neighbors in Tampa, and look forward to having the opportunity to showcase our Lions in front of a great crowd at Raymond James Stadium,” said Orlando City SC President of Business Operations, Jarrod Dillon. “We are excited to partner with the Tampa Bay Sports Commission on this event and look forward to it being a great addition to our 2025 MLS preseason calendar.”

    Both clubs are in the MLS Cup playoffs this year and also were last season, and Orlando City is one of two active MLS teams to reach the postseason in five consecutive seasons.

    The teams have met previously 14 times, with Orlando City winning five games and Inter Miami taking five, with four draws. Since Messi signed with Inter Miami in July 2023, the Herons have won two of the four meetings, the Lions have captured one, and the clubs have played to a draw. Messi did not play in the Lions’ 3-1 victory in Orlando in May or in the 1-1 draw in September 2023.

    Messi, the eight-time winner of the Ballon d’Or for international soccer’s best player, has not appeared in a matchup with Orlando City in Orlando since he joined MLS.

    Inter Miami played 2004 preseason friendlies in El Salvador, Dallas, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong and Tokyo, looking to boost the team’s and MLS’s profile. Messi played about 64 minutes against FC Dallas, in the first half in El Salvador, for a few minutes in Saudi Arabia and in the second half in Tokyo and missed the game in Hong Kong, citing an injury.

    “While our most important objective is always our ongoing pursuit of bringing titles to South Florida, we’re excited to have set one of our preseason matches for 2025,” Inter Miami President of Football Operations Raúl Sanllehí said in a statement. “Planning ahead will help us prepare for a highly anticipated follow-up to everything we’ve accomplished, and everything we’re still fighting for in 2024. We’re looking forward to a thrilling atmosphere in our first visit to Tampa since our inaugural year in 2020.”

    Messi has been a leader of Argentina’s World Cup champion team in 2022, Olympic gold medal team in 2008, three FIFA Club World Cup title clubs, a Leagues Cup champion squad and two Copa America championship teams.

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  • ‘Canes streaking; ‘mocktail party’ takes center stage; UCF, USF, FSU seek wins

    ‘Canes streaking; ‘mocktail party’ takes center stage; UCF, USF, FSU seek wins

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    GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Quarterback DJ Lagway is the most important Gators player to coach Billy Napier’s future at Florida.

    The fabulous freshman will get a chance to save Napier’s job in November while facing four ranked teams, beginning Saturday against No. 2 Georgia in nearby Jacksonville. If Lagway plays like he did in his two previous starts, the game previously billed as the “World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party” could turn into a welcome back celebration for Napier.

    Lagway and the Gators (4-3, 2-2 Southeastern Conference) are trying to end a three-game skid in the series and give Napier a much-needed victory against a ranked team and a rival. Napier is 2-12 against ranked opponents in three seasons and 1-9 against rivals Georgia, Florida State, LSU, Miami and Tennessee.

    Napier’s tenure in Gainesville felt over after lopsided losses to Miami and Texas A&M in the first month of the season. But three wins in his past four games and signs of progress on both sides of the ball have given Napier a chance to alter his fate.

    In other contests this weekend, a favored USF (3-4) will try to get back to .500 on Friday night when it visits new American Athletic Conference opponent Florida Atlantic.

    Florida State and UCF will both try to bounce back after losses to ranked teams.

    The Seminoles’ slide toward the bottom of the Atlantic Coast Conference continued after last week’s 36-14 loss at No. 5 Miami. FSU (1-7 overall and 1-6 in ACC play) still has to tangle with ranked Notre Dame and Florida after this week’s matchup with North Carolina. FSU also has a November meeting with Charleston Southern.  

    UCF had few answers for No. 11 BYU’s offense, giving up 480 yards to the Cougars in a 37-24 loss. As a result, coach Gus Malzahn fired defensive coordinator Ted Roof, restored last year’s defensive coordinator Addison Williams to the role and handed over offensive play-calling responsibilities to first-year offensive coordinator Tim Harris Jr. That leaves in question what the Knights (3-5 overall, 1-4 in the Big 12) will look like as they take on Arizona (also 3-5, 1-4) on Saturday afternoon. UCF’s undefeated record in Space Games is on the line.

    State leader Miami, meanwhile, looks to continue its path toward a high ranking and a playoff bid. The fifth-ranked Hurricanes will host a scrappy Duke bunch ahead of next week’s initial College Football Playoff rankings, which will give a first look at who is in the 12-team playoff. At this point, all the rest of the state’s teams cling to hopes they can win enough contests as the season wraps up to go to a bowl game.

    Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.

    A closer look at Week 10’s games

    Friday, Nov. 1

    USF (3-4, 1-2 in American Athletic Conference) at Florida Atlantic University (2-5, 0-3), 7:30 p.m., ESPN2

    The Bulls, who lead the all-time series 3-2 in this budding rivalry, should be motivated, not only after last week’s 10-point victory against UAB but especially after the Owls spanked USF 56-14 in Tampa last season. USF coach Alex Golesh has not said whether Bryce Archie will start at quarterback or if Byrum Brown will return from injury. Brown has been out since a leg injury sidelined him Sept.28 at Tulane.  

    Saturday, Nov. 2  

    Duke (6-2, 2-2 in ACC) at No. 5 Miami (8-0, 4-0), noon, ABC and ESPN+

    As the college football season heads into its final full month, the ACC race is coming down to four schools — all without a league loss: No. 20 SMU, No. 18 Pitt, No. 11 Clemson and No. 5 Miami. Miami and Pitt are unbeaten. An unbeaten ACC champion is all-but certain to reach the 12-team College Football Playoff.

    These are all things the Hurricanes will have on their minds down the stretch, starting Saturday against the Blue Devils.

    North Carolina (4-4, 1-3 in ACC) at Florida State (1-7, 1-6), 3:30 p.m., ACC Network

    The Seminoles are coming off a 36-14 loss to the rival Hurricanes, went winless in October, have not scored more than 16 points since its opener against Georgia Tech and lost a commitment from a four-star wide receiver last week. One win will not right this massively wrong season, but the Seminoles desperately seek something, anything, to go their way as the schedule moves into November.

