Florida improved to 6-6 and earned bowl eligibility after it defeated Florida State last Saturday, 24-21.
After a tough season where the Gators fired head coach Dan Mullen following a Missouri loss in overtime, they elected to accept an invitation to a bowl game under interim head Greg Knox.
On Sunday, it was announced Florida will face off against Central Florida in the Gasparilla Bowl on Dec. 23 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.
The Gators and Knights last played each other in 2006. Both sides agreed to a two-for-one series starting in 2024, when Florida will first host UCF in The Swamp.
UF trekked to Raymond James Stadium once this season, where it knocked off South Florida, 42-20.
Despite the absence of current head coach Billy Napier, younger players on Florida’s roster will have the chance to prove themselves in extra practices leading up to the bowl game.
The Gasparilla Bowl will air on ESPN.
Contact Zachary Huber at zhuber@alligator.org. Follow him on Twitter @zacharyahuber.
