Hurricane Milton could impact Florida’s travel and preparations for their upcoming game against Tennessee in Knoxville, Gators head coach Billy Napier said on Monday. Napier mentioned that discussions regarding the hurricane’s potential effects were held on Sunday and Monday, and the team is prepared to adjust if necessary.
The No. 9 Volunteers (4-1, 1-1 SEC) will host Florida (3-2, 1-1 SEC) at Neyland Stadium on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN. Tennessee won the last meeting between the two teams in Knoxville, 38-33, in September 2022.
Florida is currently operating on a normal schedule ahead of the game. However, with Hurricane Milton, now a Category 5 storm, expected to hit Florida’s west coast on Wednesday, the situation remains fluid. Napier emphasized the importance of being ready to adapt, saying they have contingency plans in place and are monitoring the situation closely.
Hurricane Milton, with sustained winds of 175 mph, rapidly intensified from a Category 2 to a Category 5 on Monday. Florida plans to stick to its typical travel schedule and head to Tennessee on Friday.
Napier credited the football operations staff, led by Joshua Thompson, for their readiness in handling such situations. He also mentioned the support from the University Athletic Association as they prepare for any disruptions.
This isn’t the first time Florida has been affected by hurricanes. In late September, Hurricane Helene impacted the state and parts of East Tennessee and Western North Carolina.
Florida enters the game on a two-game winning streak, following victories over Mississippi State and UCF after starting the season 1-2. The Gators beat the Bulldogs 45-28 on September 21 and narrowly defeated UCF 24-13 on October 5 after a bye week. They also secured a 45-7 win over Samford earlier in the season but suffered losses to Miami (41-17) and Texas A&M (33-20).