    Florida (4-3, 2-2 in SEC) vs. Georgia (6-1, 4-1 in SEC), in Jacksonville, 3:30 p.m. ABC

    The past three meetings between the teams have essentially been over by halftime, 24-0 in 2021, 28-3 in 2022 and 26-7 last year. A couple key Bulldogs, safety Dan Jackson and defensive back Joenel Aguero are suspended for the first half after ejections for targeting against Texas. Jackson is the team’s second-leading tackler with 37, and Aguero ranks eighth with 19. Florida will be without receiver Eugene Wilson III because of what the team was saying is a lingering hip injury and its top cornerback, Jason Marshall Jr., who will miss the rest of the season with a shoulder injury. Receiver Tre Wilson will not play either. Georgia running back Trevor Etienne will face his former teammates for the first time. Etienne left Florida after last season and landed with the Bulldogs, where he saw an opportunity to become a starter. He spent two years in Gainesville playing behind Montrell Johnson. Etienne leads the Bulldogds with 422 yards rushing and seven touchdowns. “I’ve got nothing but love for those guys,” Etienne said.

    Arizona (3-5, 1-4 in Big 12) at UCF (3-5, 1-4), 3:30 p.m., FS1

    The Knights could have their fourth starting quarterback since the beginning of the season after redshirt sophomore Dylan Rizk took over for a struggling Jacurri Brown last Saturday and moved the ball well. So far this season, running back RJ Harvey out of Edgewater has literally carried their offense, rushing for 1,017 yards and 13 touchdowns. Its offense ranks 11th among 16 teams in the Big 12, and its defense is 13th. Both have dropped since the start of the season. Arizona’s offense ranks 14th, but its defense is 11th. No launches are planned from the Space Coast during this week’s game, but a flyover is scheduled before the game. The Wildcats average 260.3 passing yards per game. UCF’s top receiver, Kobe Hudson, left last Saturday’s game after injuring his leg on UCF’s first offensive play last Saturday. The team had not revealed any other details about the injury by early Thursday afternoon.

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  • Unbeaten Miami not overlooking disappointing Seminoles

    Unbeaten Miami not overlooking disappointing Seminoles

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Florida State-Miami showdown is no stranger to the brightest of college football spotlights.

    The rivals spent the 1980s, ’90s and early 2000s chasing national championships while battling for state domination.

    Not only has the matchup routinely pitted Top 25-ranked teams against each other, it has featured some of the biggest stars in college football.

    This year’s version….not so much.

    While the unbeaten Hurricanes come in at No. 6 nationally, the Seminoles are struggling through a season that was supposed to feature an FSU run to a playoff spot.

    Whether it be high expectations, poor quarterback play, average offensive and defensive line or a lack of big play ability, the Seminoles (1-6 and 1-5 in Atlantic Coast Conference play) are spinning their wheels.

    Still, it is a rivalry game, and UM (7-0 and 3-0) is taking its conference rival seriously.

    “You know, we have tons of respect for those guys, defending ACC champions, a really, really talented football team,” Miami receiver Xavier Restrepo said. “You watch their defense, all five DBs (defensive backs) can line up in your face and play man, they run around, have great ball skills.

    “We have to be as prepared as we can be.”

    Consider last season, when the Hurricanes were a 14- and 17-point underdog when it went to Tallahassee to take on the then-undefeated Seminoles. Miami had the ball with a chance to tie in the final minutes, before losing 27-20 in a game that was much closer than oddsmakers expected.

    This year, Miami is a 21-point favorite for the 7:30 p.m. matchup Saturday.

    “Obviously, this is a huge week for our football program,” Florida State coach Mike Norvell said. “I mean, this game is a game that we have an emphasis on 365 days a year because we’re fortunate to be at a place that you get two rivalry games every single year that mean a ton to our football program.”

    In Orlando, UCF will face a Top 11 team, and a top two team in the Big 12, for the second time in two weeks when BYU comes to town — for Homecoming, no less.

    After getting the starting nod last week in a last-minute 38-35 loss then-No. 9 Iowa State, Jacurri Brown has been named the starting quarterback for the rest of the season, coach Gus Malzahn said. He took over for KJ Jefferson, a fifth-year transfer out of Arkansas who began the season as the starter.

    “I liked the way he (Brown) handled himself,” Malzahn said.

    The team will look to balance the offense more going forward, he said.

    “We’ve got to find a way to take that next step,” Malzahn said. “I will say we did improve, played one of our best games (against Iowa State).”

    THIS WEEKEND’S GAMES:

    FSU (1-6, 1-5 in ACC) at Miami (7-0, 3-0), 7 p.m., ESPN

    While FSU’s disappointing season would receive a huge boost with a victory, this would be just another step toward a playoff spot for the streaking ‘Canes. Miami is coming off an impressive win at Louisville, taking shots from the Cardinals before pulling away for a wild 52-45 win. The Seminoles’ downtrodden season reached another low last week with its first loss to Duke in 22 years of being ACC foes. Miami quarterback, and potential Heisman finalist, Cam Ward has thrown for 2,538 yards, 24 touchdowns, leading the country in both categories, throwing for over 300 yards in every game played. Meanwhile, FSU will again be led by QB Brock Glenn, a redshirt freshman. Glenn, who has appaeared in the Seminoles’ last three games only completed nine of 19 passes last week in the loss to Duke, was sacked three times and threw two interceptions. FSU offense has not scored more than 16 points in its last six games.

    No. 11 BYU (7-0, 4-0 in Big 12) at UCF (3-4, 1-3), 3:30 p.m., ESPN

    The season has not gone as the Knights or their fans expected, and the team heads into this week’s matchup with another ranked team hoping to end its four-game losing streak. There were some positives, however, as Brown stepped in as starting quarterback to pass for 62 yards and rush for 154 yards and two touchdowns. As a team, the Knights rushed for 354 yards, led by RJ Harvey with 196 yards and two touchdowns. UCF’s Brandon Adams returned an interception to close to the goal line against Iowa State. Malzahn said early in the week that defensive end Nyjalik Kelly, who got knocked out of the loss to Iowa State, might be able to return Saturday. However, Malzahn also disclosed that defensive tackle John Walker, who was hurt in the preseason, underwent surgery and will miss the rest of the season. BYU came in on the opposite side of a 38-35 score last week, defeating Oklahoma State. Quarterback Jake Retzlaff threw for 218 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 81 yards and another score. The Cougars’ Tanner Wall, who was recruited as a wide receiver before switching to safety last year, has made interceptions in each of the past two games.

    (USF is off. Florida is off)

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  • Miami looks to stay on roll, UF hopes to top .500 and other state teams seek win

    Miami looks to stay on roll, UF hopes to top .500 and other state teams seek win

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    MIAMI, Fla. — As the college football season creeps past the halfway point, the state of college ball in the state of Florida is not exactly sunny. 

