Florida football has officially added Furman University to their 2028 schedule, setting up a nonconference matchup that brings head coach Billy Napier full circle.
Napier played quarterback at Furman, where he led the Paladins and built the foundation for his coaching career. Now, nearly three decades later, he’ll face his former program from the opposing sideline.
The matchup is slated for Saturday, Sept. 2, 2028, and will be played inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
The Gators football program has a 7-2 record against Furman football, with their most recent meeting in 2011 resulting in a 54-32 Florida victory.
With this new addition to the 2028 schedule, the Gators continue to fill out a non-conference slate that already includes matchups against the Colorado Buffaloes, Arizona State Sun Devils and the annual rivalry game against the Florida State Seminoles.
As the SEC weighs future changes–most notably a possible shift to a nine-game conference schedule–the structure of out-of-conference games like this one could become increasingly significant. Matchups such as the one against Furman offer flexibility while giving the Gators a chance to fine-tune early in the season.
For Napier, the 2028 showdown will mark a meaningful return to his college roots. For the Florida Gators, it’s another key step in crafting a balanced, competitive and high-profile long-term football schedule.
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida football to play Billy Napier’s alma mater, Furman, in 2028
