UF’s arduous, frustrating journey from Utah comes to a conclusion with a multi-hour diversion for the Gators.
The Florida football team’s journey to Utah was already a lengthy and excruciating experience, but the return flight on Friday made matters worse.
The journey back home after Thursday night’s humiliating 24-11 loss to the No. 14 Utes was extended by more than three hours due to bad weather in Gainesville.
Pilots were forced to reroute the team’s aircraft charter from Gainesville Regional Airport to Jacksonville International Airport due to the approaching storm system. After buses from UF were assembled to transport the travelling group back to Gainesville, passengers had to wait more than an hour on the tarmac.
The Gators’ flight left at 9 a.m. MST on Friday and was scheduled to arrive at 3 p.m. after covering 2,200 miles. Rather, at around 6:30 p.m., the team arrived at the Heavener Football Training Centre.
The Florida football team’s flight back to Utah on Friday was even more agonising than the team’s already long and arduous trip to Utah.
Due to terrible weather in Gainesville, the trip home after Thursday night’s demoralising 24-11 loss to the No. 14 Utes was delayed by more than three hours.
The team’s aircraft charter had to be rerouted by pilots from Gainesville Regional Airport to Jacksonville International Airport because of an impending storm system. Passengers had to wait more than an hour on the tarmac while buses from UF were gathered to return the travelling group to Gainesville.
The Gators’ planned arrival time was 3 p.m., after travelling 2,200 miles, and their departure time was 9 a.m. MST on Friday. Instead, about 6:30
The Gators will now play three straight games at home, starting on Saturday against McNeese at 7:30 p.m. UF plays rival Tennessee in the SEC season opener one week later.
Florida has a long list of issues to address following its cancellation in Salt Lake City.
The Gators made one of thirteen third-down conversions, gave up five sacks while recording none, and twice cost UF scoring opportunities in the red zone due to penalties.
“Achievement. The theme is that; that’s the word, according to quarterback Graham Mertz. That’s what I must observe in myself. I have to be honest with myself about that. I must see it in every situation.