    In fact, it’s pretty cloudy. 

    Outside of Miami, (6-0 and sporting a No. 6 national ranking), no state team even has a winning record. UM may face a test Saturday in 4-2 Louisville. 

    After entering the season in the Top 25, FSU’s shocking season has left the Seminoles with one win as the calendar moves past mid-October. 

    In Gainesville, coach Billy Napier’s seat keeps getting hotter. Last week’s 23-17 loss at then-No. 8 Tennessee leaves the Gators at 3-3, and Kentucky, Georgia and No. 1 Texas are looming. 

    Meanwhile, UCF (3-3 overall) continues to meander in the Big 12. The Knights are on a three-game slide after opening the year with three consecutive wins. UCF hits the road against No. 9 Iowa State this week. 

    USF is struggling in its own three-game losing streak, putting up just 28 points during its slide. The Bulls (2-4) will look to get right this week with a home game against Alabama-Birmingham. 

    Here’s a closer look at the Week 8 games: 

    Friday, Oct. 18 

    FSU (1-5, 1-4 ACC) at Duke (5-1, 1-1), 7 p.m., ESPN2  

    Redshirt freshman quarterback Brock Glenn will again be under center as the youth movement continues. The Seminoles have never lost to the Blue Devils on the football field. Expect a tight game as the FSU defense took a hit with the season-ending injury to linebacker DJ Lundy.   

    Saturday, Oct. 19

    No. 6 Miami (6-0, 2-0 ACC) at Louisville (4-2, 2-1), noon, ABC and ESPN+

    The Miami Hurricanes have had two near-misses the past two weeks, getting past Virginia Tech 38-34 and California 39-38. Could Louisville trip up the Hurricanes and stellar quarterback Cam Ward? The Cardinals have lost two of three games but come into this matchup against Miami with a defense that ranks 43rd nationally. 

    Kentucky (3-3, 1-3 SEC) at Florida (3-3, 1-2), 7:45 p.m., SEC Network

    True freshman DJ Lagway will take over at quarterback for the rest of the season after Graham Mertz tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in a 23-17 loss at then-No. 8 Tennessee on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Wildcats were penalized 12 times for 106 yards last week in a 20-13 loss to Vanderbilt after upsetting No. 6 Mississippi two weeks ago.

    UCF (3-3, 1-2 Big 12) at No. 9 Iowa State (6-0, 3-0), 7:30 p.m., FS1

    The game marks the first between the Knights and Cyclones and starts a challenging two weeks for UCF against Top 25 opponents. The good news is the Cyclones are not coming off a bye week. The bad news is the Knights are on a three-game losing streak and have only managed to score a combined 26 points the past two weeks. Iowa State’s defense allows only 11 points and 285.3 total yards a game. As of Wednesday afternoon, UCF coach Gus Malzahn had not said who will start at quarterback this week after sitting KJ Jefferson last week against Cincinnati, starting 17-year-old true freshman EJ Colson and giving redshirt sophomore Jacurri Brown most of the playing time in a 19-13 loss.

    Alabama-Birmingham (1-5, 0-3 AAC) at USF (2-4, 0-2), 3:30 p.m., ESPN+ 

    What was expected to be a promising season has taken a slide with three consecutive losses, including blowout losses to Miami and Tulane. USF and its struggling offense will try to right the ship with a couple of American Conference cellar-dwellers in UAB this week and at Florida Atlantic next week.  

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  • UCF, UF set for intrastate matchup; UM hits the road, and FSU takes on Clemson

    UCF, UF set for intrastate matchup; UM hits the road, and FSU takes on Clemson

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    FLORIDA — The Florida Gators’ season did not get off to a great start, but they are coming off a big victory against Southeastern Conference foe Mississippi State two weeks ago, and they have had an extra week to get ready to host UCF.

    Meanwhile, the UCF Knights have started slowly in the first halves of their past two games, getting outscored 47-21. UCF rallied to defeat TCU 35-34 on Sept. 14 but never recovered in a mistake-filled, 48-21 loss to Colorado at home last Saturday — even though they had more total yards on offense than the Buffaloes.

    And Knights coach Gus Malzahn said after the loss to Colorado, “We’re not the best catch-up team.”

    It’s only one loss so far this season, but Malzahn challenged his team to find a way to get better and said they are going to find out this week who the Knights are as a team.

    “The way we played (against Colorado), we need to redeem ourselves,” Malzahn said.

    To be successful, the Knights will have to get their running game revved up. Top rusher RJ Harvey, who rushed for 448 yards in the first three games, was held to 77 yards against Colorado. Myles Montgomery did not play after getting banged up against TCU, and although Malzahn said he wants to get back on the field, the coach would not say whether Montgomery would play against the Gators.

    UCF also will have to find a way defensively to put some pressure on Florida’s offense. Gators quarterbacks Graham Mertz and DJ Lagway combined for 277 passing yards and three touchdowns, and Mertz scrambled for 24 yards against Mississippi State.

    Gators coach Billy Napier said he believes the team got better during its off week.

    Florida worked on its technique, fundamentals and tightening up its defense, he said. That will be required to stop the combination of UCF quarterback KJ Jefferson and the Knights’ running backs, he said.

    “This is a big one. There’s no doubt about that,” Napier said.

    The state’s top-ranked team, No. 8 Miami, will hit the road for the first time this season and head way out west to California.

    In their last Atlantic Coast Conference game, the Hurricanes escaped with a 38-34 victory against Virginia Tech after a confusing series of rulings by officials eventually concluded that the Hokies did not complete a pass to score a touchdown on the final play of the game.

    The key matchup will be Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward, who has passed for 1,782 yards and 18 touchdowns and rushed for 146 yards and two more touchdowns so far this season, against California’s defense, which has held its opponents to 287.5 yards per game in total offense.

    In Tallahassee, Seminoles coach Mike Norvell’s seat is getting a little warm, at least as far as the fans are concerned, in the first year of a new eight-year contract he signed in January.

    Saturday’s matchup against 15th-ranked Clemson is unlikely to help. The Tigers seek to stay perfect in the ACC this season, and the Seminoles have only won one game. That 14-9 victory did come against ACC foe California at home Sept. 21. Technically, the game is Clemson’s first road game, though its opener against Georgia was at a neutral site.

    The Tigers have given up more than 400 offensive yards a game, and the Seminoles will be breaking in a new starting quarterback, redshirt freshman Brock Glenn. 

    USF has a bye week.

    Here’s a look at this week’s games:

    Saturday

    Clemson (3-1) at Florida State (1-4), 7 p.m., ESPN

    The Tigers, who are undefeated in the ACC so far this year, are not exactly the team the Seminoles want to see this week after getting thumped by new conference member SMU 42-16 last week. FSU will start Brock Glenn at quarterback for the first time because coach Mike Norvell says DJ Uiagalelei, who had struggled all season, will be out for an undesignated period of time with a finger injury. Meanwhile, the Seminoles’ run game is the fourth-least productive in the country. Clemson, which started the season with a 34-3 loss to No. 5 Georgia, has won all its games handily since then and is 2-0 in ACC action.

    UCF (3-1) at Florida (2-2), 7:45 p.m., SEC Network

    One of the teams not feeling great about itself this week is going to feel better at the end of the night. The Knights are coming off a 48-21 defeat by the Colorado Buffaloes. After going into the game as a 14-point favorite, UCF struggled to score, and quarterback KJ Jefferson threw touchdown passes to running back RJ Harvey and wide receiver Xavier Townsend but also had two interceptions and a fumble. The Knights moved the ball but couldn’t score, and their secondary gave up 418 yards of offense, including three passing touchdowns. The Gators, meanwhile, had a bye week and the time to watch the Knights’ struggles. They are coming off their second win of the season, a 45-28 rout of Mississippi State, and are feeling more confident. Against the Bulldogs, the Gators’ two quarterbacks — Graham Mertz and DJ Lagway — completed 92.8% of their passes and threw for 277 yards to 10 different receivers. Plus, the game is in The Swamp at night, so UCF will have to deal with a lot of noise from the Rowdy Reptiles, who are still upset that the Knights beat their team in the 2021 Gasparilla Bowl. The game will be a homecoming for Knights wide receiver Trent Whittemore, who transferred to UCF from Florida.

    Miami (5-0) at California (3-1), 10:30 p.m., ESPN

    The eighth-ranked Hurricanes are cruising through the season so far, but three of their victories came against Florida A&M, Ball State and USF, and they opened with a 41-17 victory against struggling Florida. When Miami faced ACC foe Virginia Tech last week, it only won by four points. Quarterback Cam Ward threw for 343 yards and four touchdowns but also had two interceptions. The bad news for Cal is its only loss this season came against FSU. The good news is the Bears had a week off to prepare for the Hurricanes, and they will play at home.

    USF is off

    Starting quarterback Byrum Brown will have an extra week off after requiring medical attention and leaving the 45-10 loss to Tulane in the third quarter. The Bulls are going to need it because next up is Memphis (4-1), which topped FSU 20-12 on Sept. 14.

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  • FOX brings Big Noon Kickoff to UCF vs. Colorado; USF hits road for Tulane

    FOX brings Big Noon Kickoff to UCF vs. Colorado; USF hits road for Tulane

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    FLORIDA — Quarterbacks will take center stage Saturday afternoon in Orlando, and the Fox Big Noon Kickoff will be at UCF to get festivities started Saturday.

    The Colorado at UCF matchup features some interesting highlights, including a meeting of the two transfer signal-callers.

    The Buffs come in at 3-1 with a 1-0 start in conference play, led by quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Coach Deion Sanders’ son ignites the Colorado offense and is second in the Big 12 in passing with a 67.9% completion rate and 11 touchdowns.

    The Knights are led by their own new quarterback, KJ Jefferson, an Arkansas transfer. Jefferson has led the Knights to a 3-0 mark while throwing for 563 yards and five touchdowns after a shaky Week 1 win.

    The Knights and Buffaloes have never met on the gridiron.

    UCF coach Gus Malzahn recruited Sanders out of high school, when Malzahn was at Auburn.

    “You’ve got to put pressure on him. There’s no doubt,” Malzahn said. “You can just tell he’s a veteran guy. You can tell he stays calm. You can tell he’s a smart guy, too.”

    Other state squads also are playing important league games.

    Seventh-ranked Miami is venturing into Atlantic Coast Conference play, hosting Virginia Tech on Friday.

    FSU, which at 1-3 finally picked up its first win of the season last week against Cal, plays at ACC newcomer SMU, which is 3-1 with victories against Nevada and TCU and its only loss coming against BYU.

    USF (2-2) seeks to rebound from its 50-15 spanking against Miami by traveling to take on a tough American Athletic Conference opponent, Tulane, team in New Orleans.

    Florida is off.

    Here’s a look at this week’s games:

    Friday

    Virginia Tech (2-2) at No. 7 Miami (4-0), 7:30 p.m., ESPN

    Can anyone slow down the red-hot Miami Hurricanes offense, led by quarterback Cam Ward, a transfer out of Washington? The Canes have scored 209 points in four contests this season. The Miami defense has allowed just 41 points so far, giving up three touchdowns with a shutout mixed in.

    That may not bode well for a Virginia Tech team that has already suffered tough losses this season to the likes of Vanderbilt and Rutgers.

    Saturday

    USF (2-2) at Tulane (2-2), Noon, ESPNU

    The Bulls once again find themselves in bounce-back mode after a second loss to a top-10 ranked team. But the Green Wave won’t exactly be a pushover for USF. After defeating Tulane in 2017, USF has dropped three consecutive meetings, by an average of 23 points. The Bulls will have to get its offense on track and score some points to keep up with the Green Wave’s 35 point-per-game-plus offensive attack.

    Colorado (3-1) at UCF (3-0), 3:30 p.m., FOX

    The Buffaloes are coming off a 38-31 overtime thriller last week against Baylor, a team that rallied for an improbable comeback against the Knights last season. The game could give an indication on how much UCF has improved for Big 12 play in its second season. Colorado tailback Dallan Hayden is expected to return from injury Saturday, and safety Shilo Sanders hasn’t been ruled out despite having surgery on his arm just over two weeks ago. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders is averaging 335 passing yards per game. For UCF, running back RJ Harvey is leading the offense after three games, averaging 149.3 rushing yards per game and scoring eight touchdowns. The outcome could come down to which team manages the distractions of Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff coming to town and Hurricane Helene, which stirred up some nasty weather in the days leading up to the game. It’s a blackout game for the UCF faithful.

    FSU (1-3) at SMU (3-1), 8 p.m., ACC Network

    Florida State fans are hoping last week’s 14-9 win against Cal gives the ‘Noles some much-needed confidence. The offense still seems sluggish and mostly out of sync, but quarterback DJ Uiagalelei looked sharper on some deep balls in the win. But every bit of offense may be needed to counter the Mustangs, who have already posted 59- and 66-point games this season. The Seminoles need a win this week because their upcoming schedule includes No. 17 Clemson, at No. 7 Miami and at No. 16 Notre Dame over the next six weeks.

    Florida is off

    While the Knights are in action, the Gators have an entire week off to get the Swamp stirred up as they try to avenge their 29-17 loss to the Knights in the 2021 Gasparilla Bowl.

    Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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  • USF faces another tough test against No. 8 Miami, and UF and FSU just need a win

    USF faces another tough test against No. 8 Miami, and UF and FSU just need a win

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    FLORIDA — When USF takes on No. 8 Miami on Saturday night, up to 60,000-plus fans may be settled in at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. 

    Though not a record — that was 69,383 in 2012 to see USF-Florida State — it’ll be a raucous environment as the Hurricanes continue their return to prominence behind transfer quarterback Cam Ward. Now an early-season Heisman favorite (9-to-2 odds), Ward is enjoying a 73% completion percentage with 11 touchdowns during Miami’s 3-0 start. 

    USF (2-1) had a nice bounce-back win at Southern Miss last week after its toe-to-toe tangle with No. 4 Alabama (until the game’s last 10 minutes) in Tuscaloosa turned into a 42-16 loss.   

    The Bulls will need their frisky defense to put in another workmanlike effort and plenty of points from quarterback Byrum Brown and USF’s offense to earn a signature win. 

    Meanwhile, Florida (1-2, 0-1 in Southeastern Conference) will play at Mississippi State (1-2), one of the few soft spots remaining on what many consider the toughest schedule in the country. Both teams are looking to get on the winning track in the SEC.

    The most interesting aspect of this game could be whether a loss to the struggling Bulldogs would mean the end of coach Billy Napier’s tenure after 29 games. 

    It would be unlikely so early in the season, but stay tuned. 

    FSU (0-3), meanwhile, is still looking for a victory and is a slight favorite against Cal, a new member of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Surprisingly, it’s the Golden Bears entering the contest undefeated at 3-0, including a win against Auburn. 

    FSU last was 0-4 three years ago in Coach Mike Norvell’s second season (2021). 

    UCF is off after an improbable 35-34 comeback win at TCU last week kept the Knights (3-0) among the unbeaten.

    Here’s a look at this week’s games: 

    Saturday, Sept. 21

    Florida (1-2, 0-1 in SEC) at Mississippi State (1-2, 0-0), noon, ESPN 

    Florida quarterback Graham Mertz was part of a Wisconsin team in 2021 that started 1-3 before winning seven in a row and making the Las Vegas Bowl, so there is still hope for the Gators. Once again, he and freshman DJ Lagway are expected to share time taking the snaps against Mississippi State. Florida coach Billy Napier departed Florida Field on Saturday to a round of boos as he entered the tunnel to the locker room. The good news for him and his players is they are on the road. Napier continues to urge his players to block out the noise and focus on game preparation and details so they can get a win. Defense might hold the key for both teams. Florida is giving up an average of 407.3 yards per game, which is last in the SEC. Mississippi State is 15th, averaging 388 yards allowed per game.

    No. 8 Miami (3-0) at USF (2-1), 7 p.m. ESPN

    Cam Ward is the first Miami quarterback to throw for at least 300 yards in each of his first three games as a Hurricane. USF will need a repeat of its effort against ‘Bama two weeks ago, when it took a one-point game into the fourth quarter before the dam broke. USF coach Alex Golesh said the expected environment is what he envisions for the future of his program. A win Saturday night would be a big step in that direction. USF is 1-5 all-time against the Hurricanes, winning 23-20 in 2010. 

    California (3-0) at Florida State (0-3, 0-1 in Atlantic Coast Conference), 7 p.m., ESPN2 

    Yes, this a conference game for the beleaguered ‘Noles and the upstart Bears. FSU needs all the offensive positivity it can muster, with just 25 points scored collectively in its past two games and few splash plays coming from its new-look offense with transfer quarterback DJ Uiagalelei. He is completing 56.6% of his passes with just one touchdown, and FSU fans have started chanting for backup Brock Glenn. FSU is 124th in scoring offense, averaging 15.3 points a game. The good news for the Seminoles is offensive coordinator Alex Atkins will return to the sideline after missing the first three games of the season for a suspension related to a recruiting violation.

    UCF (3-0) is off this week.

    Knights running back RJ Harvey will get some rest this week after being named Big 12 Conference Offensive Player of the Week and Doak Walker Award National Running Back of the Week following his three touchdowns and 209 all-purpose yards against TCU last week. Next up is Colorado on Sept. 28 at FBC Mortgage Stadium.

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  • UF, UCF kick off conference play; UM is on a roll and FSU, USF look to rebound

    UF, UCF kick off conference play; UM is on a roll and FSU, USF look to rebound

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    The Gators, Knights, Bulls, Seminoles and Hurricanes have new types of challenges in Week 3 of college football season.

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  • Wait is over: Most college football teams in Florida kick off season this week

    Wait is over: Most college football teams in Florida kick off season this week

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — It’s officially Week 1 for the college football season.

    And the Sunshine State will see its share of the action during the Labor Day weekend.

    Sure, Florida State was a part of the Week 0 kickoff, albeit a disappointing 24-21 loss to Georgia Tech that has dropped the Seminoles six spots in the AP Top 25 Poll, down to No. 16.

    FSU (0-1) will try to get back on track this week; UCF and USF both open up at home this weekend with Football Championship Subdivision teams, and No. 19 Miami and Florida have a highlight spot in the holiday schedule, squaring off Saturday night in Gainesville.

    A closer look at the games

    Thursday, Aug. 29
    New Hampshire at UCF, 7 p.m., ESPN+

    The Knights bring a lot of new looks this season, including offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach Tim Harris Jr. and defensive coordinator Ted Roof. Last year’s coordinators — Darin Hinshaw and Addison Williams — remain on staff. Overall, the Knights have more than 40 transfers. A new quarterback, fifth-year transfer KJ Jefferson out of Arkansas, will line up behind center. However, RJ Harvey is back to lead a strong running back group for UCF’s rushing offense that was ranked fourth in the nation last season with 228.2 yards per game.  And coach Gus Malzahn added to that group with Peny Boone out of Toledo and Myles Montgomery from Cincinnati to go with returning speedster Johnny Richardson. New Hampshire went 6-5 last season and is 21-14 under coach Ricky Santos.

    Saturday, Aug. 31
    No. 19 Miami at Florida, 3:30 p.m., ABC

    In the not-so-distant past, this game would have been one of the most heralded in the country, but both teams have struggled to get on track the past few seasons.  Florida coach Billy Napier has an 11-14 record, and Mario Cristobal is 12-13 at Miami. Nevertheless, it’s an intrastate rivalry, and players who are familiar with one another will want bragging rights, and it’s the first game of a home-and-home series. Quarterbacks could play a major role. Miami will start Washington State transfer Cam Ward, who threw for 3,736 yards with 25 touchdowns and ran for eight touchdowns in 2023. The Gators return Graham Mertz, who threw for 2,903 yards and 20 touchdowns. Napier will bring the most experienced and skilled team since he became coach.

    B-CU at USF, 7 p.m., ESPN+

    The Bulls begin Year 2 under Coach Alex Golesh with a stellar playmaker in junior quarterback Byrum Brown, who threw for 26 touchdowns and ran for another 11. The Bulls’ quick-strike offense also returns top runner Nay’Quan Wright (8 TDs a season ago) and record-setting receiver Sean Atkins (92 receptions and 7 TDs in 2023). Raymond Woodie Jr. is entering his second season as coach after the Wildcats went 3-8 last season. It’s unclear if the team has named a starter at quarterback. Tylik Bethea and Luke Sprague are back from last year’s team, and Micah Bowens transferred in from Charlotte.

    Monday, Sept. 2, 7:30 p.m., ESPN
    Boston College at No. 16 FSU (0-1), 7:30 p.m., ESPN

    The Seminoles will look to bounce back and avoid slipping to 0-2 in conference play. The Seminoles looked listless at times during the loss to Georgia Tech in Ireland, with new quarterback DJ Uiagalelei failing to spark sustained drives. The Seminoles’ defensive line was viewed as one of the Atlantic Coast Conference’s best but did not record a sack and allowed Tech to run at will last Saturday. FSU scored easily on its first drive, but the offensive line could not clear the way for the rushers after that. But the Seminoles can stay in the playoff hunt if they get back on track. “We’ve got to take a step as a football team and not let this one game define the outcome of what our season will be,” FSU coach Mike Norvell said.

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  • UCF defensive tackle Walker to miss ‘extended period’ with injury

    UCF defensive tackle Walker to miss ‘extended period’ with injury

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    ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — As the University of Central Florida prepares to open its 2024 college football season on Thursday night, coach Gus Malzahn confirmed Monday that sophomore defensive tackle John Walker will be out for “an extended period.”

    What You Need To Know

    • UCF football opens its 2024 season Thursday at FBC Mortgage Stadium

    • The Knights will be without defensive tackle John Walker for “an extended period,” coach Gus Malzahn said

    • Walker, a standout from Osceola, has a lower extremity injury, Malzahn said

    • Thursday’s game will mark the first at UCF for quarterback KJ Jefferson, a transfer from Arkansas

    Malzahn said only that Walker, who committed to the Knights out of Osceola High School, has a lower extremity injury and that he “hopes” they will be able to get him back before the end of the season.

    Walker, 6 feet 4 inches tall and 310 pounds, played in all 13 games and started one for UCF last season. He totaled 24 tackles, including 14 solo and five tackles for loss.

    With Walker out, redshirt senior Daylan Dotson out of UT-Martin moved into the Knights’ depth chart for the game.

    Malzahn added that redshirt senior tight end Jordan Davis out of Sanford Seminole is out for the season with an injury. He missed all but one game last season because of an injury, but Malzahn said Davis wanted to come back and give it another try.

    The rest of the team is healthy, Malzahn said.

    The Knights will face Football Championship Subdivision foe New Hampshire in their opener, which will kick off at 7 p.m. EDT Thursday at FBC Mortgage Stadium. The game is sold out.

    Malzahn said he respects New Hampshire, which went 6-5 last season in the Coastal Athletic Association, and is hoping that the Knights can avoid shooting themselves in the foot with mistakes this season. That was a key focus for the Knights during fall practice, as Malzahn said repeatedly that the mistakes of last year’s team frustrated him.

    “I want us to play good, team football,” Malzahn said. “I want us to be sound on offense without all the penalty crap … I want us to be sound on defense.” 

    Malzahn said he also wants to hear the crowd “say woo” a little bit.

    The game will mark the UCF debut of quarterback KJ Jefferson, a fifth-year transfer out of Arkansas. John Rhys Plumlee, the Knights’ quarterback the past two seasons, graduated and is working to try to earn a position on the Pittsburgh Steelers this fall.

    Jefferson said the Knights, who have more than 40 transfers on the roster this season, are not at the top of their game yet, but that they are working to get better every day.

    “We’re out there fighting for the same thing, and we’re heading in the same direction,” Jefferson said.

    He said he will be looking to get the team in a rhythm early and play UCF-brand football.

    The Knights also posted their depth chart for Game 1 on X Thursday, but Malzahn said it’s not set in stone for the season.

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  • Gators begin Napier’s 3rd fall camp with revamped staff, hope for winning season

    Gators begin Napier’s 3rd fall camp with revamped staff, hope for winning season

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    GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida coach Billy Napier took a significant swing at solving his program’s problems this offseason. He revamped his defense, his special teams, his strength and conditioning program and even hired a new team nutritionist.

    What You Need To Know

    • The University of Florida’s football team began fall practices Wednesday

    • Coach Billy Napier has made major changes to his coaching staff and overhauled the program

    • The goal is to finish with a winning record after three losing seasons in a row

    • The Gators open their season against Miami on Aug. 31 in the Swamp

    Although the results of Napier’s make-or-break moves won’t be evident for months, defensive end Justus Boone was ready to show the effects as Florida opened its fall football camp this week.

    “If I take this shirt off, I’m ripped up,” Boone said.

    Boone and the Gators will wait for their season opener against in-state rival Miami on Aug. 31 at the Swamp to unveil whatever progress they’ve made heading into Napier’s third season in Gainesville.

    This is much is clear: Napier didn’t hesitate to retool every floundering aspect of his program following Florida’s third consecutive losing season, the last two under his watch. Napier is 11-14 in two years in Gainesville, a stint that includes consecutive losses to Kentucky and a 1-7 mark against rivals Georgia, Florida State, LSU and Tennessee.

    Napier fired two defensive assistants two days after a season-ending loss to the Seminoles in November and then essentially benched 30-year-old defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong, special teams coordinator Chris Couch and strength coach Mark Hocke in the weeks that followed. All three remain on staff but are no longer in charge of anything.

    Veteran coach Ron Roberts is now running the defense. Former NFL assistant Joe Houston is directing special teams. And Tyler Miles is heading the strength program. Napier also retooled the nutrition side and promoted Russ Callaway to co-offensive coordinator.

    The importance of those moves was evident when Napier brought Roberts, Houston, Miles and Callaway to media day.

    “We’ve got to go execute our formula,” Napier said. “We haven’t quite done that in all parts of our team.”

    Roberts is tasked with fixing a unit that allowed 38.2 points a game in five consecutive losses to end the season. The Gators managed just 22 sacks — their fewest since 2013 — and three interceptions en route to missing a bowl for just the third time since 1990.

    Houston is assigned with eliminating a variety of special-teams gaffes that have plagued the program, culminating with botching a late-game situation against Arkansas in which the field goal unit ran onto the field while the offense was lining up to spike the ball.

    The illegal substitution penalty that followed resulted in a 5-yard loss and seemed to be the difference in Trey Smack missing a 44-yard field goal with seconds left. The game went into overtime, and Florida lost 39-36.

    Houston installed a “launch pad” on the sideline to help moving forward. The mat has a circle for each special-teamer to stand in. It should prevent the Gators from lining up with too many or too few players.

    “It’s essentially a sideline huddle,” Houston said.

    Miles’ impact is already being felt. The Gators have 62 players topping 20 mph in sprints and 45 guys lifting more than 300 pounds in the weight room, dramatic improvements from the previous two years.

    “ ‘Finish’ is a word that’d been used quite a bit this summer,” said Napier, whose team dropped close games to Arkansas, Missouri and FSU in November. “I think how we train just might be the difference.”

    He also said he wants everyone who is part of the organization to feel like they can make an impact and to take accountability for the team’s success.

    “We want every single person who is part of the team and the organization to feel as if their role just might be the difference and for them to come to work every day and take pride in that role,” Napier said Wednesday.

    Although Napier will continue to call plays, he’s giving Callaway more input and responsibility. Callaway’s approach is straightforward and simple: get the ball in the hands of your best players, most notably sophomore receiver Eugene Wilson III.

    Wilson will be as important to Florida’s offense as anyone, including returning quarterback Graham Mertz, senior running back Montrell Johnson and highly touted dual-threat quarterback DJ Lagway.

    All four opened training camp Tuesday by checking into an on-campus dorm, a drastic change from last year’s posh hotel, a day before training camp opened.

    “We’re trying to create an old-school feel to training camp where they appreciate when they move back into that nice apartment here in a couple of weeks,” Napier said.

    Maybe, just maybe, old-school results might follow. The Gators were picked to finish 12th in the 16-team Southeastern Conference, a prediction that quickly found its way back to Florida’s locker room.

    “We’re not worried about trying to prove anybody wrong,” Boone said. “We’re just looking to prove ourselves right. We just want all our work to not go in vain.”

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  • Rays’ Paredes named to AL reserves for All-Star Game

    Rays’ Paredes named to AL reserves for All-Star Game

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Third baseman Isaac Paredes has been named to represent the Tampa Bay Rays in the Major League Baseball All-Star Game on July 16.

    What You Need To Know

    • Tampa Bay third baseman Isaac Paredes has been named to the AL reserves for the Major League Baseball All-Star Game

    • He is the only Rays player headed to the game 

    • The selection is Paredes’ first to baseball’s summer classic

    • Paredes leads the Rays in homers and runs batted in so far this season

    Paredes, 25, was one of four picks by the Commissioner’s Office of players whose teams were not already represented among the starters, pitchers or other reserves. The others are pitchers Tyler Anderson of the Los Angeles Angels and Logan Gilbert of the Seattle Mariners and shortstop Carlos Correa of the Minnesota Twins.

    Paredes is leading Tampa Bay in home runs with 14 and in runs batted in with 47 so far this season. He has a .358 on-base percentage and a .266 batting average, with 83 hits and 34 runs scored in 85 games.

    He and first baseman Yandy Diaz are tied for the team lead in doubles with 17, and Paredes ranks second in walks with 38. 

    This is Paredes’ first time on an All-Star roster. He is in his third season with the Rays since being acquired from the Detroit Tigers before the start of the 2022 season.

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  • Mosley to coach, Suggs to play for 2024 Team USA Basketball Select Team

    Mosley to coach, Suggs to play for 2024 Team USA Basketball Select Team

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    ORLANDO, Fla. — Magic coach Jamahl Mosley will coach the USA Basketball Men’s Select Team for a second year in a row and Orlando guard Jalen Suggs was selected to play for the team, which will train with the USA Basketball Men’s National Team as it prepares for the 2024 Olympic Games Paris 2024 next month.

    What You Need To Know

    • Orlando’s Jamahl Mosley will lead the coaching staff for the USA Basketball Men’s Select Team in July 

    • Magic guard Jalen Suggs was selected to play for the team, too

    • The select team will work with the USA Olympic team as it prepares for the 2024 Paris Games

    Plans call for the select team to work with the Olympic team head-to-head for the first three days of practice — July 6 through July 8 — in Las Vegas. What typically happens at that point is a handful of select teamers will be invited to remain with the Olympic team and travel with them to Abu Dhabi, where Olympic preparations will continue with more practices and two exhibitions.  

    Duke signee Cooper Flagg, the consensus national high school player of the year out of Montverde last season and a prospective top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, also was named to the Select Team. The other members of the Select Team are NBA champion Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard, Miami Heat guard Jaime Jaquez Jr., Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren, Golden State Warriors teammates Trayce Jackson-Davis and Brandin Podziemski, Houston Rockets teammates Jabari Smith Jr. and Amen Thompson, Charlotte Hornets guard/forward Brandon Miller, New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy, Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray, Utah two-way player Micah Potter, Nigel Hayes-Davis of Turkish club Fenerbahce and longtime USA Basketball standout Langston Galloway. 

    A common attribute of most of the Select Team members is their gritty defensive player as the USA men try to get ready for the physical play of international basketball.

    Mosley, who was also head coach of the USA Basketball Men’s Select Team in 2023, served as an assistant coach on the 2021 USA Basketball Men’s Select Team and as an assistant coach at the 2018 USA Basketball Men’s National Team minicamp.

    Indiana Pacers assistant coach Jim Boylen and Purdue coach Matt Painter will be on Mosley’s staff. They’ll work in concert with the Olympic team coaching staff — head coach Steve Kerr of Golden State, assistants Erik Spoelstra of Miami, Tyronn Lue of the Los Angeles Clippers and Gonzaga’s Mark Few.

    Suggs, 6 feet 5 and 212 pounds, played and started in 75 regular-season games last season with Orlando, averaging 12.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists and a team-high 1.41 steals in 27 minutes per game. He shot 39.7% (153-for-385) from 3-point range. Suggs was named to the 2023-24 NBA All-Defensive Second Team after tying for eighth in the NBA in steals and 12th in steals-to-turnover ratio (0.80, 106/132).

    Magic forward Paolo Banchero played for the 2023 USA Basketball Men’s National Team that placed fourth in the 2023 FIBA World Cup but is not playing this year. That team included many of the NBA’s rising stars as the league’s more experienced standouts declined to play.

    For the Paris Olympics, many of the league’s longtime established stars — including Warriors guard Steph Curry, who has never played on an Olympic team — said they wanted to play for the national team and were selected.  Many of this year’s national team members, such as Lakers forward LeBron James and Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant, have played for the United States on previous gold medal-winning Olympic teams.

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    Associated Press

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  • Pride extend unbeaten streak to 13 games in draw with Courage

    Pride extend unbeaten streak to 13 games in draw with Courage

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    CARY, N.C. — The Orlando Pride remained one of two unbeaten teams in the National Women’s Soccer League this season with a scoreless draw on the road against the North Carolina Courage.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Orlando Pride and North Carolina Courage played to a 1-1 tie Saturday

    • The match marked the first time a team has earned a point in North Carolina this season

    • The draw boosted Orlando’s unbeaten streak to 13 games

    • Anna Moorhouse made five saves to get fifth clean sheet of the season

    The draw extended the Pride’s unbeaten streak to 13 games. The point is the first point earned by a visiting team against the Courage in the 2024 season. 

    Haley Hopkins had a good chance for North Carolina (5-7-1) from the center of the box in the 26th minute, but Pride goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse made the save. Minutes later, Moorhouse stopped another shot from Ashley Sanchez.

    Moorhouse, who has five clean sheets for the 8-0-5 Pride this season, finished with five saves — including a kick save in a one-on-one situation with a Courage forward in the 33rd minute. Courage goalkeeper Casey Murphy also made five saves for her fifth shutout.

    “The positives are the point on the road is probably something we would have taken before the game,” coach Seb Hines said. “No other team has done that against North Carolina. A clean sheet as well, shutout. It is really important to start to get that going as well. After the game, it is almost a bittersweet taste in our mouths because we felt like we played really well. We were really aggressive in our press and caused a lot of troubles to North Carolina and a lot of turnovers. I think, after all of it, we have to reward ourselves with a goal. We had countless amount of opportunities to score, and I think, on another day, we take them. That will probably be the reflection this week going into the Utah game next week.” 

    The game was delayed by about a half-hour because of field maintenance at Cary’s WakeMed Soccer Park.

    The KC Current are the other unbeaten team.

    The Pride’s next game is at 8 p.m. Friday at Inter&Co Stadium against the expansion Utah Royals (1-10-1).

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  • Dawkins signs 2-year contract extension with UCF basketball

    Dawkins signs 2-year contract extension with UCF basketball

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    ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Basketball coach Johnny Dawkins has signed a two-year contract extension with the University of Central Florida that continues through the 2026-27 season, Vice President and Director of Athletics Terry Mohajir announced Friday.

    The university did not announce financial terms of the contract.

    “I love being here at UCF and am forever grateful for the opportunity this university has given me,” Dawkins said in post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

    In late March, Jeff Goodman of The Field of 68 had reported that UCF had offered Dawkins an extension, but said at the time that the sides still were working on contract details.

    Dawkins is 148-103 in his eight seasons as UCF’s coach, completing the 2018-19 and 2016-17 seasons with 24 victories each. He has led the Knights to postseason tournaments in four of those seasons, including reaching the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 2019 after beating VCU 73-58.

    The Knights just missed knocking off top-seeded Duke in the second round when a tip-in at the buzzer rolled off the basket. The team also has played in three NIT Tournaments under Dawkins. The team has only finished under .500 in one season, 2020-21, with Dawkins as coach.

    After the 2022-23 season, Knights forward Taylor Hendricks was drafted No. 9 overall by the Utah Jazz after his freshman season.

    The 2023-24 season was UCF’s first in the strong Big 12, and the Knights won seven conference games in the regular season, including victories against Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas Tech, when those teams were ranked in the Top 25. UCF also beat Oklahoma State in the league tournament.

    “If you were one of the record-setting number of people who attended our home games this season, you saw firsthand how we competed under Johnny’s leadership in our first season in the nation’s toughest basketball conference,” Mohajir said. “Johnny has done a great job leading this program and we’re excited he will continue to be our head coach.”

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  • Speights joining basketball coaching staff at USF

    Speights joining basketball coaching staff at USF

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    TAMPA, Fla. — Former NBA and Florida Gators power forward/center Mareese Speights is joining the University of South Florida’s college basketball staff as director of player development, the program announced.

    Speights, a native of St. Petersburg, played 10 seasons in the NBA after being drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 16 overall pick in 2008. He also played for the Memphis Grizzlies, Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, and he spent his last season in the league with the Orlando Magic. He went to the NBA playoffs in seven postseasons, including with the Warriors team that won the championship in 2015.

    After completing his NBA career, Speights played for the Guangzhou Loong Lions of the Chinese Basketball Association from 2018 to 2021.

    During Speights’ two seasons with the Gators, he played on the team that won its second national championship in the 2006-07 season under then-coach Billy Donovan.

    Most recently, he was an assistant coach at Georgia Southern.

    The move to USF is a return home for Speights, who played high school basketball at Admiral Farragut in St. Petersburg. Speights also played at Gibbs High School and Hargrave Military Academy.

    The Bulls also hired Luke Moeller as a video coordinator. He had been a graduate assistant for the Bulls the past two seasons.

    USF finished the 2023-24 college basketball season with a 25-8 record and for a short time was ranked No. 25 in the AP college basketball poll in Amir Abdur-Rahim’s first season as coach. The Bulls advanced to the second round of the NIT, where they fell to VCU.

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